Pepper: Benefits and Nutritional Values

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Adapted from Ecorrazi


Health is wealth goes the popular saying; thus consumption of healthy meals in paramount to healthy leaving. In recent times, some people have been minimizing or completely running away from the consumption of hot peppers while making their meals because of its hotness.
In Nigeria, there are two major hot peppers that are consumed as part of the day-to-day meals. These are cayenne pepper and Scotch bonnet pepper. This write up will consider these two peppers separately. Part 1 will look at Cayenne pepper and part two, Scotch Bonnet pepper.

Part One
Cayenne Peppers or Capsicum is a kind of red chili pepper which is consumed as part of the food or as herbs for treating some forms of ailments.  In Nigeria Cayenne pepper is known with different names by different tribes. The Yoruba calls it ‘Shombo’; in Ibo, it is ‘ose talugwu’, while in Hausa, it is called ‘barkono’.

According to WebMd (an online platform that provides valuable health information and tools for managing health) Capsicum is used for various problems with digestion including upset stomach, intestinal gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, and cramps. It is also used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including poor circulation, excessive blood clotting, high cholesterol, and preventing heart disease. Other uses include relief of toothache, seasickness, alcoholism, malaria, and fever. It is also used to help people who have difficulty swallowing.

Cayenne pepper belongs to the Capsicum family and its botanical name is Capsicum annuum. It is the red or green chili pepper that is used to add spicy flavor to foods throughout the world. Cayenne contains vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, carotenoids and the complete B complex. It is also a source of calcium, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. (organicfacts.Net)

This plant has different uses, some of the key health benefits of cayenne pepper as listed on cayenne pepper info:
  • This herb is a great food for the circulatory system in that it feeds the necessary elements into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries so that these regain the elasticity of youth again, and the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal. It rebuilds the tissue in the stomach and heals the stomach and intestinal ulcers; in equalizing the blood circulation, it produces natural warmth in your body; and in stimulating the peristaltic motion of the intestines, it aids in assimilation and elimination.
  • It regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that the pressure is equalized; it influences the heart immediately, then gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries, and nerves (the frequency of the pulse is not increased, but is given more vigor).
  • Human circulation; it is warming; dilating; specific for varicose veins; equalizes the blood pressure in the arterial and venous system; actually equalizes blood pressure instantly.
  • It is useful in alleviating allergies, muscle cramp, improving digestion, gives more pep and energy, and helps wound healing with minimal scar tissue.
Basket of Cayenne Peppers
Basket of Cayenne Pepper adapted from Global healing center
  • It is a counter-irritant; it brings blood to the surface and allows the toxins to be taken away.
  • In an article reported on March 16, 2006 by Reuters, the main ingredient in Capsicum, capsaicin, was found to destroy prostate cancer cells. Here is what the article said,
  • Capsicum supports the natural beat (rhythm) of the viscera and interior actions of the glandular, circulatory, lymphatic, and digestive systems. It has been used with great success as a cure for spotted fever (?); the most active stimulant to support and re-animate feeble or exhausted powers.
  • This is a medicine of great value in the practice, and may be safely used in all cases of disease, to raise and retain the internal vital heat of the system, cause a free perspiration, and keep the determining powers to the surface. The only preparation is to have it reduced to a fine powder. For a dose, take from half to a teaspoonful in hot water or tea sweetened with honey.
  • A Dr. Coffin (evidently his real name) includes Capsicum in his composition powder to restore the normal function of the body in the various stages of pregnancy and childbirth. For morning sickness he recommends a combination of ‘White poplar bark, agrimony, centaury, raspberry leaves, yarrow and rhubarb, each a quarter of an ounce, steep in two quarts of water, strain, and add while hot two teaspoons of powdered cinnamon, half a teaspoonful of Capsicumr, and let the patient take one tablespoonful every three hours until the symptoms are removed if this should not relieve, give an emetic and repeat if necessary.
  • It is great for heartburn
  • Cayenne is a powerful rubefacient, meaning it helps the body remove toxins from the blood.
  • Capsicum is a general nervous stimulant; a specific for delirium tremens.
  • For atomic gout, in paralysis, in dropsy, in tympanitis, and in the debilitated stages of fever.
  • For scrofulous; dyspepsia; flatulence; it's an excellent carminative.
  • For sore throats—gargle (prepare the gargle with honey); for spasmodic and irritating coughs; heartburn and diarrhea.Capsicum annuum 'de Cayenne' 003
  • Enables feeble stomachs to digest food; for atonic dyspepsia; specific for hemorrhoids; cures intermittent fever; Capsicum has the power to control menorrhagia; relieves sea-sickness;
  • In delirium tremens it is beneficial by enabling the patient to retain and digest food.
  • Capsicum is particularly efficient in tonsillitis and the sore throat of scarlet fever and in diphtheria no application is so efficient as a strong gargle or wash make with Capsicum.
  • Promote digestion; relieves pains of the womb; removes obstructed menstruation; for quinsy; for all diseases of the throat; use as a plaster with honey for rheumatic pains, pains of the joints, gout, swellings, etc.; Use outwardly as a liniment, apply it warm or hot for arthritis and rheumatism; gargle for scarlet fever; use an infusion for ulcers in the mouth, strep throat or tonsillitis
  • Capsicum is an excellent remedy for a cold; mix infusion with slippery elm and molasses or honey, and take in doses throughout the day; also excellent for sore throat and coughs.
  • Cayenne mixed with pennyroyal (an herb) taken for three days will expel the dead birth material from a miscarriage.
  • Eases toothache; preserves the teeth from rotting, and when rubbed on the gums, stimulates them enough to prevent pyorrhea. 
  • Excellent for any type of internal hemorrhage, (create an infusion with bethroot or star root);
  • Capsicum is an important remedy in cholera; Capsicum stops vomiting; combine with equal parts of Capsicum and common table salt, one half ounce of each, one pint of good vinegar, give in tablespoon doses for cholera, vomiting "cholera morbus" -- the gross material associated with cholera from the system.
  • In chronic lumbago a plaster of Capsicum with garlic, pepper and liquid amber (silarasa) or storax is an efficient stimulant and rubefacient applicatio
  • When made into a lozenge with sugar and tragacanth it is a remedy for hoarseness.
  • For a carminative make pills of equal parts of Capsicum, rhubarb and ginger or aloes.
  • Combine Capsicum with cinchona for intermittent and lethargic affections and for atonic gout and in advanced stages of rheumatism.
  • Combine with asafetida and sweet flag root or camphor in the form of pills in cases of cholera.
  • Capsicum has a powerful action on the mucous membrane, and in hoarseness and sore throat, and in putrid throat a gargle made of Capsicum is particularly beneficial.
  • By pouring hot vinegar upon the fruits of Capsicum all the essential qualities are preserved. This vinegar is an excellent stomachic. 
There is still more to learn on the health benefit of Cayenne pepper, please take time to study more from the links below:


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