Cayenne
Capsicum Nahum
 Cayenne or Capsicum derives its name from the Greek, 'to bite,' in
allusion to the hot pungent properties of the fruits and seeds.
Cayenne pepper was introduced into Britain from India in 1548, and
Gerard mentioned it as being cultivated in his time. The plant was
described by Linnaeus under the name of C. frutescens proper.
This species appeared in Miller's Garden Dictionary
in
1771.
Cayenne is considered by many Herbalists and Natural Healers to be
the top herb of all. Cayenne is known as the best, purest and most
effective stimulant in the herbal kingdom. Used in herbal
combinations cayenne also becomes the top carrier and catalyst in
the herbal bag of medicine, because cayenne increases the power of
all other herbs.
Cayenne helps in digestion when taken with meals and promotes
secretion of all of the organs. Cayenne taken internally will work
to heal an ulcerated stomach and can be used as a poultice for any
inflammation. Cayenne is excellent for warding off diseases and
equalizing blood circulation, which works to prevent strokes and
heart attacks. Cayenne can help strengthen the heart and improve
blood circulation.
Cayenne's red color is due in part to its high vitamin A content,
which is essential for normal vision, growth, cellular activity,
reproduction and healthy immunity. It is useful to arrest
hemorrhaging (external and internal) and it is cleansing and healing
when used to purify external wounds. Cayenne helps heal ulcers in
the cell structures of the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Cayenne peppers are rated in heat strength by Scovel Heat Units
(SHU).
Your average jalapeno pepper is rated at 40 to 60,000 heat units. A
habanero
pepper is rated at approximately 300,000 heat units. For
best healing results,
100,000 units or above is recommended. Your
grocer can get you the
habanero
peppers or a health food store can
get you the powder or tincture at the heat units you want.
For Emergency:
I
would place the hottest powder or extract under or on my tongue for
crises such as shock, hemorrhage, stroke or heart attack. For
daily use I add Cayenne to my food a little at a time. For emergencies
I keep powder and tincture on hand.
Arthritis and Cayenne:
Cayenne is the only known herb or medication to relieve the pain and
reverse the disease of arthritis. The scientific community has done
over thirteen hundred studies and many confirmed that cayenne and
capsaicin do relieve arthritic symptoms and improve joint
flexibility. You can now find creams, liniments, and plasters in
health food and drug stores that contain the key ingredient of
cayenne, capsicum.
How I have used the cream for arthritis:
I have put the cream on the area and rub it in 4 times a day.
Another way I have used the cream is to put a liberal amount on the
area, cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap,
then wrap it with a
sports wrap type elastic bandage. For my elbow or knee I used a
sports support for the appropriate area. Treating my back, I used a
back support wrap to hold the plastic wrap in place. I felt heat
in the area,
and
if the cream seemed
too,
hot I diluted it with a little
cold cream. If it is not hot enough I use a stronger cream. I
washed off the cream with soap and water one half hour before I
showered or took a bath.
Emphysema, colds and flu and all other respiratory conditions:
Cayenne taken internally can quickly improve and eliminate the
conditions caused by the above respiratory conditions. Note cayenne
is a powerful expectorant herb. When I had bronchitis, I noticed a
lot of mucus came out of my lungs as I treated myself.
Sources:
King's American
Dispensatory,
by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri
Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
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