Cayenne Pepper is a hot flavoursome spice with medicinal properties

A Healing Spice Guide

Cayenne Pepper is the sixth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide. 

Cayenne Pepper is a member of the Capsicum family, named after a small town in French Guiana where it is known as Guinea Spice. Cayenne Pepper has been grown for over 7,000 years in Central and South America, and in the West Indies although it was relatively unknown to the rest of the world until the 15th century.

Cayenne Pepper is a thin chili pepper, green to red in colour that grows from 2 to 5 inches long with a slightly rippled skin. Cayenne Pepper is a culinary and medicinal spice made from ground down Cayenne Peppers. 

Cayenne Pepper is moderately hot pepper which is used whole or in the form of a finely milled powder. This flavoursome spice is found in a wide variety of cuisines including Creole, Asian, Indian, Thai, Chinese and Korean. Be careful when you are using ground Cayenne Pepper in the place of Chili Powder as you may end up with a much hotter meal than you planned for. It is however, less spicy than some of the hottest Chili Peppers like Habaneros or Ghost Peppers.

In traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, Cayenne Pepper has long been used to aid digestion, improve circulation and relieve inflammation and pain. Western herbalists use Cayenne Pepper for its ability to stimulate metabolism and enhance cardiovascular health.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Cayenne Pepper - a wonderful addition to culinary dishes and healing remedies for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Cayenne Pepper was considered to be a powerful spice which has been used in magic, folk medicine and ceremonial traditions over the centuries. It is associated with the element of fire, or in some traditions it was recognised as a grounding earth element bringing connection through its physical form. This made Cayenne Pepper particularly helpful for stimulating action, setting boundaries and reviving a stagnant environment or state of being.

For the Mayan, Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations, Cayenne Pepper was used in cuisine and was vital for preserving and flavouring food. Medicinally, it was used to treat ailments ranging from stomach issues to respiratory problems due to the capsaicin, a compound that provides both heat and powerful healing properties.

Cayenne Pepper once held significant spiritual and ritualistic significance. It was used in offerings, cleansing rituals, and even warfare, where pepper smoke was sometimes used to disorient enemies. Ancient people of the Americas understood what modern science now confirms — these fiery fruits were powerful in more ways than one.

In folklore remedies and spells, Cayenne Pepper's fiery heat was used to stimulate energy and passion, acting like a spiritual jolt to awaken inner potential and clear stale energies. It was believed to be a powerful protector that would ward off negative energy and unwanted entities. It was also used to deflect ill will and dispel energetic blockages.

Cayenne Pepper was known for its magical properties to act as a shield to fiercely guard a sacred space. It was a go-to ingredient for adding potency and power to almost any spell.

Nutrition

Cayenne Pepper contains beta carotene, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E and K, together with folate and minerals including magnesium.

Cayenne Pepper has a high nutritional value providing essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. When comparing the powder to a fresh pepper, both forms provide some nutritional benefits. The amounts to use differ depending on how hot you want your dish to be.

When using Cayenne Pepper it is best to start with a small amount to recipes before adding more. Wash your hands after handling Cayenne Pepper and avoid touching your face and eyes as the oils can irritate the skin and eyes.

Remedies

Cayenne Pepper is used in many homeopathic wellbeing remedies. For thousands of years it has been used for its phytochemicals including flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids. One of these known as capsaicin, is an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from cellular oxidation.

Plant-based compounds provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, reversing bacterial growth. These compounds together with antioxidants, nutrients and minerals can be beneficial for overall physical health.

Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenol-rich foods such as spices function as a prebiotic which positively impacts the growth of good bacteria in our gut’s bacterial community.

A Cayenne Pepper compress is made by mixing the powdered spice with a pure carrier oil and adding to a piece of cloth contained in a cling wrap. This method helps with conditions like cold feet, lack of sensation in the hands and feet, and even symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. This simple remedy applies heat to the affected area and is used to improve circulation, relieve pain and address peripheral neuropathy when nerves in the body's extremities, such as the hands, feet and arms, are damaged.

According to Dr Richard Shulze, ND MH: Cayenne should be a herb which everyone has in the kitchen, the bathroom and in the trunk of your car because there is no other herb that moves the blood faster to the brain than Cayenne. It relieves the pain of angina pectoris by helping to get more blood to the heart muscle itself. And if a person has a heart attack, Cayenne is the surest first-aid remedy. I have had almost a hundred patients actually save their lives by using a tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper in a glass of warm water and drinking it down fast.

Recipes

Cayenne Pepper can be used in various sweet or savory recipes. Here are a few ways to incorporate this fiery spice into your diet.

• Add a dash of Cayenne Pepper and Cinnamon to a hot chocolate drink.
• Make a homemade spicy butter by adding powdered Cayenne Pepper to softened real butter.
• Mix powdered Cayenne Pepper into chocolate cake batter for a sweet and spicy flavour.
• Sprinkle a small amount on egg dishes such as frittatas and omelettes.
• Add powdered or finely chopped fresh Cayenne Pepper to curries, dressings, marinades, sauces and stir-fries.