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HERB ALLEY
Cayenne
(Capsicum Annuum)
COMMON NAMES: Africa pepper,
American pepper, bird pepper, capsicum, chili pepper, cockspur pepper,
goat’s pepper, pod pepper, red pepper, Spanish pepper, Zanzibar pepper.
MEDICINAL PART:
Fruit.
DESCRIPTION: Cayenne
is a perennial plant in its native tropical America but is annual when
cultivated outside tropical zones. Growing to a height of 3 feet
or more, its glabrous stem is woody at the bottom and branched near the
top. The leaves are ovate to lancolate, entire, and petioled.
The drooping white to yellow flowers grow alone or in pairs oor threes
between April and September. The ripe fruit, or pepper`, is a manyseeded
pod with a leathery outside in various shades of red or yellow.
PROPERTIES AND USES:
Appetizer, digestive, irritant, sialagogue, stimulant, tonic. In
powder or tablet form, capsicum is used as a general stimulant and to build
up resistance at the begining of a cold. It can also be taken as
an unfusion for stomach and bowel pains or cramps. Small quantities
of the fresh fruit or the powder will stimulate appertite. For external
use, cayenne is made into plasters or liniment or the tincture is applied
to increase blood flow to areas affected with rheumatism, arthritis, pleuritis,
or pericaeditis. Caution: Prolonged application to the skin
can cause dermatitis and raise blisters. Excessive consumption can
cause gastroenteritis and kidney damage.
Most herbalists would
not be without this herb. For winter colds, congestion, infection,
and inflammation, it is excellent! It adds warmth, helps breatk up
congestion, clears sinuses and serves to acrivate the action of other herbs
in a formula. Use sparingly; it can be hot!
Cayenne is effective
as a poultice for rheumatism, inflammation, pleurisy, and helpful also
taken internally for these. For sores and wounds it makes a good
poultice. It is a stimulant when taken internally as well as being
antispasmodic. Good for kidneys, spleen, and pancreas. Wonderful
for lockjaw. Will heal a sore, ulcerated stomach, while black pepper,
mustard, or vinegar will irritate it. Red pepper is a specific and
very effective remedy in yellow fever, as well as other fevers and may
be taken in capsules followed by a glass of water.
PREPERATION AND DOSAGE:
Infusion: Use 1/2 to
1 tsp pepper per cup of boiling water. Take warm 1 tbsp at a time.
Powder: For acute conditions,
take 3 to 10 grains, for chronic conditions 1 to 3.
The Herb Book by
John Lust
The Science and Art of Herbology
by Rosemary Gladstar.
Back to Eden by
Jethro Kloss
