CAYENNE

(Capsicum minimum; C. Fastigiatum)

Part used:  Fruit (oil is in the seeds).

Therapeutic action:

Stimulant, tonic, carminative, sialagogue, stomachic, rubefacient, pungent, alterative, astringent, antispasmodic, sudorific, emetic, antiseptic, condiment, anti-rheumatic.

Cayenne is a medicinal and nutritional herb. It is the purest and most certain stimulant.

This herb is a great food for the circulatory system in that it feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries so that these regain the elasticity of youth again, and the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal. It rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and heals stomach and intestinal ulcers; in equalizing the blood circulation, cayenne produces natural warmth; and in stimulating the peristaltic motion of the intestines, it aids in assimilation and elimination.

When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the blood has a harder time circulating; therefore, higher pressure forces the liquid through. Cayenne regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that it is equalized; it influences the heart immediately, then gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries, and nerves (the frequency of the pulse is not increased, but is given more power).

Medicinal uses:

Apoplexy, arrest gangrene or mortification, arthritis, asthma, asthmatic asphyxia, atonic gout, bleeding, bleeding of the lungs, chilblains, chills, colds, cold extremities, congestion, constipation, cough, cramps, debility, delirium tremens, diphtheria, dyspepsia, emesis (strong dose), functional sluggishness, fatigue, heart trouble and heart attacks, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, high and low blood pressure, indigestion, inflammation, kidney and related problems, lethargy, low fevers, lumbago, menorrhagia, neuralgia, offensive breath, pains in the stomach and bowels, palpitation, pleurisy, profound shock, quinsy, rheumatism, scarlet fever, strokes, tonsillitis, toothache (oil), typhoid fever, ulcers, vomiting, wounds, yellow fever. Cayenne (as a stimulant) is an activator, carrier, and accentuator.

Preparation:

Cayenne is prepared into decoctions, infusions, ointments, powder, tinctures.

Cayenne is seldom used in the vagina as in boluses. It could be, but it is too uncomfortable.

Very seldom do we ever use a decoction, because some value is lost when cayenne is simmered for any length of time.

In using cayenne, the most common form of preparation is an infusion, made by pouring water over the cayenne and letting it set. The infusion can be used with absolute safety.

We use cayenne in a liniment quite frequently, and there it would be 1/8 or 1/16 part to other oils, etc.

Use very little oil at a time, as it is very potent.

With the ointments, cayenne is used in approximately 1/8 proportion to other herbs.

Cayenne is used in nearly all fomentation, plasters, and poultices where speed is necessary, or where quick relief (as in arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, sore muscles and those types or cases) is necessary.

It is used, of course, dry (on wounds), and it is used in prescriptions and formulas mixed with many other types of herbs. In using the powder in poultices, plasters, suppositories, enemas, etc., the cayenne is used 1/8 part in proportion to the other herbs that are used, according to the case.

In the liquid extract or in the tincture, it is easily kept and very valuable to have on hand. Use this moderately, as it is many times stronger than the infusion.