CAYENNE PEPPER…By Deborah Stengel,FNTP
This medicinal beauty has a lot to offer us. Not only does it have “heat” (warming energetic) it
has health benefits you may not be aware of. Capsicum annuum also known as Cayenne produces those vibrant fruits of pepper that many people love, and a few avoid. After learning more, I think we will all agree there is something special here.
Cayenne has been used as a respiratory decongestant, a circulatory stimulant, and a diaphoretic to encourage sweating to break a fever. Some people find it to be a gastric irritant and it is true that you should avoid it if you live with GERD, have gastritis, SIBO, or find it to irritate GI mucosa. You should also know that it can be a gastroprotective herb, relieving gas, nausea, and diarrhea when not used in excess. There is, however, so much more to this systemic stimulant.
An exciting benefit of Cayenne is its ability to stimulate and enhance circulation to the
extremities, an option for the Raynaud’s Syndrome client. Other benefits are reported such as appetite regulation, pain relief, sore throat pain relief, blood pressure concerns and
detoxification (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayenne_pepper).
Consider for another use…Achy Joints and muscles! Here is the recipe: 2 ounces of fresh cayenne peppers, chopped finely, added to 1 cup olive oil. Simmer for 1 hour. Strain through cheesecloth. Dilute with more olive oil. Topical: 1 drop 3 x day over aching joint. If there is any irritation discontinue. Wash hands after applying to avoid open skin or contact with eyes. (https://www.arthritis-health.com/treatment/medications/capsaicin-cream-joint-pain).
Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism. Capsicum annuum. Rochester, Vermont. Healing Arts Press. 2003. Pg 536.
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