Cayenne Pepper
(Capsicum Minimum)

Cayenne pepper is a small shrubby plant that grows in Africa and tropical America.  They have long, pointed leaves and bear wheel-shaped flowers that have five petals.  Cayenne is also commonly called African Bird Pepper, and is used in making hot sources and powder.  Cayenne has a strong, burning taste.

Cayenne is used by herbalists to treat many complaints including colds, flu, hoarseness, lumbago, diarrhea, constipation, and hemorrhoids.  As a daily tonic, it is very effective in protecting the immune system to throw off the invading factors causing disease.

Medicinal Properties:

Stimulant

Astringent

Nervine

Cardio-tonic

Rubefacient

Energetics

Hot energy with hot, pungent taste

Meridians and Organs affected

Kidneys-adrenals, heart, liver

Chemical Constituents:

Capsicine

Turpentine ether

Rectified spirit

Traditional Uses

Cayenne has been used to stimulate the heart and drive circulation of the blood.  Because of its ability to dilate blood vessels, it is suited for African-Americans who are suffering from high or low blood pressure.  Two capsules of the powder can be taken two or three times a day.

The powder or tincture of cayenne can be rubbed on toothaches, swellings and inflammations.  It is an excellent remedy for arthritis by rubbing a little cayenne tincture over the inflamed joint and wrapping a red flannel around it overnight.  The pain is usually gone by morning.

The haemostatic action of cayenne makes it a powerful agent in stopping internal bleeding when taken orally, or when applied topically to cuts.  Through this herb has many medicinal uses, it should be used with caution.  Too much cayenne can cause injury to the kidneys and cause blood in the urine.

Traditional Formulas

Cayenne, Juniper berries and Uva ursi combination (used for lumbago).

Please consider all information in this review to be in the context of giving general information about a condition, substance or remedy.

Master Herbalist Tariq Sawandi is pleased to receive health questions from our subscribers and will respond accordingly.  Please write to: Dr. Tariq Sawandi (aka D. Williams), Bldg. 3B04-210, (D47495), P.O. Box 3466, Corcoran, CA 93212.