Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper - a spicy seasoning with therapeutic effects

Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years, both as seasoning for foods and for medicinal purposes. Virtually all of the seasonings we use on our food every day also are of benefit to our health as well. Cayenne pepper is just one example, but a good one indeed. Used in cuisines around the world, we most often think of this hot red pepper as the seasoning that lights your mouth on fire. That's true, but this hot red pepper has a number of health benefits and is a first-aid item to boot.

Cayenne pepper is available in a variety of strengths, ranging from a prompt clearing of a stuffy nose to one that makes you think you need a fire hose to extinguish.

Cayenne is native to countries near the equator and is used as a daily seasoning for many dishes prepared in these hot climate countries. Although it seems contrary to reason, cayenne pepper consumed in food results in a cooling of the body temperature. The sheer heat on your palate causes you to sweat, sometimes profusely. The sweat on your hot skin produces a cooling effect, which is naturally welcome. In this case, the hotter, the better.

If you have heart or circulatory problems, you'll do well to work cayenne pepper into your diet. Cayenne has been shown to improve circulation and strenghten the heart. It also helps to reduce high blood pressure and has beneficial effects on your cholesterol levels. If you just don't like hot foods, you may still gain these health benefits by taking cayenne in capsules. It's best taken with food or a glass of milk, so it's not too harsh on your stomach.

While of significant benefit to your heart and circulation, cayenne pepper also contains amazing properties that are so powerful, internal hemorrhage may be stopped. One doctor was able to save the life of an accident victim he came upon during a hike in a remote area.

He determined that the victim was hemorrhaging internally. Fortunately for the patient, this doctor also knew of this peculiar property of the cayenne pepper and had some on hand in his backpack. By the time the patient was airlifted to a hospital, the hemorrhage had stopped, all because of several capsules of cayenne pepper.

Here's a great kitchen tip to make the point. We've all cut our fingers from time to time while cutting in the kitchen. We also know this type of cut tends to bleed and is difficult to stop. Next time you get a small cut, try a direct application of a dusting of cayenne pepper to the cut. Watch and see how quickly the bleeding is staunched.

With so many virtues, you can see how cayenne pepper is a seasoning well worth getting to know, as a palate pleaser, hot weather cooler and friend to your heart.