The health benefits of cayenne pepper should not go unnoticed! Cayenne pepper and its high concentration of a substance called capsaicin have made it one of the best healing stimulant in herbal medicine. Scientific evidence has shown that cayenne pepper is useful in healing the common cold and flu, heart disease, gangrene, cancer, and yellow fever among others.
This amazing pepper is rich in Vitamins A, C, E, and B complex as well as minerals like calcium and potassium. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years, especially as a healing aid for the digestive and circulatory system. One of the most amazing healing properties of this pepper is that is has been successfully used to relieve heart attacks! Read on to find out more amazing benefits of the almighty cayenne pepper!
8 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
Expectorant For Excess Mucus
Cayenne pepper is an excellent decongestant and expectorant. This peppers expectorant properties help to loosen phlegm or mucus from the lungs, allowing the body to rid itself of excess mucus, relieving pressure and making you feel more at ease. As a decongestant, the capsaicin in cayenne pepper relieves swelling and inflammation (which narrows the cavities in our sinuses). Next time you want to open and drain congested nasal passages reach for some cayenne pepper!
Anti-Fungal and Anti-Bacterial
Suffer from a wound that got infected by bacteria? Maybe you want to prevent bacterial infection of a cut or other bodily mishap? Use cayenne! Studies have shown that capsaicin in cayenne pepper possesses amazing anti-fungal properties due to the element called CAY-1 (a saponin) – this powerful saponin was found to be active against 16 different fungal strains, including Candida, and appeared to act by disrupting the membrane integrity of fungal cells while leaving normal cells alone.
Fights Inflammation
Many people think that hot peppers actually cause inflammation to tissues rather than prevent it. This is definitely not the case! Capsaicin in cayenne peppers is a potent inhibitor of the neuropeptide (small protein-like molecules used by neurons to communicate with each other) Substance P, which is largely associated with inflammatory processes in the body.There is actually such a thing as capsaicin cream, which is widely used for the treatment of various painful conditions! Capsaicin has been found to be most helpful in relieving pain in individuals with osteoarthritis, pain after cancer surgery or hernia repair, post-herpetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Cayenne also helps circulate blood flow, and helps break down arterial plaques while rebuilding red blood cells, which turns a stagnant circulatory system into a strong healthy one!
Cardiovascular Benefits
Cayenne peppers (and other red chili peppers) have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and platelet aggregation, and increases the body’s ability to dissolve fibrin which is required by the body to form blood clots. Capsicum also contains the most natural vitamin E often used to treat heart conditions.
In fact, Dr. John Christopher stated that, “I haven’t lost a heart attack patient during a house call in my 35 years of practice. Here’s what I do: If still breathing, I give the patient 1 tsp of Cayenne mixed in a cup of hot water and within minutes they are up and about.” His heart attack life saving recipe is as follows:
1. If the person is conscious, mix 1 tsp. of cayenne powder** in a glass of warm water, and give it to the person to drink.
2. If the person is unconscious, use a cayenne extract** and apply 2 full droppers, full strength, underneath their tongue.
NOTE: The cayenne must be **90,000 Heat Units (H.U.) to stop a heart attack. This will stop the attack in 60 seconds!
Natural Pain Relief
Cayenne has been dubbed a miracle cure for migraine headaches. Working up to one full teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of water, this remedy works wonders (follow the cayenne water with one glass of pure water to help ease the burning sensation). Why does cayenne pepper reduce the pain associated with migraines and headaches? It helps by equalizing blood pressure throughout the body, and thus eases and relieves pressure in the head region.
Detoxes The Body
Cayenne pepper stimulates the liver (the body’s primary detox organ) and stimulates our digestive juices. Your liver releases uric acid and creates bile to eliminate toxins from the body. By keeping your liver and digestive system clean and clear, your body has the benefit of warding off any type of chronic disease issues.
When we are backed up, in terms of our intestines, we carry and hold onto toxins much more strongly than if we had a clear GI tract. With cayenne, we can help to rid the body of stagnant waste matter, reducing the chance that any toxins that were supposed to be expelled, are not re-absorbed into the tiny capillaries that line our intestine and thus re-enter the blood stream.
Aids In Healthy Digestion
Cayenne stimulates the digestive juices and can also help stomach ulcers. Consuming cayenne pepper will not only act as a local anesthetic on the ulcer, but it also helps control bleeding. In fact, studies have shown that capsicum can actually regenerate stomach tissue, and can help relieve gastrointestinal problems like stomach aches, cramping and gas!
Boosts Metabolism
Cayenne pepper helps increases thermogenesis (heat production) and oxygen consumption for more than 20 minutes after consumed! This means a faster metabolism, and more efficient weight loss. Capsaicin triggers the “fight or flight” response hormones, resulting in a faster and harder heart beat, heavier breathing, and more efficient movement of fat and glucose into the blood for muscle use.
Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=140
http://www.cayennepepper.info/treating-wounds-with-cayenne-pepper.html
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/thermogenic-foods
