Medicinal and Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

Medicinal and Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a red chili pepper often used in the preparation of spicy foods and is associated with a wide range of health benefits which most of us have unheard of. The chili originated in central and south America. It is named after the Capital city of the French Guiana, " cayenne". Cayenne is a nutritional and medicinal herb. It contains vitamins A, complete B, C, E, calcium, selenium, magnesium, zinc,  potassium and bioflavonoids. Scientifically it is known as Capsicum annum. Cayenne pepper played a very important role in Native American Medicine and cuisine for thousands of years.

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in cayenne peppers which gives it spiciness and hot properties. About 12% of cayenne pepper is composed of capsaicin and 80% of that is in its ribs and seeds. Among the hottest chili peppers include habanero, scotch bonnet, Indian Naga Jolokia and others like cayenne, chipotle, jalapeno are used in most countries around the world.

Ground chillies are 20 times more stronger than regular fresh pepper because it contains much more capsaicin. The heat of the peppers is inversely proportional to the size of the pepper so the tiniest peppers are usually the hottest. Chemist Wilbur Scoville developed a test to measure the hotness of peppers and is called scoville heat units (SHU). In general hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. Bell peppers contains little to no capsaicin.

Cayenne pepper is a powerful anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, cleansing herb that stimulates metabolism, circulation, neutralize acidity, heartburn, tremors, gout, paralysis, fever, dyspepsia, flatulence, sore throat, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, nausea, tonsilitis and diphtheria. Following are the health benefits associated with this wonderful spice you would love to stock in your kitchen cabinet.

1. Digestive aid : Cayenne stimulates the digestive system and increases the production of saliva,  enzymes and gastric juices , aids the body's ability to increase metabolism. It is a wonderful herb for relieving intestinal gas, stimulating peristaltic action and aiding in the assimilation and elimination.

2. Anti-inflammatory properties : Cayenne is a great herb for arthritis and inflammation of joints due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties,

3. Migraine headache prevention :  It stimulates the nerve endings to produce a substance P responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain and directs it to different part of the body and diminishes it and it reduces the blood to the brain and relaxes blood vessels there by reducing pain. Capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins in the brain which has a pain relieving effect similar to that of morphine. Cayenne tea in the morning can prevent headaches, including migraine. But if you need to stop one that has just getting started, snorting cayenne provides immediate relief.

4. Anti cold and flu agent : It thins the mucus and breaks it up for easy removal. Cayenne has antibacterial and immune enhancing properties too. Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in quercitin a bioflavonoid that prevents the release of histamines that cause inflammation ad flu symptoms. It kills infection and viruses that cause influenza.

5. Anti fungal properties : Cayenne can heal fungal  nail infections and hair dandruff  due to its strong fungal killing actions.

6. Anti-irritant properties : Cayenne has the ability to ease stomach upset, ulcers, sore throats, diarrhea etc. It relieves chronic cough and flatulence.

7. Anti- allergen : Cayenne pepper is a strong anti allergen due to its anti bacterial power and to strengthen intestinal permeability.

8. Prevents blood clots : Cayenne pepper prevents the formation of blood clots and help reduce chances of heart attacks and strokes.

9. Detox Support :  It stimulates your lymphatic and digestive functions, raises your body temperature and helps in detoxification. Your body sweat more and eliminates toxins through skin pores. Circulatory system is put in higher gear to bring toxins back to the liver for detoxification.

10. Saliva Production : As soon as you eat Cayenne rich meal saliva production is enhanced and result in improved digestion.

11. Pain reliever : Capsaicin a compound in cayenne pepper  that helps in the production of substance P responsible for  transmitting pain signals to the brain and when applied to the skin makes the substance unavailable to the joints and transfers the focus of pain towards skin and dilutes the intensity of pain . Medically Cayenne is one of the most potent pain reliever available and is regularly used to treat/ relieve the pain of arthritis, shingles, toothache and surgery scars.

12. Anti-microbial properties : Cayenne pepper is added to the food to prevent food-borne pathogens and reduces food spoilage too.

13. Anti-cancer agent : Numerous studies demonstrate cayenne pepper's ability to prevent various cancers particularly lung and liver tumors.

14. Great weight loss aid : Cayenne pepper suppresses appetite, reduce cravings and boosts metabolism and in return helps in maintaining healthy weight.

15. Topical Remedy : when used as poultice cayenne pepper works wonders to treat skin conditions like snake bites, skin rashes, eczema, rheumatism, wounds etc.

16. Toothache and gingivitis :  Toothaches are always caused by infection. Take a pinch of cayenne, a few drops of clove oil, a crushed garlic flake, and few drops of oil of oregano mix together and apply directly to and around affected tooth and keep it for 2-3 minutes. Do this 3 times a day and toothache will be a thing of the past.

