General Description
Cayenne is normally a perennial plant, but it is an annual outside
of tropical regions. The plant grows from 2 to 6 feet in height
and bears tapered, egg-shaped leaves. Cayenne flowers from April
to September, with white-to-yellow blossoms, and bears straight,
oblong fruit which varies in size and is red or yellow in color.
The hot-tasting fruit (or pepper) is used around the world as a
food and a spice, as well as for health purposes.
Health applications
History and traditional use
In addition to its culinary uses, cayenne has a long history of
use as a medicinal herb. Traditionally, the herb has been used in
poultices for a variety of applications and was taken internally
as a digestive aid, as a heart tonic, and as a remedy for fevers,
sore throats, and asthma.
Chemical composition
The primary active constituent in cayenne peppers is a compound
called capsaicin. This is the substance that makes peppers taste
"hot." Cayenne also contains vitamins A and C, carotenoids, and
volatile oils.
Cardiovascular
health
Traditionally, cayenne has been used as a heart tonic, and modern
research indicates that the herb may provide many benefits for
cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that compounds in cayenne
pepper can: a) help relax the arteries,1,2 promoting
healthy blood flow; b) reduce the tendency of blood platelets
to stick together,3,4 helping to prevent clots that
may block blood vessels; c) inhibit lipid peroxidation, helping
to protect blood vessels from free-radical-induced damage.5
Although many people are reluctant to consume cayenne because
of concerns about potential stomach irritation, research indicates
that the herb may actually help protect the stomach lining.6,7
This may make the herb helpful for heart disease patients who
take aspirin regularly to help control blood pressure.
Topical applications
Many of cayenne's therapeutic uses center around its ability to
act as a topical analgesic by depleting nerve terminals of substance
P, a neurotransmitter that helps mediate pain responses. Research
indicates that topical capsaicin creams may relieve discomfort
in a variety of conditions, including arthritis,8-10
diabetic neuropathy,11-15 psoriasis,16,17
and shingles.18-20 Other studies suggest that topical
capsaicin applied inside the nostrils may provide significant
improvement in sinus21 and cluster headaches.22
Dosage/toxicity
Cayenne pepper can be used liberally in the diet and can also
be taken in capsule form. The potency of cayenne capsules is measured
in heating units (HU), and is usually listed on the label. The
acceptable dosage varies widely, as the body develops a tolerance
for capsaicin. New or infrequent users of the herb may experience
gastrointestinal discomfort. These people may wish to start with
a small dose and increase the amount as their tolerance develops.
Cayenne supplements are not recommended for people with active
gastric ulcers because capsaicin may aggravate their condition.
Topical formulations usually contain from 0.025 to 0.075 percent
capsaicin, and can be applied to affected areas up to four times
daily. Some users experience a burning sensation upon topical
application of capsaicin, but this effect usually fades over time.
Caution should be taken to avoid contact with the eyes or broken
skin, which may be extremely irritated by capsaicin. |
