Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne Pepper:  here’s to your health

Cayenne is a popular spice used in many different regional styles of cooking, but it has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cayenne is often referred to as chili, which is the Aztec name for cayenne pepper. The main medicinal properties of cayenne are derived from a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient which gives peppers their HEAT. Generally, the hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. In addition to adding heat to the pepper, capsaicin acts to reduce platelet stickiness and relieve pain. Other constituents of cayenne are vitamins E, vitamin C and carotenoids.

1. This herb is a great food for the circulatory system in that it feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries so that these regain the elasticity of youth again, and the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal. It rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and heals the stomach and intestinal ulcers; in equalizing the blood circulation, Cayenne produces natural warmth in your body; and in stimulating the peristaltic motion of the intestines, it aids in assimilation and elimination.
2. Cayenne regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that the pressure is equalized; it influences the heart immediately, and then gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries, and nerves.
3. Cayenne is useful in alleviating allergies, muscle cramp, improving digestion, gives more pep and energy, and helps wound healing with minimal scar tissue.
4. Cayenne is a counter-irritant; it brings blood to the surface and allows the toxins to be taken away.
5. This is a medicine of great value in the practice, and may be safely used in all cases of disease, to raise and retain the internal vital heat of the system, cause a free perspiration, and keep the determining powers to the surface. The only preparation is to have it reduced to a fine powder. For an internal cleanse, take from half to a teaspoonful in hot water with lemon juice sweetened to taste with maple syrup if necessary.
6. Cayenne is an excellent remedy for a cold; also excellent for sore throat and coughs.
7. Capsicum is very soothing; it is effective as a poultice for rheumatism, inflammation, pleurisy, and helpful also if taken internally for these.

As a child growing up in New York, I enjoyed playing in the snow for hours of sledding.   Even though we were bundled up, to the point we could hardly walk in our snow suits, our feet would get cold.  We use to put cayenne pepper in our boots to keep our feet warm.   In massage school, a fellow therapist who had very cold hands all of the time started taking Cayenne pepper internally to heat her up so her hands would not be cold during services.