What is cayenne pepper? Cayenne is a wonderful plant, whose remarkable properties are still little appreciated, and the use of which is mainly as a food additive in cooking.
It is quite often found in the form of seasoning powder, dried and ground chili pepper. Known worldwide herbalist John Christopher so zealously advocated the greatest possible use of the seasoning that it earned him the nickname "Dr. Cayenne." Another herbalist, Dr. Richard Schulze, recommends putting cayenne pepper at the top of the list of the ten most significant herbs that need to be available at home. Why? Because cayenne pepper "makes the nine other herbs work more efficiently."
What is so wonderful about cayenne pepper? This herb stimulates and accelerates blood circulation stimulating the cells to carry nutrients more efficiently. Also, cayenne pepper has a special set of properties, which act on the body, and in particular on the cardiovascular system. Dr. Schulze points out: "Cayenne pepper consists of many excellent phytoelements, vitamins (especially C and E) and minerals (including magnesium). It purifies the blood, allowing hormonal signals to pass through the body without delay and loss, thus making the immune system's response to them faster and more efficient. "
So, among a good deal of cayenne pepper benefits it can be said that it:
1. Strengthens the heart and it has been said that it is able to stop the onset of a heart attack.
2. Accelerates blood circulation, cleanses the arteries from sclerotic plaques, restoring red blood cells.
3. Helps digestion and even cures peptic ulcer disease (as paradoxical as it may sound!).
4. Stimulates liver and gallbladder.
5. Able to fight prostate cancer and reduce the amount of tumors.
6. Has strong anti-inflammatory properties and alleviates the symptoms of arthritis.
7. Able to treat hemorrhoids.
8. Stops bleeding.
9. Normalizes the amount of triglycerides in the blood.
10. Has antifungal properties.
Among other advantages cayenne pepper is much cheaper than drugs and has no side effects. You would think that a side effect of red pepper would be a stomach ulcer or gastritis? Completely in vain. Doctors have long been aware that the cause of gastric diseases is not spicy food, but the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. Of course, if you have untreated gastritis, the use of pepper will add discomfort, and, therefore, you should first get rid of the bacteria H. Pylori (especially now that it's pretty easy) and then you can eat as much pepper as you like, without any kind of consequences for health.
How to choose and how to use cayenne pepper
Unfortunately, currently chili pepper, which is made of powder of cayenne pepper, as well as other products, may be filled with a variety of pesticides, herbicides and other products of little use. Therefore, it is desirable to buy organically grown peppers from reputable manufacturers. Cayenne pepper is ranked depending on its strength on the Scoville scale Units (SCU) and usually has sharpness of 40 thousand, 60 thousand or 90 thousand units. Until you get used to this kind of product, it would be better to get started with an average intensity of 40 thousand units.
A particularly valuable substance contained in red pepper is capsaicin, which has a medicinal effect. The higher the sharpness level, the greater the capsaicin in a pepper and so its usefulness. This material is so useful that it is produced in the form of capsules and sold in pharmacies. But capsaicin in the drug form is not as effective as natural capsaicin. Natural pepper affects the nerves of the mouth and throat and stimulates the nervous system and circulatory system and acts immediately once placed in the mouth. So it is better to use natural capsaicin, and add pepper to your food. Chinese medicine recommends adding 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper powder in a glass of water with lemon juice, drink it several times a day. For first-timers, it is better to start with a smaller quantity, such as half a teaspoon for a few days and slowly increase it.
If you actually are not used to spicy food, then wash down the pepper with cold water or milk to relieve the discomfort. Having said that, you will certainly be surprised how quickly you get used to the sharpness, and soon cease to notice it. That means you can buy more hot peppers.