Cayenne

Cayenne

Scientific name: Capsicum minima

Native to: Caribbean & Central America

Part used: Fruit

In a word: Circulatory stimulant

Uses: Too many to list!

Every cell in your body depends upon blood for survival. Blood brings the cells the food they need to do whatever it is they do and it also takes away the waste the cell creates in the process of doing its job. The cells of the skins’ oil glands need blood delivered energy to make the oil that keeps our skin soft. The cells in the bone marrow that cranks out white blood cells, immune cells, need lots of blood delivered to them. The cells that make up the glands that produce digestive enzymes to digest our food need blood to do their job. Every cell in the body needs blood and the body is made up of cells.

You may be asking yourself what does this have to do with Cayenne pepper? Simply put, cayenne pepper opens up the blood vessels and gets the blood pumping to all the places it needs to go. Cayenne pepper insures all the cells in the body get the blood they need. Not surprisingly, this useful pepper is used to treat just about whatever ails you. Bearing in mind the fundamental level at which it works, this is not surprise!

The useful cayenne pepper is used to treat just about whatever ails you.

Cayenne has been used to fire up the circulation since the beginning of time. The plant is native to the Caribbean and Central America. The Native Americans were the first to use it. The Colonials had not been in the Americas long when introduced to the fruit and its curious power to make ones mouth burn in a big way. But, since the beginning, it has been seen as an herb with the capacity to get the blood coursing through the body at an increased rate. The sweat glands start producing sweat on the forehead for this very reason. A quick review of the words found in the classic medical text, Kings Dispensatory, published in 1898, reveals all the potential uses of this very interesting herbal medicine:

"Capsicum is a pure, energetic, permanent stimulant, producing in large doses vomiting, purging, pains in the stomach and bowels, heat and inflammation of the stomach, giddiness, a species of intoxication, and an enfeebled condition of the nervous power. The infusion is much used in colds, catarrh, hoarseness, etc.

In atonic dyspepsia and catarrhal gastritis it stimulates the nerves of the stomach, promotes the secretion of the digestive juices, and assists peristaltic motion. As an internal remedy some have advanced the theory that it is destroyed during digestion. Perhaps when ingested with food, this may be partially true, but, if so, how do we account for this remarkable activity in sustaining the nervous system when given in delirim tremens and the power it has in steadying the patient and promoting sleep. That its effects are partly due to its stimulating action upon the gastric membranes is unquestionable, but its entire effects can not be due to this cause alone. The same may be said of its action in congestive intermittent and remittent fevers. Some have thought to attribute its action in congestive chill to its effects upon the solar plexus. It forms an excellent addition to quinine in intermittents, where there is a deficiency of gastric susceptibility, and it has been asserted that but on half the quinine will be needed when combined with capsicum.

Capsicum is the very best agent that can be used in delirium tremens. It enables the stomach to take and retain food, and the best form of administration is a strong beef tea, or strong soup made hot with red pepper. There is no danger of giving an overdose, as a wonderful quantity (even a drachm of red pepper) may be swallowed with evident pleasure and without ill results by a confirmed dipsomaniac. In the atonic dyspepsia of dipsomania it takes the place of alcoholic stimulants, removing the craving of alcoholics and a sense of sinking at the pit of the stomach, prevents the morning sickness and vomiting, restores gastric tone and promotes the digestion of wholesome food. It should be administered whenever the desire for a drink comes. Prof. Locke recommends for delirium tremens doses of 10 to 40 grains of capsicum every 3 hours, or liberal doses of compound tincture of myrrh and capsicum.

Capsicum is said to reduce irritation and increase capillary activity in chronic renal congestion. It affects the bladder and rectum similarly and may accordingly be a remedy for diarrhea, constipation, piles, and in dysentery, where the stools are bloody, the mucous tenacious, with tenesmus and burning, and associated with tenesmic action of the bladder. These cases are those in which there is a lax habit of body with feeble digestion. Other indicated remedy may be given with it. For hemorrhoids with torpor, constipation, or relaxation, it is a good remedy.

Capsicum should not be forgotten in low fevers, where there is dryness and constriction of the tissues, and the tongue is dry and harsh and there is but little buccal or salivary action. Here it is a very valuable adjuvant to other indicated drugs. Though a stimulant, the general circulation is but little increased by capsicum. Paralytic states, without organic lesions, and with great digestive and nervous torpor, are often greatly improved y capsicum. In Asiatic cholera and angina pectoris, with cold extremities, cool perspiration, and great nervous prostration, it is asserted a saving agent.  Capsicum meets the debility of young and old, but is particularly useful in old people when the body heat is low, vitality depressed, and reaction sluggish. Tired, painful muscles, stiffened joints, and relaxation of any part are common conditions in the elderly that are, in measure, rectified by capsicum. Homeopathists suggest its use in pneumonia when abscesses threaten. Flatulence in dyspeptic states may be dispelled by capsicum."

The doctors that worked with it new Cayenne to be a very interesting herbal medicine!

What comes clear from the past is that cayenne works on two levels. The first is it increases circulation, opens up the blood vessels and gets blood flowing. Secondly, it acts on the nervous system. Its use in steadying the nerves of an alcoholic in withdrawal strongly suggests it does something to the nervous system. One of its other uses was to block the pain of a tooth gone bad! Though not thought of as a painkiller today, its history suggests it might be one!

Practitioners Opinion

When it comes to increasing circulation, there could be no better agent than cayenne. It works efficiently, as a food and as a medicine. Whenever poor circulation is at the root of the problem, 'think about cayenne' is the word from practitioners.

Quick Review

History: Used by Native Americans to rouse circulation

Science: Capsaicins are largely responsible for its activity

Practitioners’ Opinion: Works well!

Dosage: Tincture: 1:20, 60% alcohol - 20 drops three times a day