Cayenne
(Capsicum minimum)
Also know as African bird pepper
Botanical Information
A small perennial shrub with white flowers, and then green and finally red or yellow pods. Native of the Amazon.
Working with Cayenne
Part(s) Used
Fruit
Herb Forms
Tinctures, capsules, homeopathic tablet, bulk herb, powder, ointments.
Cayenne primarily benefits the circulatory system, improving the movement of blood and the removal of toxins, invigorating and warming the circulation. It improves digestion, acts as a lung decongestant, and stops external bleeding. It is also used as a plaster or cream externally to increase circulation and reduce the pain of neuropathy. Commercial products which are standardized to the acrid active principle, capsaicin, can be purchased in natural food stores and drug stores. Capsaicin has demonstrated the ability to block the pain response. These preparations are recommended for relief of arthritis pain, sore muscles, carpal tunnel syndrome, and for treating shingles. They have also been used successfully for sores of oral mucositis that result from chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Cayenne has a taste of ACRID and a temperature of HOT.
Cautions
Use of cayenne internally may cause gastrointestinal irritation in some sensitive individuals, though this has been disputed by some laboratory studies. It is probably not common, unless the herb is taken in large quantities over a period of days or week
Conditions treated with Cayenne
Condition
Treatment Support
Application
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Condition
Treatment Support
circulatory stimulant
Application
tincture applied to affected area
The information given here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. The information is drawn from numerous sources—both traditional medicine practice, from the clinical experience of many herbalists currently practicing, and supported by decades of scientific research from the author. The research most consulted includes human clinical trials that help to determine the most effective and safe herbs for various needs, the best doses, and types of preparations.
The information offered in this database is not intended as a substitute for any that may have been prescribed by your health practitioner or physician.