Kitchen Herbs and Medicinal Uses - Cayenne Pepper

An important spice for culinary dishes is Cayenne pepper. Native Americans also were known for Cayenne pepper for both food and medicine for thousands of years. Cayenne pepper has many vitamins such as A, C, E, beta carotene, choline, lutein as well as B1, B2, B6, K, folate, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous, and zinc. The hot, spicy taste of the Cayenne pepper is due to the capsaicin. This is the medicinal component of Cayenne pepper.

Topical ointments and creams can be made with cayenne pepper to be used as  a pain-relieving salve when applied to the skin. The capsaicin has been shown to help with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, joint and muscle pain from fibromyalgia, nerve pain from shingles, pain from some surgeries, pain from nerve damage in feet or legs in diabetics, and lower back pain. Salves with cayenne pepper can also help reduce itching or inflammation from psoriasis on the skin.

A truly important usage of cayenne pepper is for circulatory problems. The capsaicin has shown to help with atherosclerosis, reducing risks from irregular heart rhythm, reduction of blood pressure, blood thinning when used internally or blood clotting when used externally. Too much cayenne pepper can upset your stomach, but small doses can aid in heartburn. Some studies show that cayenne pepper can slow many and kill some certain cancer cells including prostate, skin, and pancreatic. Lastly, cayenne pepper can help with headaches by increasing blood circulation in the head and neck.

Cayenne pepper Poultice -

Lay a strips of gauze

Lightly cover with olive oil (castor oil drives the pepper in deep)

Sprinkle cayenne pepper over oil

Place coated gauze over affected area

Cover with plastic wrap

20 minutes - if “HOT” remove, can blister skin