Supplements and Herbs (XX)

Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum)

 

Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

republished with permission from Dr. Juergen Buche’s former Preventorium site by Healing Cancer Naturally

Introductory note: In addition to the uses of cayenne paper listed below, two scientists I highly respect, Grazyna Fosar and Franz Bludorf,  suggest that cayenne pepper used in both sweet and salty dishes will contribute towards  countering the potentially noxious effect of the virtually unavoidable exposure to massive EMFs or electrosmog by strengthening our internal environment.

A topic of great importance is Cayenne Pepper, also known as Capsicum (see Definitions).

Dr. Christopher, Master Herbalist, never left home without it. There was always an ample supply of Cayenne Pepper in his bag whenever he made a house call. This hot little herb is phenomenal. There are so many uses for this herb, hang on to your hat, or in this case, your mouse!

According to Dr. Christopher, a heaping teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper in a cup of hot water will stop a heart attack in progress. I passed this nugget of information to a friend who has a history of heart attacks. For once he listened. When he had a massive heart attack several years ago that even his nitroglycerin couldn't stop, his wife made the "hot toddy" for him, it saved his life. He made it to the hospital and survived. Neither he, nor his wife, nor I believe he would be alive today if he had not drunk that cup cayenne tea.

There's even a whole book written about this *little hot tamal*. It's called Left For Dead, about a guy whose doctor promised him that he would "return to normal" after he had bypass surgery. It didn't quite happen that way for him and he had to take his health into his own hands. Capsicum DID help him return to normal. It's a really good book and easy read. Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble or Borders will probably have it if you're interested.

Back to the facts - Capsicum is a catalyst herb. Its stimulating properties speed the absorption and effectiveness of any herbs taken in combination with it. Capsicum combined with garlic & parsley will help lower blood pressure!

Capsicum increases the power of all other herbs. It is said to be unequaled for warding off diseases and equalizing blood circulation.

Capsicum also heals ulcers. Yup. You're reading that right. Capsicum helps heal ulcers. A favorite story of mine is the one from Dr. Christopher about the husband who had endured the pain of a stomach ulcer for as long as he could stand it. This husband decided he could take no more and wanted to end his life. When he went to the medicine cabinet to get pills to do the dastardly deed, he discovered his wife had replaced all the drugs with herbs. He saw the bottle of Cayenne Pepper capsules and figured that would surely kill him, so he took a handful. Being a considerate fellow, he didn't want his screams to disturb the neighbors, so he took an extra pillow with him to bed to muffle his screams. Was he ever surprised when his wife shook him awake the next morning and told him he was late for work! Hmmm'.... .Some of you husbands might be wondering whether he actually did die and gone to hell, but I assure you he was quite alive. What he didn't know is that capsicum stimulates the protective mucus-forming membranes of the stomach. It was the first time in years he had slept through the night.

It's a stimulant herb and a digestive aid, helping improve digestion and soothing inflammation. It helps remove toxins from the body, relieves gastrointestinal problems including bleeding ulcers, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence and even diarrhea. It helps relieve the pain of shingles, cluster headaches, and itching palms and feet of diabetes.

Capsicum has been proven beneficial for arthritis, cardiovascular disease, gastric ulcers, vascular headaches, impotence (resulting from venous insufficiency) infections, kidney problems, menstrual complains, respiratory conditions such as asthma and pleurisy, and thyroid dysfunction.

Capsicum is high in vitamins and minerals that are needed for healing. It can also be applied directly to a wound. I'm not going to tell you that it doesn't hurt, because it hurts like hell, but it will stop the bleeding. One friend sliced her thumb to the bone while cutting veggies. Brave soul that she is, she stuck it directly into cayenne pepper. Not only did she stop the bleeding, there was no scarring. A few screams, but no scarring. (I'm joking again. Yes, it burns, but only for a few minutes. You get a lot of exercise while it's cauterizing the wound. I know this because I've done it myself. Yes, I'd do it again if I decided to cut myself again. My priority is avoiding sharp objects.)

Cayenne Pepper has a rich supply of vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). Capsicum also contains carotenes. Carotenes are antioxidants known for their effects in helping prevent cancer and cardiovascular disorders and for helping to protect the body form carcinogenic and toxic chemicals. It also contains vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C, as well as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 (folic acid), cobalt and zinc.

It has also been found to be beneficial for chronic fatigue and mild depression.

For cholesterol, Capsicum significantly lowers serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides.

By reducing blood vessel dilation, capsicum is able to help people overcome their addiction to alcohol.

Capsicum is great for energy. A little Capsicum sprinkled in water and gargled will eliminate a sore throat.

Got a splinter? Combine Capsicum and Plantain and apply externally to draw out foreign items embedded in the skin.

Got cold feet? Sprinkle Capsicum in your socks (also helps prevent frostbite). If that's a bit strong, sprinkle it into your shoes. The heat will go through your socks.

Please note that taking one or two capsules of Capsicum is not going to do the trick. It might require seemingly large amounts (2 or 3 capsules 2 or 3 times a day) to achieve the desired results.

If you know of anyone else who would like to be added to this great list, let me know. If you want to forward this article to anyone else, please do.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Consult your health care professional.

Dr. Mary Lee, N. D.
Doctor of Naturopathy

To obtain herbs, to begin your own adventure in the world of herbs, for more information, please contact me at: naturalhealth at oasisonline.com

Source for this article:
The Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason, N.D.

Note by Dr. Buche: Dr. Jack Richason was my first teacher on the subject of Iridology. I studied under him way back in 1987 and it was a fine experience.

Dr. Buche, N.D. is a retired Naturopathic (meta) Physician in Montreal, Quebec, Canada ( jubuche at worldsites.net).

From a private comment: I have chronic liver disease and found out the hard way a year or so ago that taking too much cayenne can cause problems. I was drinking it in tea, about 1/2 a tsp. twice daily for a couple weeks or so. Then I started to develop symptoms of too much heat in my body, which is better now but I have to avoid heating foods. We're all different. Some say it should not be boiled in a tea, like I did, but I think the chronic Hep C may have been the reason why I had problems with it. Someone with no liver problems may do better with it. It's said to be toxic to the liver in certain people (like me). I liked the stimulation it gave me, but I took too much or for too long (few weeks or so).

 

 


 

Definition of pepper, capsicum, cayenne pepper
and capsaicin, adapted from Encyclopædia Britannica

Pepper

also called GARDEN PEPPER (Capsicum), any of a great number of plants of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, notably Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum boccatum, extensively cultivated throughout tropical Asia and equatorial America for their edible, pungent fruits.

The genus Capsicum comprises all the varied forms of fleshy-fruited peppers grown as herbaceous annuals--the red, green, and yellow peppers rich in vitamins A and C that are used in seasoning and as a vegetable food. Hot peppers, used as relishes, pickled, or ground into a fine powder for use as spices, derive their pungency from the compound capsaicin, a substance characterized by acrid vapours and burning taste, that is located in the internal partitions of the fruit. First isolated in 1876, capsaicin stimulates gastric secretions and, if used in excess, causes inflammation. In addition to the cherry (Cerasiforme group) and red cluster (Fasciculatum), these hot varieties, which are red when mature, include the tabasco (Conoides), which is commonly ground and mixed with vinegar to produce a hot sauce, and the long "hot" chili and cayenne (Longum), often called capsicums. Cayenne pepper, said to have originated in Cayenne in French Guiana, is one of the spices derived from these small-fruited species of Capsicum. Very pungent, cayenne pepper is produced in many parts of the world by drying and grinding these fruits.

Capsaicin and cayenne:
Addendum by Healing Cancer Naturally

Capsaicin and cancer research:
Marilyn Sterling is quoted with the following at freedomantiviral.addr.com/capsaicin.htm: "In the laboratory, cayenne has shown an ability to cause differentiation in cancer cells, returning them to normalcy. [Macho A. Selective induction of apoptosis by capsaicin in transformed cells: the role of reactive oxygen species and calcium. Cell Death Differ 1999 Feb; 6 (2):155-65.] In addition, cayenne directly inhibits cancer-cell growth. [Takahata K. Growth inhibition of capsaicin on HeLa cells is not mediated by intracellular calcium mobilization. Life Sci 1999; 64 (13): PL165-71.] Researchers have not yet tested cayenne's cancer-fighting effectiveness in animals or humans.
In animal cancer experimentation, Dr. S. Lehmann of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California LA School of Medicine and team tested capsaicin effects on human prostate cancer implanted in murine test subjects. They found that the tumors in mice consuming capsaicin were 1/5 the size of those not fed this substance: 80% of the malignant cells self-destructed through a process called apoptosis. While the study is preliminary, the findings suggest that this hot pepper component may benefit human cancer patients. Note however that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that animal testing results are frequently not transferable to humans, see
Cancer Research & Animal Experimentation: an Unholy Union?

Cayenne:
Cayenne pepper also is an essential ingredient in the “
Master Cleanser” formula. Based on just "lemonade" (made with maple syrup), this easy-to-prepare home-made formula appears to be a particularly effective way to fast and internally cleanse while preventing and healing various complaints and ailments without incurring significant energy loss or discomfort. Details on the Master Cleanser.
 

 

 

 

Disclaimer Welcome Why Alternatives ? Alternative Cancer Therapy Books
Johanna Budwig Diet & Protocol Cancer Causes Detoxification Downloads
Emotions •  Energetics •  Geopathic Stress & Cancer •  Gerson Therapy
Glossary“Greatest Hits” Hamer’s New MedicineHealing Cancer
Medical History Juicers & Juicing Light Healing Living Love
Lothar HirneiseHealing & Your Mind Nature Heals
Nutrition & Cancer Ozone Preventing Cancer
Self-Healing Links Spirituality & Cancer
SupplementsTestimonials
Thoughts on Healing
Site Map
Write
us


 

 

This site depends on your support, and you can contribute to its maintenance by giving as little as $3.00.
Click here for details.

 

Dedicated to Joyful Healing
© 2004, 2005 & 2006 www.healingcancernaturally.com
All Rights Reserved
Copyright Notice

USE OF THIS SITE SIGNIFIES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE DISCLAIMER.

Paradise Now
Ursula R. M. Schmid. P.O. Box 120244, 10592 Berlin, Germany,
Fax: +49 30 2639173 02053

 

Well Wishes

 

Tell a friend about this page