Bulk Herb Store

Herbs: Cayenne pepper - powder

Common Name: Cayenne
Latin Name: Capsicum
Origin: India/USA

Excerpts from The ABC Herbal

This is an excellent herb to have on hand in an extract form because it is one of the most powerful of all herbs for stimulating the body’s energies for healing. We would never be without capsicum (cayenne pepper) in our home because of its value in stopping bleeding and treating shock. Even if you do not use it internally with children, it is an excellent remedy to have on hand for external use. As we will discuss later, it is especially powerful when combined with lobelia and used as an external massage for relieving pain.

For sore throats, I generally apply a mixture of capsicum (cayenne pepper) extract and Lobelia extract directly to the throat. (These are alcohol based extracts as they work best for external applications…glycerites are too sticky.) Then, I gently massage the throat from the top down. This is a very gentle, slow process. Never apply so much pressure that the child feels uncomfortable. Work the sides and the back of the neck as well. You will feel the swollen lymph nodes. The idea is to gently "milk" them until they are no longer swollen. The capsicum and Lobelia help to relax the tissues and encourage the flow of blood and lymph.

Excerpts from Left for Dead

One of the most effective stimulants, cayenne targets the digestive and the circulatory system primarily.
Cayenne stimulates every system and cell of the body. Cayenne has been valued around the world for its uses as a stimulant, astringent, antispasmodic, circulatory tonic, and antibacterial agent. In addition, cayenne acts as a diaphoretic to induce sweating, a rubefacient to increase circulation at the skin’s surface and a carminative to help eliminate gas.

As a condiment, cayenne aids digestion and soothes intestinal ailments by stimulating the stomach to produce mucous.

In the circulatory system, it helps the arteries, veins and capillaries regain the elasticity of youth by feeding the cell structure. It helps equalize circulation by regulating the flow of blood from the head to the feet. Cayenne strengthens the pulse by increasing the power, not the frequency.

In more ways than any other herb, cayenne gets the blood moving. Touted as “the purest and most certain stimulant known to man,” cayenne is considered to be one of the best crisis herbs. By helping the circulatory system operate more efficiently, the snappy red pepper boost the energy level and eases the damaging effects of stress on the body.

By increasing the circulation of the blood to peripheral tissues throughout the body, cayenne helps deliver necessary nutrients to inflamed and infected areas.

The herb itself contains many nutrients essential to the health of the circulatory system including alpha-tocopherols, vitamin C and minerals, including sulphur, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.. Cayenne also contains a high amount of vitamin A (beta-carotene) which aids in healing ulcers.

One of the most remarkable qualities of cayenne is its ability to act as a catalyst. Cayenne intensifies the beneficial effects of other herbs by ensuring speedy and thorough distribution of the herb’s active components to the important functional centers of the body such as those responsible for metabolism, data transmission, cellular respiration and neural hormonal activity.

Just a small quantity of cayenne can dramatically increase the efficiency of most herbs, this catalyst herb is added to nearly every herbal combination available. Added to garlic, for example, cayenne speeds up the antibiotic action of the other herb. Cayenne boosts the power of garlic so much it’s akin to taking liquid penicillin. Together, garlic and cayenne lower blood pressure safely and rapidly.

Cayenne is used in formulas for pain relief, infection, respiratory ailments, female problems, and thyroid balance. Cayenne is an ingredient in laxatives, diuretics and ulcer medication. Added to ginger, cayenne helps clean out the bronchial tubes. This powerful stimulant can also be used as a relaxant to soothe gas, diarrhea, asthma and toothaches.

Externally, the aromatic herb makes a very effective pain killer or anesthetic. Cayenne has been used in poultices for centuries as an irritant or counter-irritant. Exposure to the pungent herb can cause pain but prolonged exposure deadens the nerves to pain.

Folk medicine prescribes cayenne powder, plaster, poultice, tincture and ointment for a variety of aches and pains including arthritis, rheumatism and bursitis. Cayenne has also been touted as one of the most powerful cures for hemorrhoids. Application of cayenne ointment brings relief from hemorrhoids but it is also recommended that the patient be warned of the pungent herb’s potency. Mexican folklore also refers to the use of cayenne as a pain killer and it has been applied dry on wounds.

