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Cayenne pepper

(Capsicum frutescens L.)

Uses. Properties. Constituents. ​

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) Uses. Properties. Constituents.

“Cayenne is the purest and most powerful stimulant, used medicinally and also as a condiment. This herb is a great food for the circulatory system. It feeds elements that may be lacking into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries to give them the elasticity of youth again, as the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal. 

When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the blood has a harder time circulating; therefore, higher pressure forces the liquid through. Cayenne regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that it is equalized. Cayenne (as a stimulant) is an activator, carrier, and accentuator.
Cayenne influences the heart immediately, then gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries, and nerves. The frequency of the pulse is not increased, but it is given more power. In equalizing the blood circulation, cayenne produces natural warmth, and in stimulating the peristaltic motion of the intestines, it aids in assimilation and elimination. It rebuilds the tissue in the stomach. It also heals stomach and intestinal ulcers.” – Dr. John R. Christopher.
Our ancestors have been using it as food and medicine for thousands of years!
Cayenne pepper is excellent for proper digestion as it has Sialagogue properties (stimulates the secretion of saliva) which is needed to begin the digestive process. Cayenne pepper also stimulates the flow of enzyme production, which is essential for our digestive system to work properly. It also stimulates gastric juices that aid the body’s ability to metabolize food and toxins.

Cayenne pepper is a powerful anticoagulant (prevents blood clots), therefore it is effective in preventing heart attacks. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper dilates arteries and blood vessels to clear away clots. Cayenne pepper regulates blood sugar, increases body temperature, stimulates the circulation and increases metabolism. Improves blood flow to the brain, hands, and feet and to the central organs. Lowers high cholesterol.

Common Names:

Capsicum, African Pepper, Chillies, Bird Pepper

Botanical Name:

(Capsicum frutescens L.)

Parts used:

dried fruit. oil (from the seeds).

Taste:

Hot!

Key actions: Stimulant, Carminative, Sialagogue (stimulates the secretion of saliva), Diaphoretic (promoting perspiration), Stomachic, Pungent, Astringent, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-septic, Condiment, Anti-rheumatic. Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Aperitif (encouraging appetite), Anticoagulant, Febrifuge (reducing fever), Nerve Tonic, Digestive,  Rubefacient (Stimulates capillary dilation and action, increases blood flow and causes skin redness. Drawing blood from deeper tissues and organs, thereby relieving congestion and inflammation)

Uses:  Poor circulation. Apoplexy. Migraine headache. Asthma. Alcoholism. Heart trouble and heart attacks. Gas and colic. Indigestion. Malabsorption. High Cholesterol. Fever. Heart Attack. Chronic inflammation. High and low blood pressure. Colds. Congestion. Constipation. Cough. Offensive breath. Tonsillitis. Toothache (oil). Typhoid fever. Ulcers. Vomiting. Arthritis. Fatigue. Inflammation. Kidney and related problems. Rheumatism. Strokes. Muscle pain.

Constituents:  capsaicin, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, flavonoids, fatty acids, sugars, volatile oil, alkaloids, carotene,  capsanthin. vitamin A,C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9

Growing:  Cayenne is a perennial plant grown in tropical climates. Very easy to grow from a seed. Its fruit – a many-seeded pointy pod comes in various shades of red and yellow. 

Harvest:  Gather the pepper pods when ripe, do not wash. Lay out in the sun until dried. Store as is or grind before storing in an airtight container in a cool and dark space.

Preparations: Cayenne is prepared into decoctions, infusions, ointments, powder, and tincture.
Decoction is rarely used, because some value is lost when cayenne is simmered for any period of time. The most common form of preparation is pouring water over the cayenne and letting it set. The infusion can be used with absolute safety.

Dietary tips:

Cayenne is a versatile spice that can be added to everything from fish to eggs, soups, casseroles, homemade dressing, sauces, dips and seasonings.

How to take Cayenne

The easiest way is to mix 1/4 tsp of ground cayenne pepper in 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and drink it 3 times a day. 

Children Dosage:

  • 6 – 12 months old – 1/10th of an adult dose
  • 1-6 years old – 1/3 adult dose
  • 7-12 years old – 1/2 adult dose

Safety:
“Cayenne is a remarkably safe herb even though this seems surprising given how painful it can be when applied to delicate tissues. The burning sensation that Cayenne produces is caused by nerve stimulation not by any physical harm to the tissues themselves. The ultimate proof of the truth of this statement is shown by what happens when Pepper spray is used as a weapon against a person. Even though it must feel like their eyes are being utterly burned and blinded there is clearly no actual damage or lasting harm done to these most delicate of tissues.” – Richard Whelan

Too much of anything can be a bad thing however and excess use of Cayenne may cause an overstimulation of the digestive tract. This said we again see the great paradox of Cayenne in that it has been used to treat stomach ulcers (the herb causes a reflex coating over the gut due to the increased secretions which can help the ulcer to heal). It is a very safe herb so long as it used wisely.

Science

    • In human research, cayenne supplementation for five weeks resulted in decreased symptoms associated with indigestion and dyspepsia (Bortolotti M, Coccia G, Grossi G, Miglioli M. The treatment of functional dyspepsia with red pepper. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002;16:1075-82)
    • Several clinical studies show that topically applying cream containing 0.05% to 0.075% capsaicin, the active constituent in Cayenne, temporarily relieves chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, jaw pain, psoriasis, and neuropathic conditions (Mason L, Moore RA, Derry S, et al. Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. BMJ 2004;328:991) (Basha, K. M. and Whitehouse, F. W. Capsaicin: a therapeutic option for painful diabetic neuropathy. Henry.Ford.Hosp.Med.J. 1991;39(2):138-140)
    • Cayenne has been shown to interact with a prostaglandin involved in pain transmission called substance ‘P’ and studies have shown that Cayenne decreases pain in patients suffering from nerve pain in their lower backs (Gagnier JJ, van Tulder MW, Berman B, Bombardier C. Herbal medicine for low back pain. A Cochrane review. Spine 2007;32:82-92)
    • Meyer-Bahlburg et al. conducted pilot studies on stimulant effects of Capsicum spices and found it brought about improvements in the ability to concentrate (Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F. Pilot studies on stimulant effects of capsicum spices. Nutr.Metab 1972;14(4):245-254)

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs that are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

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