Cayenne

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Botanical Properties

Botanical Name
Capsicum minimum
Latin Name
Capsicum annuum
Other Names
Quinia or Guinea Pepper, Bird’s Beak, Chilliepin, Mad Pepper, Chili
Plant Family
Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Origins
Cayenne, French Guiana, Huaca Prieta 2,500 bce., Tupi Indian
Description
Fruits are long, tapering and curved skinny peppers. They can be herbaceous or shrub-like but are generally branching with green-brown stems and simple oval leaves. The plants produce flowers with five teeth (petals) which are usually white in color. Chilli pepper plants can reach heights in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 m (1.6–4.9 ft) tall. It is not a pepper, but rather a chile.
History
Records of cayenne are found on ancient human dwellings and fossil feces, dating as early as 7,000 bce. Cayenne was first cultivated between 5,200 and 3,400 bce. In the South American ancient Huaca Prieta, they date back to 2,500 bce. They were then introduced to Europe by Peter Martyr, the historian who accompanied Columbus to the New World, where they were initially sent to Spain, before spreading throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia, where the spice became popular in local cuisine.

Medicinal Properties

Recommended Cultivars
Capsicum annuum
Parts Used
Fruit only, ripe and dried
Key Properties
Capsaicin,Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Flavonoids Steroidal saponins, volatile oils
Used For
Taste
Hot and spicey, pungent and biting
Energetics
Very intense, Hot & Dry, Acrid 8-0 hotness
Key Properties
Capsaicin,Carotenoids, Vitamin C, Flavonoids Steroidal saponins, volatile oils
Systems Affected
Circulatory, Nervous, Heart, Immune
Specific Indications
Medicinal Uses

Capsaicin relieves pain by depleting neuropeptides which initiate pain perception (1). The pain is blocked without effects on other sensations such as touch and vibration. However, it can degenerate epidermal nerve fibers, which will reinnervate over a 6 week period of stopping use.

It gets the blood circulating, acts as an analgesic to relieve topical pain, and relieves congestion. It assists in digestion by stimulating both saliva and stomach enzymes and also signals the brain to release endorphins.

Vitamin A and C helps your immune system, which is why it’s useful for colds and flus..

It is a great heart tonic and some claim it can be first aid for a heart attack (2)

Can be used for toothaches, fever, heart disease, poor circulation, parasites, digestion, sore throat, depression, low libido, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and weightloss (3)

Actions
Stimulates Circulation especially towards gastrointestinal. Promotes blood flow, increases vascular permeability. Prevents and heals gastric ulcers. Warming circulatory stimulant, a safe tonic for the heart. Digestive aid. Capsaicin stimulates circulation and assists digestion by stimulating the release of saliva and stomach enzymes. Signals the brain to release endorphins to "feel good". Topical pain reliever. Aids the immune system. Good for the heart. Strengthens the heart. Lowers cholesterol, may reduce the severity of heart disease. Research suggests that Cayenne may help protect the mucosal lining of the stomach from the effects of nsaids. (Stargrove)

Quotations in Literature

After much experience and trying everything within my knowledge, to gain this important point, I fixed upon the medicine which I have called No. 2 [Cayenne, Capsicum spp.], in my patent, for that purpose; and after using it for many years, I am perfectly convinced that it is the best thing that can be made use of to hold the heat in the stomach until the system can be cleared of obstructions, so as to produce natural digestion of the food, which will nourish the body, establish perspiration and restore the health of the patient. I found it to be perfectly safe in all cases, and never knew any bad effects from administering it.

– Samuel Thompson

Medicinal Preparations

Tincture (1:5 in 25%)

Sprinkle in foods, tea, or hot chocolate

Infusion ½-1 tsp with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 mins. Mix 1 tbsp of infusion with warm water and drink as needed (Hoffman)

Topical Salve 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp cayenne powder, 1/8 cup beeswax, a few drops wintergreen. Make herbal oil first then make a salve with the beeswax.

Foot warmer, sprinkle no more than 1/8 tsp in shoes to warm toes. If too hot, mix with equal amount of dried ginger powder.

Cold Care Capsules, 1 part echinacea root powder, 1 part goldenseal powder, 1/2 part marshmallow root powder, 1/4-1/2 part cayenne, gelatin or vegetable capsules. At first sign of cold, take 2 capsules every 2/3 hours. Take up to 9 capsules a day for no more than 2-3 days.

Precautions & Contraditions

Don't use large amounts on the skin as it can irritate the skin. Always wash hands when handling so you do not accidentally get it in the eye. Do not take while pregnant, and always talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners before taking large amounts of Cayenne. Cayenne may decrease the bioavailability of aspirin. Should be tested before use for those that cannot healthily digest hot foods. ACE inhibitors may have increased use of cough when used with Capsaicin.

Plant Cultivation

Native To

India, East Africa, Mexico, U.S.

Zone

9-11 but seasonally in colder zones

Soil

Light, well-drained moist soil. Do not overwater

Propagation

16-20 days, Transplant 6-8 weeks after frost

Habit/Growing Conditions

Native Perennial, otherwise Annual, Easy to grow, Warm weather, fertile soil, full sun. Temperature of 60 degrees or highter until seeds sprout. Outdoor Transplanting 6-8 weeks after seeds are sown and danger of frost has passed.. Ammend soil before transplanting. Avoid too much nitrogen. Plant 18-24 inches apart.

Insects & Disease

Bacterial Spot, brown lesions on the underside of leaves, brown cankers on stems. Caused by warm, wet conditions. Use clean soil, remove crop debris after harvest. Dampening off & Fusarium wilt from poorly drained soil. Powdery mildew and blight from humidity. Mosaic patterned leaves from aphids. Flea beetles, leaf miners, leafroller, pepper weevil, thrips, tomato fruit worm, spider mites

Harvesting & Preparations

Harvest in 70-80 days. When ready, peppers will be 4-6 inches long and easily pull from stem. Snip from the plant to not cause damage. Store at 55 degrees. Harvest will continue until first frost.

Magical Attributes

Element

Fire

Planet

Mars

Gender

Masculine

Correspondence

Notations & References

Personal Notes:

Anti-coagulant and coagulant?

Tea: 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper + 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1tsp of honey in 1 cup of boiling water.

Salve: 1/2 cup olive oil, + 2 tbsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 oz beeswax

References:

  1. botanical.com
  2. plants.usda.gov
  3. PDR for Herbal Medicine p.173
  4. Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar, p.61-63
  5. Alchemy of Herbs p.54-55

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