With the advent of the gelatin capsule, people who could not tolerate the bite of the red pepper can take it with ease. It is important to remember that a little cayenne goes a long way. Nature made the red pepper hot for a reason so if you can’t swallow too much outside the capsule, don’t try to swallow too much inside the capsule. People who don’t usually eat hot spicy food should build tolerance slowly.

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

Cayenne or capsicum, one of the most important herbs, is a wonderful healer. References to it have even been found on plaques in the Egyptian tombs. It is an herb many herbalists would choose if they could only have one herb. It is found in many combinations with other herbs because it acts as a catalyst.

• Nutritional as well as medicinal.
• Builds up the body’s resistance. High in vitamin C, good to take at the beginning of a cold.
• One of the best general stimulants. Stimulation is the key to healing. When the body and its organs are properly stimulated, they will heal, cleanse and begin to function normally. If taken regularly it will reach every part of the body.
• Improves entire circulatory system; feeds the cell structures of arteries, veins, and capillaries so they will regain elasticity.
• Regulates the flow of blood so it influences the heart immediately – the frequency of the pulse is not increased but is given more power.
• Taken internally for an injury to stop internal or external bleeding. The powder can be poured directly on an external wound to stop bleeding, fight infection and promote healing. It may feel warm but it will never cause a blister.
• The tincture is excellent for first-aid kits. It is an herb to keep on hand.

Excerpts from Practical Herbalism

Capsicum (cayenne) has benefits for both the young and old, but is particularly useful in the elderly and the debilitated, when the body-heat is low, vitality depressed, and reaction sluggish.

This medicine possesses an extraordinary power in removing congestion by its action upon the nerves and circulation.

Tired, painful muscles, stiffened joints, poor circulation, and relaxation of any part are common conditions in the elderly that can be improved by capsicum (cayenne).

Externally, the infusion and tincture have been found valuable as a stimulating astringent gargle for sore throat.

Powdered capsicum (cayenne), sprinkled inside the stockings, was a favorite prescription of the Eclectics for cold feet, a practical use no doubt derived from an old folk remedy.

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From Our Reading and/or Experience...

• This is not like the Cayenne you may find on a spice rack in a supermarket. This is much fresher and more effective.
• To avoid stomach upset, Cayenne should not be used internally on an empty stomach.
• Like most spices, it is potent and a little goes a long way. Nonetheless, we do go wild with it. This is probably our all time favorite herb. Second, only to Garlic.
• We hardly make a tincture or fill capsules without adding a little bit of Cayenne. It not only aids with the digestion of other herbs, but it magnifies their properties too. Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies. Except as a tea, as powders are not normally used in tea combinations.
• The only time Cayenne is used in teas is during a trauma and/or medical emergency. When it comes to hemorrhaging, heart attack, shock, and so on, a cup of warm water with no more than a teaspoon of Cayenne is what we have used with great success. Of course, it is not a pleasant drink, but during such immediate and life threatening situations, it’s what we choose.
• Cayenne is a food and spice. Thus, we keep it in the kitchen as all other food ingredients. We add it to many dishes (salads, meat dishes, stir fry, vegetables, and on, and on) to enhance the flavor and add nutritional value to our foods. We recently started adding a tiny bit of Cayenne to our home-made ice cream recipes. We first had this on an outing in Ohio, and it was unforgettably good.
• For oral health, we also sprinkle some on the toothpaste on the toothbrush, almost daily, before brushing. It's reported to cure or, in our case, prevent many dental issues. It tastes great, too.
• Cayenne can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
• It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
• As is the case with most spices, Cayenne should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.

Customer Reviews

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Re: Dosage and Form
by Bulk Herb Store on Mar 29, 2013

You can start out with a very small amount, like 1/16 tsp. in an 8 oz. cup of juice or water till your body gets used to it. Add 1/4 to 1/2 of a teaspoon to your drink once a day after you have become adjusted to the "heat" of the cayenne. But remember, it is best to gradually become acclimated to ingesting cayenne. Or you can sprinkle small amounts on your food. You can find different ways for making cayenne tinctures if you search online.