Cayenne Pepper

Latin Name: Capsicum minimum
Family: Solanaceae

Part used: Fruit pods
Energetics: Very pungent, hot
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb

Acetylsalicylic acid
Ibuprofen
Meloxicam
Prednisone

Avoid alongside herb

Galantamine

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Acute gastritis
Urticaria
Acute inflammation
Take care with sensitive skin.
Those sensitive to Solanaceae family (Nightshades).

ACTIONS

Purest & safest stimulant known. Opens up every tissue for increased blood flow.
Analgesic
Antiseptic
Anti-inflammatory
Rubefacient
Diaphoretic
Styptic
Parturient
Prostatic tonic
Carminative
Digestive
Laxative
Vulnerary
Anti -bacterial
Anti-fungal
Anti-oxidant
Anti-neoplastic
Anti-platelet
Anti-viral

Main Constituents

Volatile oil 1.2% (Oleo resin alkaloids capsaicinoids)
Capsaicin
Flavonoids: luteolin, quercetin
Steroidal saponins: capsicidins
Vitamins: A, C, E, carotene
Minerals: Ca, Fe, P, K, S

Main Uses

Vaso-stimulant to the heart, arteries and capillaries, Cardio-vascular stimulant
Digestive System: Poor digestion, Improves appetite, Toothache
Bacteria: Bacillus, Clostridium, H. pylori, Pneumocystis, Streptococcus, Lyme disease
Viruses: Herpes zoster
Anti-trematode: Schistosomiasis
Fungal Infections: Systemic Candida, Aspergillus
Circulatory: Cardio-vascular stimulant, Stems all bleeding, Breaks down fibrin, Increases dermal flow
Nervous system: Headaches, Migraine, Neuralgia, Paralysis, Nausea
Musculo-Skeletal System: Rheumatism, Carpal tunnel
Endocrine: Encourages adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids
Immune System: Stimulate phagocytosis, Allergies, Lupus, ME
Reproductive System: Impotence, Post-partum haemorrhage, Infertility (encourages blood flow)
Harmoniser for other herbs.

More About Cayenne Pepper

Many of the old Naturopaths employed sweating and perspiration as a way of purging toxins from the body. Cayenne was employed for this method, due to its stimulating effects.
The herb is a great food for the circulatory system- it feeds elements that may be lacking, into the cell structure of the arteries veins and capillaries, to give them elasticity.
The active ingredient capsaicin acts upon the sensory neurons, para-sympathetic system and decreases pain transmission.
When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucous, the blood has a harder time circulating, therefore higher pressure forces the liquid through. Cayenne regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that it is equalised.
Cayenne actually helps to increase the effectiveness of other herbs, and will often be used in a formula to help synergise the remedy. It carries the benefits of the other herbs to their specific organs or tissues.
It is a fantastic remedy for any type of blood congestion such as chronic pelvic, renal and uterine congestion. It is also one of the best sore throat herbs, as well as helping to resolve fevers of all kinds, both acute and chronic.
It helps in cases of low vitality and weakened circulation by balancing the circulation and restoring and invigorating the tissues.

Recipes:

Detox Drink

Ingredients:

16 ounces of warm or hot water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon raw, local honey (optional)

Method:

Warm the water.
Mix all ingredients together.
Best served warm but drink at desired temperature.

Turmeric and Cayenne Pain Relief Balm

Ingredients:

Makes 2 x 80g jars of balm
125g Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
8g Turmeric Powder
8g Cayenne Powder
A pinch (0.25 g) ground black pepper
25 g Organic Beeswax Pellets
5 g Organic Cacao Butter

Materials:

Double boiler
Kitchen scale
Pyrex glass measuring cup
Mesh strainer
Cheesecloth
2 small glass jelly jars with lids
Spatula
Rubber gloves

*Note: Make sure to use gloves during the preparation of the turmeric and the cayennes as they can stain your skin and clothes
Method:

Weigh all of the ingredients on a kitchen scale.
Infuse the turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper and coconut oil in the top of the double boiler over the lowest heat setting for 1 hour.
Set up a Pyrex glass measuring cup with a mesh strainer and cheesecloth set inside to filter the oil.
Strain the oil through cheesecloth.
Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract all of the goodness.
Now, add the beeswax and cocoa butter to the double boiler and pour in the infused oil. Stir constantly and keep a watchful eye on the oils. You want them to just reach the melting point and not overheat.
When melted, immediately pour the balm into glass jam jars and allow to set untouched for 3-4 hours

Note:
Always spot test home recipes before using it on all of your body. To spot test, apply a little of this balm to the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours for a reaction.
Usage:
To use this balm to help with sore muscles, rub a little on the affected areas and massage it in well. Apply as needed up to 4 times each day. Do not apply to open wounds, burned skin, or rashes.
The turmeric will stain your skin, but if you rub it in well, it will just look like a golden glow. It does wash off your hands easily with some soap and gentle nail brush, but it will also fade from skin naturally within a few hours.
Turmeric can stain clothing so wear like-coloured clothes when you are using this balm.

References

Vascular and Metabolic Health

Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health.
Clinically, ingestion of capsaicin—or its less stable non-pungent analogue capsiate—has been shown to boost metabolic rate modestly. Topical application of capsaicin via patch was found to increase exercise time to ischaemic threshold in patients with angina.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477151/

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Analgesic effect of topical oral capsaicin gel in burning mouth syndrome.
Topical capsaicin might be an alternative for the short-term treatment of BMS.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28007005/

Improved Physical Performance

Acute Capsaicin Supplementation Improves 1,500-m Running Time-Trial Performance and Rate of Perceived Exertion in Physically Active Adults
In summary, acute capsaicin supplementation improves middle distance running (1,500 m) performance and reduced RPE in physically active adults.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29120986/

Antioxidant and Flavonoid Effects

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Relation to the Flavonoids Composition of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
We investigated the flavonoid content of C. annuum and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. We found that the PL extracts were more effective in increasing radical scavenging activity and ameliorating inflammatory responses by inhibiting the LPS-induced production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7602036/#sec5-antioxidants-09-00986title

Decreases appetite/Increases satiety

Cayenne pepper in a meal: Effect of oral heat on feelings of appetite, sensory specific desires and well-being
Adding cayenne pepper decreased hunger and increased satiety 1 h post intake.
Adding cayenne pepper lowered desire for salt and increased desire for sweet and fat.
Participants felt more energetic 1 h post intake of a meal added cayenne pepper.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950329317300666