by Tamara McIntee (Chartered Herbalist)
   
The most fiery herb of them all is cayenne pepper, one of the best stimulants in the herbal kingdom. The word cayenne comes from a Greek word that means ‘to bite’. The Latin name for this herb is Capsicum frutescens, commonly known as chili pepper or Tabasco pepper. Cayenne pepper grows well locally in a greenhouse with rich soil. Harvest fruits throughout the late summer until mid-fall.

Cayenne pepper’s active constituent is capsaicin. This substance produces a heat sensation that is used to treat pain. It works by desensitizing the neurons that  transmit pain. This herb is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C and G. Cayenne is also rich in potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium. This herb has been used freely for over a quarter of a century.

Native people in the West Indies have used Cayenne pepper to treat fevers by  soaking the pods in water; then adding the extract to the juice of sour oranges,  sweetening  the  brew, and then sweating it out. Capsicum can improve circulation. Taken internally, it increases the heart action without increasing blood pressure. Externally, cayenne can be sprinkled into shoes or applied as a salve to warm feet. Be very careful to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cayenne, and keep out of reach of children. If any residue is rubbed into the eyes, it is very painful. Should this happen, immediately flush the eye repeatedly with cold water.

Capsicum is helpful in treating indigestion, nausea, and bleeding ulcers. It actually works to rebuild stomach tissue and stop ulcers from bleeding. Cayenne pepper is a catalyst for other herbs: it carries other agents to the part of the body where they are most needed. To enhance the action of a regular herbal infusion,  strain the hot infusion over half a teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper. Use this hot herb to treat kidneys, lungs, spleen, and pancreas, and to strengthen the heart. Cayenne can stimulate the release of opiate-like endorphins and can be used to treat the pain of shingles, herpes, arthritis, rheumatism, and sore throat. It can be used to treat an overactive bladder by desensitizing neurons that trigger excess  urine.

Cayenne pepper is one of the ingredients of a famous ‘Master Cleanse’. The three other ingredients in this recipe are water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a touch of  maple syrup. You can cleanse the body of toxic waste by fasting four days to a week, drinking only ‘Master Cleanse’. When I was a child, my dad went on a 40-day fast, sustaining his body solely by drinking this  blend. Pretty amazing!  

 (A note of caution: never fast when  pregnant or nursing, and consult a doctor before undertaking any prolonged fast.) 

Use cayenne pepper with extreme caution during pregnancy, especially during the beginning stages. Do not use this herb if it creates a burning sensation in your tummy. Do not use on broken skin. Because of the heat of this herb, it is  palatable for children only in minute doses, if at all. Please contact your physician concerning any serious medical conditions and ask about any possible medication reactions. 

This helpful agent works quickly when treating colds, stomach and throat conditions, especially when taken in small, frequent doses, like two tablespoons  every half hour during the acute stages. Add a few drops of cayenne pepper to your  water glass. Sprinkle it on your meal; try adding it to your hot chocolate. Next I will list some blends for specific problems. 

Nerve-soothing blend: St. John’s Wort,  lavender buds, cayenne pepper.

No-more-nausea blend: peppermint, calendula, cayenne pepper.

Swollen-throat blend: goldenseal, white-willow bark, sage, rosehips, cayenne pepper.

Throat gargle: hot salt water and 10 drops of cayenne pepper tincture. Gargle as frequently as possible.

To make cayenne tincture, loosely fill an amber jar with cayenne-pepper powder  or chopped-up fresh cayenne pods. Add vodka, 50-proof. Shake daily and strain through a brown paper coffee filter into a clean glass measuring cup. Pour into small amber dropper bottles; label and voila! You have your own cayenne-pepper tincture to share with (adult) friends and family.

This spicy herb is enjoyed by many in curries and Mexican dishes. It’s essential to any spice rack or medicine cabinet. Strengthen the heart of your lover this Valentine’s Day by giving chocolates spiced up with cayenne pepper…or keep it all for yourself...’cause  Mama likes it Red Hot!