Health Benefit of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum)

Health Benefit of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum)

Capsicum annuum
Solanaceae
Cayenne pepper (also known as chili or red hot pepper,Guinea spice,cow-horn pepper, aleva, bird pepper,) is the fruit of Capsicum annuum, a shrub that grows to three feet high.It’s in the Solanaceae family, also called the night shade family. Related plants in this family include potato, eggplant, and tomato.

The potent, hot fruit of cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping pains, and gas. Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation). Rubbed on the skin, cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed a counterirritant effect. A counterirritant is something which causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such asjoint pain in the case of arthritis).

It is a very high source of Vitamins A and C, has the complete B complexes, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, which is one of the reasons it is good for the heart.If a heart attack should occur, it is suggested that a teaspoon of extract be given every 15 minutes or a teaspoon of Cayenne in a glass of hot water be taken until the crisis has passed. The hotness comes from a chemical called capsaicin, which is also one of the botanical’s principal therapeutic substances.

Eating cayenne pepper may also be helpful for weight maintenance and decreasing insulin resistance (in pre diabetes and diabetes).

But since cayenne is quite hot, this pepper may cause pain and discomfort in people with gastric or peptic ulcers.