Alternative Medicine Uses of Capsicum Or Cayenne Pepper
As An Herbal Remedy
Mary Hanna
Alternative Medicine practitioners are realizing that healing herbs
should be part of their arsenal against disease. The newest touted
natural herb is Capsicum, found in cayenne pepper. It has many benefits
whether taken internally or externally. When taken internally, capsicum
is an antibacterial which will encourage healing and deflect infections
while slowing the absorption of fat in the intestines to help fight
obesity. Because this natural herbal remedy is a stimulant, it improves
circulation. Capsicum will also stabilize blood pressure and lower
cholesterol. Herbalists are finding capsicum is useful in fighting a
variety of ailments.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the herb cayenne pepper had
its start as an herbal remedy. There are no writings on Capsicum in
ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Persia. The best guess that historians
are willing to put forward is that cayenne went to India and China some
time in the 14th or 15th century. It is believed that Europe started
cultivation around the 16th century. Today cayenne is still a popular
herb in the food industry. Now because of well designed and implemented
clinical studies it is widely accepted as an effective alternative
medicine. Pharmacopoeias of leading medical clinics from Austria,
Egypt, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland support this finding.
The natural healing herb Capsicum contained in cayenne pepper is loaded
with Vitamin A which is necessary for smooth skin and vision. Vitamin A
has been found to be the most powerful killer of free radicals, which
bombard us on a daily basis. Vitamin C is the other proponent active in
capsicum. The healing properties of Vitamin C are clearing blood clots,
eliminating plaque from the arteries, healing wounds and fighting
colds. By starving them of oxygen, capsicum causes tumor cells to die.
Capsicum can cause a burning sensation but in time you will get used to
it. The active ingredients in the herbal remedy, Capsicum, stimulate
the brain and salivary glands releasing endorphins into your body.
Endorphins are nature's natural painkiller giving us the feeling of
pleasure. Capsicum is also the main ingredient in pain killing rubs for
Arthritis and Diabetes nerve damage.
Many herbalists today recommend capsicum for such ailments as cold
hands and feet, sluggish metabolisms, obesity and respiratory tract
infections. Use it externally for arthritis, sore back muscles,
rheumatism or sprains and bruises. One suggestion for cold feet is to
wear a thin pair of socks, then get a thicker pair of socks, sprinkle
the inside with cayenne pepper and put them on over the thin socks. The
pepper will send a warm soothing sensation to the soles of your feet.
An interesting study was done to see if capsicum would irritate or
cause ulceration in the intestines. On the contrary it was found that
the herb did not harm the tract but sped up the healing of ulcers by
secreting more mucosa, the protective lining of the intestines.
A very surprising result of many of the clinical tests is that capsicum
raise the metabolic rate and is effective in burning the bodies fat.
This has many implications for people with obesity problems. Early
indications also show that capsicum slows the absorption of fat in the
small intestine. These studies are on going but there are some weight
loss products with capsicum that are available in your health food
store.
As a tropical analgesic, capsicum, the natural herbal remedy has
received wide attention by qualified health professionals. It has shown
to relieve the pain of shingles as well as other skin ailments. The FDA
has approved it to be used for these problems as well as rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies are being done to see if the herb
can be effective in treating psoriasis and fibromyalgia.
When using it topically a redness or burning sensation may sometimes
occur. This will disappear in two to three weeks time. Once you have
received control of the pain capsicum must be used continuously for the
relief to be sustained.
If you are diabetic take 3 capsules a day to help bring down your blood
sugar levels. Capsicum will affect the breakdown of carbohydrates which
will control the fluctuation of sugar levels after eating meals. Of
course, this is still being studied in clinics around the world.
So now we have received another healing herb from Mother Nature's food
pharmacy. Capsicum can be counted as a natural herbal remedy in
alternative medicines available to help our ailments and relieve our
pain.
Disclaimer: Always consult your Doctor or Herbalist before attempting
any form of alternative medicine. This article is for informational
purposes only.
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. Mary
has also published articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking for more
information on these subjects visit
http://www.GardeningHerb.com http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com
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