The Uses Of Cayenne Pepper In Natural Medicine

ALL our healthcare needs were already supplied within nature. Medicinal herbs, like foods, are not merely a combination of phyto-chemicals, active ingredients and nutrients that help our physical bodies; they are condensations of strengthening and healing radiations that our bodies can draw on. They are infused with the same one “power” that streams through all creations.There is no culture in the history of this world that has not at one time or another used herbs or herbal remedies to heal its illnesses or to augment the health of its people.
Hippocrates believed to be the father of medicine, used herbs, nutrition, fasting and other natural remedies to treat his sick patients.    Modern medicine has much of its foundation built on herbs, as there is a wide-range of drugs that are made from medicinal plants.
   At this juncture, it is important to note that our exclusive objective in this column is to educate our readers, to the best of our knowledge, on the need to gratefully appreciate the gifts of nature. Above all, the experiences and the knowledge we share on the appropriate use of natural remedies do not in any way replace the care of a competent professional healthcare provider.
  As with all medical treatment, be it “self” or “prescriptive,” it is imperative to act responsibly and to approach any form of therapy with respect and caution. Due to individual uniqueness, even the mildest herb or medicine may not agree with everybody.
  In a nutshell, according to Chinese medicine, a healthy environment (with foods and herbs growing in it) has a balanced characteristic ecological factor of positive- hot (yang)- and negative- cool (yin).
  They also believe that a balance of these two forces determines the state of our health.
  Furthermore, they believe that hot (yang) environment produces more cool (yin) foods and herbs and vice versa.
  That is to say foods and herbs growing in particular geographical zone are ecologically balanced with the local positive and negative forces or radiations. This is the main reason why foods and herbs that grow in one’s ecological zone or birthplace are considered to be the medicine par excellence we need.
  It is amazing to note that those living in the tropics, e.g. Africans and Central and Southern Americans consume and tolerate lots of hot cayenne or chili peppers better than those living in the temperate regions of the world.
  The hot tasting and fiery nature of cayenne is due to the presence of a chemical compound called capsaicin, which will initially induce sweating and later help to keep the blood and body cool by lowering the body temperature, a useful characteristic in hot tropical climates.
  Cayenne belongs to the nightshade family, known as Solanaceae, which is botanically called Capsicum frutescens.
  Being a native of tropical Africa, Cayenne pepper is also known as African red pepper or Bird pepper.  
  Cayenne equally grows in sub-tropical climates of the world, where it is variously called “chili pepper,” “hot pepper,” “paprika,” “capsicum,” “cayenne,” etc.
  Local names include Ose Aghirigha in Igbo and Ata-wewe or ata-ajosi in Yoruba languages.
  Cayenne plant is a perennial herb that grows in hot and moist conditions with plenty of sunshine in tropical areas of the world.
  Cayenne pepper is the fruit with a fleshy, pointy-end pod, one inch or longer, that comes in various shades of green, yellow or red (when fully ripe), containing many kidney-shaped white seeds.
Parts Used
  In herbal medicine, the leaves and roots of the plant can be used in some preparations. However, the fruits and seeds are most commonly used.
  The fruits are generally harvested when they are fully ripe. They are then dried, preferably in the shade, and ground into a fine powder and stored in a dark container for future use.
Constituents Of Cayenne
  Through scientific analysis, it has been shown that cayenne pepper contains as its main active ingredient up to 0.1 to 1.5 per cent of a resinous plant alkaloid called capsaicin (which is sometimes referred to as capsicum).
  Capsaicin is a colouring matter that gives pepper its orange/red colour and is largely responsible for the pungent taste and burning sensation of the pepper.
  Other ingredients found in cayenne pepper include alkaloids, aspirin-like salicylates, steroidal saponins (capsicidins found only in the seeds), volatile oil, fatty acids, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acids, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), carotenoids, Vitamins A, B complex and E, resins, sugars, flavonoids, rutin, antioxidants, water (74.2 per cent when fresh, 9.8 per cent when air dried), calcium, phosphorus, selenium, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, sulphur, etc.
  All these ingredients combined in one, gives cayenne pepper the nutritional and the numerous healing properties.
Therapeutic Properties And Actions of Cayenne
  Sialogue (stimulates secretion of saliva and gastric juices).
  Appetite stimulant (excites the appetite and improves metabolism).
  Carminative (relieves flatulence by expelling gas from the intestines, eases colic and griping pains).
  Digestive (improves digestion and aids the entire digestive system).
  Diaphoretic (promotes sweating).
  General systemic tonic and stimulant (stimulates endorphins, strengthens, invigorates and energises the entire bodily systems, thus giving a feeling of well-being).
  It is an anti-fatigue.
  Circulatory stimulant and heart tonic (improves blood circulation), lowers cholesterol, regulates or stabilises blood pressure- either high or low- promotes sound sleep and retards premature aging.
  Alterative (cleanses the blood and boosts the immune system).
  It is also an antioxidant.
  Antidote to poison, antimicrobial, digestive antiseptic (kills or controls the growth of potentially harmful intestinal bacteria).
  Decongestant (opens the chest and the nasal passages).
  Rubefacient or counter-irritant (produces warmth and reddening when rubbed on the skin due to the increase in peripheral blood circulation, which often lessens localised pain and inflammation from arthritis, etc).
To be continued.