Cayenne

How many of us give cayenne pepper the respect it deserves?

Health practitioners have known for centuries that Cayenne is much more than a culinary spice. Chinese physicians utilised it for physiologic conditions which required “heat” and it has been referred to as the purest, most effective stimulating botanical in the herbal medicine chest. A powerful compound called capsaicin is what gives capsicum (cayenne) its heat and is also responsible for most of its beneficial effects on human physiology. The hotter the pepper (measured as Heat Units), the higher its content of capsaicin.

Cayenne was originally used by Native Americans, cultivated from as early as 7000 B.C. Throughout history it has been prescribed for skin and throat ailments, to counteract joint complaints, chills and poor mood. Nowadays, Mexican Indians continue to use cayenne as an internal disinfectant and protectant against contaminated food and also to help regulate abnormal body temperatures. Nature’s Way® has blended and encapsulated the finest cayenne peppers on the planet so you can get the health benefits of this incomparable herb without burning the tip of your tongue.

(Originally published in Health & Herbal News Magazine Volume 19, Issue 2)