17. Regulates blood glucose : Cayenne pepper can help regulate blood sugar levels after a meal. It makes you feel fuller faster, leading to reduction in calorie intake. According to a study appeared in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition eating a chili rich meal lowered post-meal blood sugars and insulin concentrations.

 18. Heals peptic ulcers :   It  is a long-standing myth that spicy food exacerbates ulcers and other stomach problems but research shows hot chili peppers actually protects the lining of the stomach and may prevent the damage caused by the anti-inflammatory pain killers. This is one of the best medicine that can be used liberally without any side effects. Cayenne can heal stomach ulcers by creating more mucus and coating the wall of the stomach. Thailand, Brazil and Mexico where cayenne is consumed liberally stomach ulcers, heart attacks and stroke are uncommon.

19. Cardio-vascular benefits : The School of Human Life Sciences has confirmed that regular use of cayenne pepper helps prevent the development of fatty deposits inside the artery walls.

20. Lowers Blood Pressure : Cayenne pepper relaxes blood vessels by secreting nitric oxide inside the lining of blood vessel cells and helps lower blood pressure. It blocks the action of a gene  responsible for producing renin and resulting in less production of Angiotensin2 that constricts arteries. It helps those who suffer from cold hands and feet.

21. Blood circulation Booster : It stimulates and improves the entire circulatory system including arteries, veins and capillaries.

22. Blood Clot Buster : Thailand Study confirms that cayenne pepper strengthens the body's blood clotting system and continually clears the blood of clots. It helps combat heart attacks, stroke by thinning the blood, increasing blood flow and extending blood coagulation time.

23. Hemorrhaging, open wounds and cuts : Used externally cayenne pepper is a vasoconstrictor, which means it tightens the blood vessels. On a open wound put copious amount of cayenne powder and hold it down with pressure for one minute. Within seconds small capillaries and large veins will slow or stop bleeding as well.

24. Fainting : When a person is feeling faint, light headed, and about to pass out, taking cayenne orally in liquid or powdered form will snap the person to attention, and can revive who has completely fainted and is unconscious.

25. Heart attack and stroke : A heaping teaspoon of cayenne powder in a glass of warm water, or 10 dropperfuls of cayenne tincture is needed to stop the heart attacks and strokes in its tracks or you can put tincture drops under the tongue.

26. Hair Regrowth : Hair loss or Alopecia is caused by poor blood circulation in the scalp. Cayenne pepper applied topically increases blood circulation. For best results mix two tablespoons of cayenne pepper with equal amounts of a quarter cup of each of ginger juice, coconut oil and onion juice and apply directly to the scalp every day.

27. Hemorrhoids : Hemorrhoids are the inflammation of the veins in the anus and rectum . Cayenne is extremely inflammatory and apply directly to the affected areas for best results. It will burn a little and itch but it works faster than ingesting.

28. Sore Throat :  Gargle with apple cider vinegar, a pinch of sea salt and cayenne pepper. It instantly kills the bacteria, virus causing sore throat and attracts blood toward the tonsils to help healing and clear the sinuses too.

29. Heart Burn :  Mix half teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink sip by sip for immediate relief from heartburn.

30. Mood Enhancer :  Taken internally Cayenne triggers the release of endorphins, the body's feel good hormones in the brain.

Gastroenterologist Dr Khursheed Jeejeebhoy   who is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto warns those patients who avoid hot chilies unnecessarily to heal the ulcers. There is no evidence that they have to do that. In fact there is a lot of evidence that cayenne is very good for you.

Dr Susan Biali a Vancouver based Dietitian " Chilies add wonderful flavour and kick to foods and have very few calories, boosts metabolism, help burn fat and keep us feeling full longer.

Susie Langley, a registered dietitian based in Toronto loves to spice up meals with small amounts of hot chilies.

Dr Richard Schulze " If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper". It is more powerful than any other.

Dr John R Christopher  commonly known as "Dr Cayenne" In 35 years of my practice, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in if they are still breathing I pour down them a cup of Cayenne tea( a teaspoon of cayenne powder in a cup of hot  water) and within minutes they are up and around. It acts as a catalyst and increase the effectiveness of other herbs when used with them." Cayenne certainly appears to be God's Natural "Nitroglycerine " used for heart attack patients.

Cayenne pepper has been known to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds. A 90 year old man in Oregon had a severe heart attack and was pronounced dead by Medics, his daughter was able to get Cayenne extract into his mouth and within a few minutes, he regained consciousness. Capsicum is said to be unequal for its ability to boost circulation and increase heart action.

                                  DISCLAIMER

THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS MEANT TO HELP AUDIENCE BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH CONCERNS. INFORMATION IS BASED ON REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA.

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE. CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THERAPIES, DIAGNOSIS AND/OR HEALTH CONDITIONS PRIOR TO MAKING THERAPEUTIC DECISIONS

 

SUKHWINDER BRAR

PRESIDENT

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION