Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
History of Cayenne
Cayenne is believed to be from Cayenne, French Guiana. It grows in India, East Africa, Mexico, and some parts of the United States. Cayenne is usually dried then ground into a fine powder but sometimes people use it fresh. It is said that cayenne pepper can lift one's moods, raise one's energy levels, weight loss, and hair gain. As a detox, it will clear the toxins from the body.
Cayenne is used to fight off colds
Taking cayenne pepper for colds is good because it breaks up the mucus in the body while ginger will help burn out the harmful bacteria. Drinking cayenne tea should be drunk when sick or when a cold is just starting. Since capsaicin is an ingredient in the cayenne pepper it is believed that it will help relieve symptoms like running nose, sneezing, stuffy nose when the cause is not caused by smoking or allergies.
Here is a cold recipe that I make and take when I have a cold.
Cough Syrup
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoon water
In a jar, combine and stir all the ingredients. Keep in the refrigerator. Take a tablespoon as needed.
Tea for Cleaning Sinuses
Mix cayenne pepper, and apple cider vinegar in hot water.
Cayenne may reduce cancer risk
There have been many studies in the past that have shown that the ingredient capsaicin in cayenne has the ability to induce apoptosis which is the death of cancer cells. In other studies, capsaicin has helped manage prostate cancer.
Cayenne may reduce high blood pressure
Cayenne pepper can help lower your blood pressure because it can open up your blood vessels which then leads to an increase in blood flow. Your blood pressure goes down due to an increase in the blood flowing in your body. Cayenne pepper is a supplement so you need to still take your medications. Before you go to bed drink 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in warm water.
Cayenne may relieve pain
Cayenne Pepper is full of antioxidants. Cayenne pepper has the following vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, beta carotene, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, folate, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and phosphorous. All good nutrients are good for your health. Capsaicin has been known to relieve joint and arthritis pain. Just put the capsaicin cream on the joints and where the pain is. It is also good for osteoarthritis pain and for those suffering from fibromyalgia.
Cayenne Tea
Cayenne tea with lemon and water will stimulate your digestive system, shield your heart, and support weight loss. Usually, this tea is drunk as a detox but people do drink it on a daily basis to enhance their overall health. There are many recipes for this tea but this recipe is a favorite of mine.
Ingredients:
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 cup water
½ fresh lemon
Bring the water to a boil. Add the cayenne pepper. Stir until it is mixed. Then squeeze the lemon. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Then drink and enjoy a cup of cayenne tea.
Side Effects of Cayenne:
Cayenne pepper can have some side effects which include an upset stomach and heartburn if you eat too many. If you drink too much tea, it may cause liver or kidney damage. Cayenne may interact with the following medications blood thinners, aspirin, antacids, and ACE inhibitors. Consult with your doctor before drinking cayenne tea if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor so before drinking cayenne tea, consult your doctor or naturopath to make sure it is safe for you to consume.
