Herbal Series - Cayenne...some like it hot!

Capsicum annuum, or Cayenne pepper as it is commonly called is a moderately hot chili pepper. Cayenne peppers are tapering fruits, 10 to 25 cm long, skinny, mostly red-colored peppers, often with a curved tip and somewhat rippled skin. There are many varieties, most are rated at 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. The heat is the thing with cayenne. The benefit as an herb and super food derives from it's ability to bring the FIRE!
Dried and ground to make the powdered spice, culinary blends may be comprised of different types of peppers, quite often not containing cayenne peppers. Which is fine for cooking spicy dishes, but when it comes to use as an herb/super food, you want the real thing.
Cayenne ranked as renown Herbalist, Jethro Kloss's number one "go to" herbs. Added to herbal tinctures cayenne promotes an increase in the function of other herbs, a boosting power. This fire stoking herb is an adaptogen, in that it can stimulate and calm. For example in cases of low blood pressure, cayenne will increase the blood pressure and stimulate vitality in one who is listless. On the other hand, when someone is suffering with high blood pressure and anxious, cayenne provides a relaxing influence! The mysterious world of medicinal plants!

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Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper

• Anti-Irritant - Irritation can happen in the body for any number of reasons. Toxic diet, illness, and environmental pollution, pollen, just to list a few. Ironically, cayenne will "put out the fire" and calm the body by affecting the nervous system. It works like a hot bath for your body, from the inside out! Nothing works so well to ease an upset stomach, soothe sore throats, calm coughs, and stop diarrhea.
• Decongestion & Anti-imflammatory - Cayenne pepper aids in breaking up and moving congested mucus. So, whether your suffering from bronchitis, a cold or planning a detox you can count on cayenne to help break up cellular debris, breakdown bio-film and clear away congestion and inflammation. Add cayenne pepper to a poultice for increased action, excellent when use with castor oil poultice to decongest the liver and gall bladder. Learn more about poultices. Cayenne is excellent remedy for asthma. If nothing else is available a few shakes of true cayenne pepper in hot water will reduce severity of asthma attacks.
• Antimicrobial - When it comes to defense against harmful organisms, cayenne is a proverbial surgical flame thrower. In vitro tests have found that CAY-1, a compound found in cayenne peppers, effectively suppressed the development of 16 different fungal strains, while remaining completely non-toxic to animal cells. Inside and out, no matter where a bacterial infection is seated cayenne topically or internally will clear microbial infections. It is an excellent remedy for a troubled gut!
• Pain Relief - Cayenne pepper stimulates dopamine production which is helpful for relieving pain, but additionally it's heat factor actually stimulates a pain response. This action depletes nerve cells of substance "P" (a nerve pain chemical) which is needed for pain to subside. Very handy property. Taken internally for overall body pain, or used locally as a tincture cayenne takes the pain away. 
• Digestive Aid - Cayenne stimulates the digestive tract by increasing enzyme production and gastric juices. With a lack of gastric juices and enzymes, digestion is hampered, detoxification is incomplete and the body becomes overburden with waste. Cayenne pepper is also helpful for relieving intestinal gas. It stimulates intestinal peristaltic motion making it an excellent support for those with chronic constipation. Jethro Kloss used it to heal stomach ulcers. With it's antimicrobial properties, ability to stimulate gastric fluids, reduce inflammation, hard as it is to believe the heat heals!
• Promotes Cardiovascular Health - Cayenne pepper helps reduce atherosclerosis, encourages fibrinolytic activity, and prevents factors that lead to the formation of blood clots, all of which can help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Stabilizes blood pressure as well.
• Promotes Longevity - Data collected from almost half a million people worldwide found that those who ate spicy foods had a 14% chance of living longer than those that didn’t. Researchers also found that regular consumption of chili peppers equated to reduced rates of death from respiratory disease, heart concerns, cancer.
• Improves Metabolic Function - Scientists at Laval University in Quebec found that participants who took cayenne pepper for breakfast were found to have less appetite, leading to less caloric intake throughout the day. Cayenne is also a great metabolic booster and aids the body in burning excess fat.

The bottom line on this fiery, red hot herb...put it to use! Best source for cayenne for cooking is the bulk department at a natural foods stores or on-line. Check to make sure it has it's Latin botanical name, Capsicum annuum. Look for liniments and pain relieving ointments that contain capsicum, the phenol of cayenne peppers. Capsules are the best method for taking internally. 1-2 capsule per ingestion are more than sufficient, up to 6 - capsules per day depending on the condition you are wanting to improve.

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