© Carlos

Cayenne Pepper ~ Capsicum annum:

“The healing power of nature is in the blood and to accelerate the blood is to accelerate the healing power of nature and I am convinced that there is nothing that will do this like cayenne pepper; you will find it applicable in all cases of sickness.”

Priddy Meeks, pioneer doctor, Utah , 19th Century

“Cayenne pepper – prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history. Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb have been medically validated.

Dr Patrick Quillin - “The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper”

Cayenne is believed by many herbalists, to be the most useful and valuable herb in the herb kingdom. Their uses for it include the entire digestive system and the heart and circulatory systems. Cayenne acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other herbs when used with them. This is very important to note when combining it with other things. It is especially important to note that it increases the antibiotic effect of garlic which is also a heart strengthener.

Cayenne gets its name from a city located on the Cayenne Island at the mouth of the Cayenne River and is currently the capital of French Guiana . It has been called Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annum) all over the world and Guinea Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in England and throughout Europe ; although not a pepper it is a member of the nightshade family and the pepper pod is actually a berry! The natives of Central America originally called cayenne pepper “axi” which was translated from the Spanish “aji”. In Mexico City the chili was called “chiltli” and in about 1615 the word “chili” was derived from that Aztec name for “aji”.

CAUTION: Cayenne is a potent plant and needs caution when use for topical or internal uses. Any product that contains capsaicin has the “hot” properties of cayenne. After using any capsaicin products thoroughly wash your hands; avoid getting the product on or near the eyes, mucous membranes, or open wounds.

INTERNAL USE: Avoid excessive use internally as cayenne can inflame the lining of the stomach and intestines; it is possible to harm the kidneys with too much use.

Family Solanaceae – Latin for “quieting”; originally from South America and now enjoyed all over the world; cayenne is a nightshade plant; cayenne is related to tomato, potato, red/green bell peppers, eggplant, and the deadly nightshade henbane, also Jimson weed, petunia and tobacco. If you have allergies or intolerances within this family then you want to stay away from cayenne.

The greatest benefit of using cayenne in natural medicine comes from its ability to rapidly stimulate the circulatory system and deliver fresh blood and nutrients to the heart and other organs in the body. When it is used properly, cayenne opens up capillaries allowing vitalized blood to flow through and reach those areas that previously had poor circulation.

Cayenne stimulates circulation, aids digestion and is sudorific, which means it promotes sweating. Since perspiration cools the body, cayenne is good to help break fevers. It is believed in Asia and by master herbalists the world round that cayenne stimulates the kidneys, lungs, stomach and heart. Cayenne is also used as an antimicrobial to help control infections especially in the sinuses or lungs, even pneumonia. Cayenne can also help control heart disease risk factors, including high blood cholesterol and blood platelet aggregation. Topically cayenne is useful for pain relief, especially for arthritis.

The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin, which alters the action of substance P (a compound in the body). When topically applied, it may cause the skin to redden with inflammation producing a burning pain. Over time, this reduces, taking the original pain and inflammation away with it. Capsaicin is found in over-the-counter and prescription creams used topically to treat arthritis, the pain of shingles (herpes zoster), cluster headache, psoriasis and other skin conditions and is also good for wound healing after surgery.

Nutritionally Cayenne is very high in Vitamins A and C, has the entire B-complex of vitamins and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, making it good for the heart. All those looking for an easy way to create a healthier, more alkaline body can look into taking Cayenne . To make your body more alkaline, which reduces the likelihood of “bad bugs” taking hold, you need to have the right balance of calcium, and potassium to sodium, which Cayenne has in spades!

CAUTION: Cayenne is a potent plant and needs caution when used topically or internally. Any product that contains capsaicin has the “hot” properties of Cayenne . After using any capsaicin products thoroughly wash your hands; avoid getting the product on or near the eyes, mucous membranes, or open wounds.

Avoid excessive use internally as Cayenne can inflame the lining of the stomach and intestines; It is possible to harm the kidneys with too much use.

Extra Hot Cayenne

Family Solanaceae – Latin for “quieting”; originally from South America and now enjoyed all over the world; cayenne is a nightshade plant; cayenne is related to tomato, potato, red/green bell peppers, eggplant, and the deadly nightshade henbane, also Jimson weed, petunia and tobacco. If you have allergies or intolerances within this family then you want to stay away from cayenne.

Nutrient Information:

Not all varieties of Cayenne will yield the same amounts of capsaicin: Capsicum frutescens = 63.2 – 77.2 %; Capsicum annum (the variety used in the Blessed Herbs liquid herbal) = 36.9 – 56.1 % and Capsicum pubescens = 25.5 – 36.3 %.

Cayenne Pepper is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A ranges from 3350 IU per gram of cayenne for milder ones to 6265 IU per gram of cayenne for more pungent varieties.

Vitamin C: Cayenne frutescens = 7.3 mg/kg ; Cayenne annum = 12 mg/kg

Vitamin E = 100 grams of Cayenne yields 3 – 10 mg of alpha-tocopherol.

There are up to 16 amino acids in the different varieties of cayenne as well as calcium, phosporus, potassium and a trace of cobalt.

Cayenne ~ How Much and for What Problems?