We all know of cayenne pepper as a hot spice to add to Asian cuisine. A member of the Capsicum family, cayenne is also known as cow-horn pepper, red hot chili pepper, bird pepper or red pepper. But what you may not know is the amazing health benefits cayenne pepper provides. A very high source of vitamin A, it also contains vitamins B6, E, C as well as minerals potassium & manganese.
Ever heard of the Lemon Detox Diet? Using cayenne as the active ingredient in a combination with lemon juice, maple syrup & water, this regime was spouted as a miracle weight loss – well it would if you weren’t eating any food at the same time! Despite the bad rap during the Lemon Detox fad, research has shown that cayenne can boost metabolism assisting with weight loss. Once consumed, cayenne pepper dilates the blood vessels & speeds up the metabolism with its active component called capsaicin. It also helps to suppress hunger & normalise blood sugar levels.
Cayenne does have many therapeutic benefits & has long been used in herbal medicine to treat various conditions.
Top 3 Reasons to Use Cayenne
Detoxing & Digestion
Cayenne stimulates our circulatory system & helps to remove acid to detoxify our system. It also stimulates our saliva glands to produce more saliva which helps digestion. It increases digestive enzyme production & gastric juices which helps us to metabolise food & prevent bloating & flatulence.
Cardiovascular Health
Cayenne’s circulatory stimulation actions help to prevent blood clots by increasing fibrinolytic activity (fibrin is a fibrous protein involved in the clotting of blood). It helps to clear away fat deposits in the arteries & blood vessels & lowers LDL cholesterol & triglycerides. Cayenne assists in maintaining healthy peripheral circulation which can help people who suffer from cold hands & feet.
Anti-inflammatory & Pain Relief
Cayenne has the ability to reduce the production of a chemical called substance P. Substance P carries pain messages to our brain. Research has shown that following major surgery, such as a mastectomy, cayenne can help to relieve pain. It can also assist with conditions involving the nerves, joint & muscular pain such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis.
Cayenne in its dried powdered form can be added to food. It is also available in a capsule for easy supplementation or a cream to apply topically to the skin.
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