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The health benefits of cayenne pepper include weight loss, digestion, immunity, heart diseases, dyspepsia, inflammation, headache, throat congestion, and blood circulation.
Cayenne pepper belongs to the Capsicum family and its botanical name is Capsicum annuum. It is the red chili pepper that is used to add flavor in food and has high medicinal values. Cayenne contains vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, carotenoids and the complete B complexes. It is also a source of organic calcium potassium, manganese and dietary fiber.
The medicinal or health benefits of the Cayenne pepper include:
- Good for stomach: Cayenne pepper added diet helps avoid stomach aches, gas and cramps. Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine recommends cayenne for proper digestion as it stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.
- Rheumatic and arthritic pains: Topical application of cayenne pepper causes irritation in the applied area thus, helps distract the nerves from joint pains due to arthritis.
- Sore throats: Cayenne added water can be used to gargle with, to cure sore throats.
- Avoid congestion: Capsaicin stimulates secretions, which helps to clear the mucus from nose and lungs by clearing the sinuses and causing sweating. Cayenne pepper added tea is good in conditions of cold and flu.
- Improves blood circulation: When any body part is sick, the blood flow to that area is usually affected. Cayenne helps to remove that entire blotch, stimulates the blood flow and makes sure that the vitamins are properly delivered to all areas and waste is removed.
- Heart disease: There are evidences that prove that giving cayenne extract orally, to a patient, helps to stop heart attack. Cayenne helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Cayenne helps to dissolve fibrin which causes formation of blood clots. It also reduces triglyceride levels.
- Cure Headaches: Smelling cayenne helps cure headaches. Topical application of capsaicin also helps to relieve them.
- Prevent ulcer: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that has the ability to prevent ulcers.
- Relieves respiratory problems: Cayenne pepper is a source of beta-carotene which is helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma.
- Boosts immunity: Vitamin A or beta-carotene, in cayenne pepper, gives protection against invading pathogens by helping the development of healthy mucus membranes in the nasal passage, lungs and urinary tracts, thereby giving immunity to infections.
- Helps reduce weight: Cayenne added food helps lose weight with proper digestion. Therefore, it also reduces excess appetite due to mal-absorption.
- Good Anti-oxidant: Beta-carotene contained in cayenne pepper works as a good antioxidant that prevents or repairs the damages caused by free radicals. Thus, it prevents atherosclerosis and colon cancer.
- It is also very effective in relieving diabetic complications like nerve damage and heart disease. It gives temporary relief of pain from psoriasis, herpes zoster, neuralgia, and toothache.
- Cayenne pepper improves the effectiveness of other herbs.
Precaution: Like all other foods or herbs, we have to be careful when using this herb also. Excess consumption may cause burning sensations in the throat, stomach, or rectum.
This article was contributed by Gisha and edited by Prerna.
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