- Origin
- Domesticated in Mexico and Central and South America; now grown worldwide. Capsicum annuum and related species
- Sanskrit
- Katuvira
- Other names
- Cayennepeper, Spaanse peper
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161
Capsicum frutescens
Herb · Central America and the Caribbean
Cayenne pepper
Capsicum frutescens
Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.
Safety notes
Burns on skin and mucous membranes; wash hands and avoid the eyes. Not on broken skin. May cause stomach upset and interact with blood thinners.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Preparation
As a spice; externally in creams or patches containing capsaicin. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Chilli peppers were domesticated in Mexico thousands of years ago and were important in Maya and Aztec cuisine and medicine. In the 19th century Samuel Thomson made cayenne a cornerstone of his American herbal system. Ody describes it as a powerful warming remedy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Promotes circulation, induces sweating, stimulates the stomach, carminative, antiseptic, antibacterial; externally skin-stimulating and warming.
Preparation and amount
Tea of ½ tsp per cup; sip 1 tbsp of it diluted with hot water for chills, cold hands and feet, shock, depression; tincture 5–10 drops in hot water; gargle with 5–10 drops of tincture for sore throat; compress and warming oil for rheumatism and bruises; do not use the seeds.
Caution: Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Strongly irritant locally, stimulates the heart and general circulation, stomachic, tonic; externally for lumbago and swellings, internally for indigestion, lack of appetite and wind.
Preparation and amount
Seed powder 0.1–1 g; tincture; paste or plaster externally.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Prosperity.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Gazpacho.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureSalve and balmCompress, poultice and pastePowder and kitchen