Considered one of the 10 most essential herbs, learn about the many advantages of this herb commonly thought of as just a spice.
The Origins of Cayenne Pepper:
Cayenne [capsicum annum] is derived from the Greek word capsicum, meaning, "to bite" and that it does! However, there are others who believe it's derivative of the Roman word "capsa", translating as "box" - referring to the plant's small and hollow fruits. "We do know that 50 years after Columbus returned from the Americas, cayenne was already being cultivated in Britain - where it purportedly came from India. Both the sixteenth century herbalist John Gerard and his seventeenth century counterpart Nicolas Culpepper wrote extensively about cayenne in their respective herbals" (The Modern Herbal Primer, Nancy Burke).
Growing Cayenne:
The capsicum plant is a small spreading shrub that originated in South and Central Americas and is easily cultivated in the West Indies and is now widely grown and harvested throughout the world, including the United States. A member of the Solonaceae family [which comprises potatoes, eggplant and, not surprisingly, bell peppers], the 10 species that make up the Solonaceae group include the Red Pepper which is known as a chili in Mexico. Another type of pepper is the Bush Red Pepper, or Tabasco Pepper. The leaves and stems of the cayenne plant are toxic. An annual herbaceous plant, this tropical bush doesn't reach more than two feet in height. Before the fiery blossom of the fruit, it grows a white star-shaped flower in the early part of the summer. Immature green chili fruits that ripen follow this into those hot red cayenne peppers. Although this herb flourishes in hot, tropical sunny climates, it doesn't require much water.
The best times to plant cayenne are during the end of the winter season or the beginning of spring. They can be grown indoors if there is enough natural sunlight. This is especially important for cultivating seedlings.
To grow cayenne outdoors, each plant should be about a foot apart and must only be planted once the danger of frost is over. Again it should be noted that cayenne is not a plant that requires much watering. Additionally, planting cayenne near basil and cilantro will bring out the best in all three herbs!
Harvesting Cayenne:
Like many other crops, the harvesting of cayenne is done in the late summer or early autumn. The fruits, now fully ripened peppers, should be removed from the plant before the first frost, and their color is brilliant fiery red. Gardening gloves should always be worn as the capsicum resin can be very harsh on sensitive skin.
Cayenne's Medicinal Uses:
"Cayenne, also know as red pepper, is both an herb and a spice obtained from the dried, ground fruit of various hot red chili peppers [capsicum frutescens], that contain the compound capsaicin, which reduces pain and inflammation, probably by blocking the activity in the body of substance P, a compound needed for transmitting pain impulses." "The Complete Guide to Natural Healing" (Natural Health, Tom Monte).
The small crimson fruit owes its stinging sharpness to a chemical called capsaicin that comprises about 12% of the pepper and is isolated by chemists more than a century ago. It should be noted that capsaicin is derived from capsicum. While both are very potent, capsaicin is the strongest derivative of cayenne and is usually found in very small amounts. It is also one of the main ingredients in self-defense sprays.
Next to ginger, cayenne is the next best thing for digestion. Spicy foods contribute to heartburn, yet the most taste bud-puckering pepper out there will get rid of it. Cooked cayenne pepper will irritate your digestive tract and possibly cause ulcers. The dried, uncooked and POWDERED herb is always used for purposes of healing. Drying the cayenne pepper cures the acids thereby eliminating any caustic effects. Cayenne is a stimulant and an antiseptic that contains a large amount of Vitamin C and beta-carotene. Regulating the flow of blood, cayenne strengthens the heart, arteries, and nerves. If you feel a cold coming on, take cayenne pepper to ward it off. The heating properties of cayenne will stimulate circulation increasing the ability to sweat it out.
Cayenne pepper is sold in health food stores in gelatin capsules. It is highly recommended that you take cayenne pepper capsules AFTER a meal, especially in the morning. As Vitamin E is available in I.U.'s [International Units}, and cayenne is available in H.U.'s [Heat Units]. Always start out with the lowest grade, which is 40 H.U. The middle range is double that, and the high end is called African Bird Pepper and is rated from 180 H.U. up to 200,000 H.U.! Taking high-ranked dosages of cayenne isn't going for the Gold in the Olympics - it's not higher, stronger, faster that makes this herb better. So that's why you always need to start off with the smallest dose and then work your way up from there if necessary.
Cayenne also acts as a carrier herb in that when mixed with other herbs it helps them speed them through your system.
Cayenne pepper, always in the powdered form, can be used externally for wounds and cuts. Upon application there is a slight sting, but it's the cleansing action that's immediately taking effect.
For someone who is in a state of shock, a tiny pinch applied directly onto his or her tongue will assist the person. What cayenne does is get the circulation revved up as it restores the out of whack equilibrium that gets messed up in a shocking situation.
Another external use for cayenne would be for sinus congestion. Instead of taking an expensive over the counter cold medicine, just add a pinch of cayenne to a glass of water and gently sniff it up each nostril. This will get rid of congestion in most cases and clean away the infection.
This bright orange red herb is known to heal gum infections and eliminate the pain of abscesses. Dip your wet toothbrush into some cayenne pepper or else add a pinch of it atop the toothpaste. Rinsing with cayenne will also benefit your gums and if you gargle with it you will have a strong throat.
Cayenne pepper builds the blood as it's assimilated into the body as well, if not better, than iron.
You can locate powdered cayenne in the spice department of your local supermarket or already packaged in a bottle full of capsules at your health food store. It is also available in the form of a tincture, and this you would take internally.
Culinary Cayenne:
In some Southeast Asian countries, cayenne peppers are consumed daily. Another way of rating chilies amongst the growers is a heat scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hottest. Topping the list is the Habanero, the hottest chili with that 10 rating. Used in the Caribbean barbeque as an intense flavoring for the jerk sauces, it's also bottled into salsa.
Cayenne is also one very hot chili that invigorates many Cajun and stir-fry dishes. It is rated an 8 on the heat scale.
Jalapenos are only a level 5 on the heat scale. Famous around the culinary world, jalapenos are often found as a topping for nachos and make a great salsa and salad ingredient.
Tabasco chilies are definitely hot with an 8 rating and are also the main source for the famous hot sauce that carries their name.
The name Yellow Wax usually means a chili that isn't all that hot. However, it can be rated as high as an 8. Some varieties are virtually heatless. Mostly used in the form of pickled chilies, salsas and chopped up in salads.
[Note: The content of this article is informational and educational. Consult with your health care provider for any ailment.]
