Cayenne Pepper
(also referred to as...)
Chilipepper, Hot Pepper
Latin Name: Capsicum frutescens
Family: Solanaceae
Description
There are about ten wild species and four or five domesticated species of shrubby, annuals, biennials and perennials that are included in this tropical American genus. Capsicum peppers were first described in 1493 by Dr. Chauca, a physician on Columbus's voyages. Cayenne peppers were introduced from South America to India and Africa by the Portuguese. African bird pepper (Capsicum fastigiatum) is the nearest thing to the original wild plant and is considered the most important medicinally.
Cayenne fruit varies in size, colour and pungency. Pods are conical shaped and up to 10cm long, green, yellow to red in colour. They grow to 1 metre or more in height and have a woody stem at the base. Leaves ovate to lancelot in shape, with drooping flowers that are white to yellow in colour and appear singularly, in pairs or triplets and are attached where the branches fork.
Cayenne is found in tropical South America, Southern India and Africa. It is now cultivated around the world. It prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Several insects may damage growing points and leaves and plants under cover may be affected by spider mites, whitefly, and aphids.
Unripe fruits are picked as required and used raw, pickled, or cooked. Ripe fruits are picked in summer and used fresh, pickled or dried in the shade for condiments, decoctions, ointments, powders, tinctures, tablets, liniments, and oleoresin.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Cayenne has been referred to as the purest and most certain stimulant in the herbal materia medica.
Cayenne acts as a counterirritant for pain control. It can be applied topically as a "hot-pot" application or you may also use capsaicin cream or ointment in concentrations of 0.025-0.075%. The cream may also be applied topically to treat arthritis, post surgical amputation, neuralgic pain, cluster headaches, and diabetic neuropathy. NOTE: Cayenne may cause a burning sensation and skin redness during the first few applications.
Cayenne acts as a digestive stimulant and can be used for poor digestion. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant due to its carotene content. It is also useful for a variety of cardiovascular problems.
Use cayenne to treat psoriasis. Apply topically as a cream or ointment to reduce and eliminate lesions.
If you have a cold, sip cayenne tea. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per cup of hot water or in a foot bath: 1 to 3 tablespoons in hot water over ankles for 5 to 20 minutes. Use caution due to extreme heat sensation.
Cayenne also stimulates the cooling centre of hypothalamus to produce cooling effect in the body. Use in food.
Source
Fruits (Peppers)
Preparations
Creams and Ointments: .025% to .075%.
Foot Baths: Add 1 to 3 tablespoons to hot water over the ankles.
Hot Pot: Add 1 pod/250g pure melted beeswax.
Infusion: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried herb to one cup hot water.
If treating poor circulation, cayenne can be combined with ginkgo biloba, ginger, and bilberry.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Always wear gloves when handling cayenne and avoid contact with eyes and broken skin
Tolerance to this herb varies widely among individuals. Children and persons not able to tolerate burning sensation should avoid this herb.
Excessive doses may cause severe irritation of the mucosae, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cayenne can be very irritating without redness. It can affect nerve endings, producing pain but not causing blisters.
Ailment / Situation Listing
