Known as a popular spice in the kitchen, cayenne pepper can also be taken as a supplement due to its many health benefits. Cayenne, also known as red pepper or hot pepper, can be applied topically for its pain relieving properties which activate nerve endings to produce counter-irritation, which distracts the brain from the painful stimuli.
Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper Supplements
Cayenne pepper supplements can be used to help rheumatism, arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid), neuropathies, itching and frostbite. Cayenne increases circulation, both centrally and in the extremities. It does this by activating type “C’ neurons.
These neurons increase the contractility of the heart and dilate vessels. Cayenne’s circulatory effects are helpful for diabetic circulatory compromise, Meniere’s disease, heart disease and low blood pressure. In the stomach cayenne increases blood flow, decreases stomach spasms and causes a minor irritation of the stomach lining. This irritation is actually helpful because it stimulates the secretion of acid-protective mucus, which can heal ulcers.
Shopping For Quality Cayenne Pepper Supplements & Spices
Cayenne can be purchased as a spice in the grocery store for use in cooking. It can also be purchased at your health food store as an encapsulated powder or tincture. The strength of cayenne in the spice aisle is variable and depends on the initial quality of the herb and how long ago it was processed as the active ingredients in cayenne degrade over time.
Encapsulated powder or tinctures can be purchased as a standardized product, which assures that active ingredients are in the pepper and that you are taking in the same medicinal amount with each dose. Topically cayenne can be found in creams, salves and rubs, some of which are also standardized.
Cautions To Consider When Using Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne is an eye, wound and mucous membrane irritant so use caution when handling cayenne creams, salves, tinctures or open cayenne capsules. Cayenne decreases blood clotting and should not be used by those who are taking blood thinning medications or aspirin. Because cayenne increases circulation it can adversely affect blood pressure and may decrease the effectiveness of blood pressure medication. Cayenne may also alter the effect of the MAO inhibitor psychiatric drugs.
