Capsaicin/Capsicum (Cayenne)
Capsicum annuum;Solan aceae

The Capsicums are ancient natives of the New World, the oldest known specimens coming from Mexico. From seeds found on the floors of caves that were ancient human dwellings and from ancient fossil feces, scientists have found the people were eating peppers as early as 7000 BC.

Presumably originating as wild plants, hot peppers were cultivated between 5200 and 3400 be. (Heiser: 18), among the oldest cultivated plants of the world. In South America, peppers recovered at the archaeological site of Huaca Prieta have been dated at 2500 BC, these specimens being larger than the wild peppers and therefore presumably cultivated (Ibid). Archaeological research in the Tehucan Valley revealed that among other crops, chilis were cultivated during the Coxcatlan era, around 4000 BC (Johnson, ed.: 150)

Capsicum was introduced to Europe by the historian who accompanied Columbus to the New World, Peter Martyr. He reported the use of these pungent peppers, and the ship’s physician, Dr. Chatica, reported their use as a condiment and as a medicine, an irony considering that Columbus was seeking the spices of the Far East (I-Ieiser, op.. cit.)

One of the most important uses of (Cayenne is as a circulatory stimulant, an herb that feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins, and capillaries so that they, regain youthful elasticity and so that the blood pressure reduces itself to normal. When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the blood cannot circulate freely, so higher pressure is needed to force the blood through. Cayenne equalizes the blood pressure, influencing the heart immediately, and then extending its effects to the venous structure (SNH:407). It also works to cut the mucus in the venous system, and indeed in all the systems throughout the body.

Cayenne is a certain remedy for heart attack; as a stimulant, it can start the heart into action again, and as it facilitates blood flow throughout the body, it will keep the heart going. Used as a heart attack preventative, along with the mucusless diet and a healthful life-style, Cayenne can do wonders in toning and rebuilding the heart and keeping it in top condition. As we will discuss later, Cayenne is one of the richest and most stable sources of Vitamin E, which is known to be a heart builder.

The most common medical use of Cayenne is as a gastric stimulant and digestive aid. It rebuilds the stomach tissue and stimulates peristalsis, thus assisting in assimilation and elimination. In the West Indies, a preparation called Mandram is used for weak digestion and loss of appetite; this is made of thinly sliced, unskinned cucumbers, shallots, chives or onions, lemon or lime juice, Madeira, and a few pods of Cayenne well mashed up in the liquids. It can be used as a chutney or garnish (Gri: 176)

Cayenne is used as a diaphoretic-sweat inducing-herb, especially useful when combined with other powerful diaphoretics such as yarrow, blue vervain, bayberry, etc. It should be given when a chill is coming on, to offset a cold, or to help break a fever, as it sustains the portal circulation (Klo:220) and assists in the removal of mucus, as well as inducing perspiration.