Cayenne Pepper Tabasco Pepper
Capsicum frutescens
The “Herb of Fire”

Family: SOLANACEAE

My first real experience with Cayenne Pepper was when Fergus and I went on holiday to Tasmania and I learnt a lot about this magnificent “Herb of Fire”. We had read how effective Cayenne was in stabilizing body temperature so we started taking it a month before we went on holiday knowing it would be cold. We took a dessert spoon in water every day; at first it was not a pleasant experience but after 3 days it was a lot easier to take once our bodies had learnt that this was beneficial. Within a week we could walk outside naked and not feel the cold. This was in winter in Northern NSW and the temperatures were not much above 0°C.

We went to Tasmania in July (midwinter - the coldest time) and we didn't feel the cold. While we were there we augmented the Cayenne with a teaspoon of powder in each sock at the beginning of the day which gave our feet an enduring cosy warm glow throughout the day.

Cayenne Pepper is made from the dried pods of hot chili peppers and originated from the West Indies and South and Central America. These peppers are a member of the Capsicum family, and contain a compound called capsaicin. Jalapeno peppers are also very high in capsaicin.

The Latin name for Cayenne Pepper is Capsicum frutescens.. Cayenne Pepper is antibiotic, antifungal, anti-spasmodic, astringent and carminative. It is a stimulant without being an irritant like black pepper. Cayenne pepper also helps other herbs to work more effectively when taken at the same time; it is a “herbal catalyst” whose presence directs and promotes the therapeutic effects of other herbs. Cayenne Pepper is easy to grow and needs an phosphorous-rich organic compost to make them thrive. Cayenne grows into a small shrub up to 2 metres so leave adequate space for them to grow when planting them. For the gardeners out there if you have any bush turkeys or other animals destroying your garden just sprinkle Cayenne around the areas you want to protect. I know because I have done it with bush turkeys that have visited Middle Path.

The capsaicin in Cayenne Pepper is known to alleviate sinus congestion, fight infections, lower cholesterol, helps pain and headaches and is effective in healing ulcerations. It aids in cleansing and rebuilding digestion, improves circulation and is well known for stopping internal and external bleeding as well as boosting the immune system.

Cayenne helps to thin the blood - it acts as a blood-thinner similar in effect to aspirin which is recommended to prevent thrombosis on long plane flights.

The high vitamin C content makes this herb very effective in clearing up colds and flu. I find it quite common sensical that a plant with such a heat-imparting property is such an effective healer for a condition called "cold".

Cayenne strengthens the heart and cleanses the lymphatic system and bowel and stimulates the kidneys which produce energy and power to the whole system. It is a tonic for the whole body and is used for healing conditions such as

Arthritis Rheumatism Fibromylagia Cramps

Cancer Weight reduction Stomach aches Gas bloating

Heart disease Yellow fever Fever Gangrene

Cayenne Pepper has also been used with success in treatment for health conditions such as:

angina alcoholism asthma atherosclerosis bleeding gums blood clots bowel diseases bruises diabetes diabetic neuropathy duodenal ulcers elevated triglycerides fatigue food poisoning free radical activity frost bite frozen limbs hardening of the arteries heart pains

heart failure head congestion heart arrhythmias heart attack heart disease heatstroke hemorrhaging herpes zoster hypertension inflammation impotence indigestion influenza itching joint pain laryngitis lumbago menstrual cramping motion sickness

mouth sores multiple sclerosis muscle aches nerve inflammation neuralgia night blindness obesity pain peptic ulcer poor appetite psoriasis respiration disorders sea sickness shingles sores stomach ulcers toothache wounds

Generally you would take ¼ teaspoon 3 times per day in juice or water to achieve benefits for the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, lungs and heart.

Cayenne increases the blood flow and allows more oxygen to get to the cells. Detoxifies the system and promotes good health. It stimulates the entire body and if you need a bit more motivation or passion cayenne will light your fire. Cayenne Pepper is a rich source of beta carotene, calcium, potassium, zinc, rutin, iron and Vitamin C and Vitamin E, no wonder Cayenne is known as a “Master Herb”. Recently Scientists have discovered that capsaicin attacks the mitochondria of cancerous cells without causing harm to healthy cells. Research done by Gow-Chin Yen and Chin-Lin Hsu suggested that capsaicin reduced obesity by preventing immature fat cells (adipocytes) from developing into mature cells. Start introducing Cayenne Pepper into your diet slowly starting with one cup of cayenne tea once or twice daily consisting of 1/8 of a teaspoon to one cup of boiling water add honey and some lemon and ginger if you like. You can increase the amount to 1 teaspoon when your body starts getting used to it.

You can add Cayenne to your daily food and spice up your avocado and other dips, taco, sauces, eggs, tomatoes and a pinch in salad dressings. Topically Cayenne is used in the treatment of neuralgia , pain, psoriasis and shingles. Externally, Cayenne can be used as a poultice, stimulating the blood flow to the area to reduce inflammation and ease painful joints. Here are 3 recipes for home-made cayenne-based potions which are economical and very effective: To make a powerful liniment for sprains and chest congestion: gently boil 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper in ½ litre of cider vinegar. Bottle unstrained whilst it is hot. To make a muscle rub: mix a little crushed Cayenne pepper with rubbing alcohol and apply. To make a salve: add 1 tablespoon of Cayenne Powder to a small jar of lanolin or olive oil and mix well, and let it stand for a few weeks shaking it daily. For dieters it has been suggested that adding 6 to 10 grams of cayenne to a meal or 28 grams to an entire day's diet reduces hunger after meals and reduces calories consumed during subsequent meals.

By adding Cayenne into your diet you will boost your whole system, feel great and add some real spice into your whole life experience. The “Herb of Fire” is also well-known to restore motivation, passion and drive in situations where these qualities are lacking.

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from the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism:

Capsicum frutescens L SOLANACEAE Tabasco Pepper Cayenne Pepper Cayenne was classified as C. minimum by Roxburgh, but is generally known as C. frutescens. It is the species which is used medicinally, and it is still included in many national pharmacopocias. Traditionally it came from Cayenne in French Guiana. Description Perennial shrub to 2 m; trunk becoming woodY, 7.5 cm diameter. Leaves various, usually elliptical, 2 cm long. flowers white in groups of 2 or 3, 5 mm - 1 cm wide. Fruit small and oblong. Distribution Tropical and subtropical countries. Cultivation Wild in parts of South America and southern India; cultivated elsewhere. Constituents Capsicin,. capsicain; alkaloids; vitamin C; palmitic acid. Uses (dried ground fruit) Stimulant; spasmolYtic. antiseptic. rubefacient. Used in flatulence, colic and to improve both the peripheral circulation and digestion. Occasionally employed as a liniment in neuralgia or rheumatism. Weak infusion of benefit as throat gargle. Contra- indications Large doses are an extreme irritant to the gastro-intestinal system.

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