I know I’ve rambled on about the vitamin B-12 thing in my previous articles, so on to the letter “C.”
Cayenne red pepper. Most commonly, you’re probably used to using it in a hot and spicy dish either whole or as a powder. (I personally feel the powder is more convenient). Cooking with cayenne is only part of the story.
While some people don’t care for hot and spicy foods, in the case of this particular red pepper, there are a host of medicinal properties that come with “the burn.” Before I continue, let me say that I am not a doctor- this is my personal experience.
Being that I live in the so called “paradise” which we call South Florida, it can be literally like a jungle. In fact, if a botanist ever came out here where I live, he could probably make a career trying to identify all of the plants. One of those of course (the easy one), would be poison ivy.
Although I know to stay away from it, sometimes it seems to hide- and sneak up on you, and you don’t realize it until the itching starts! That’s where the cayenne comes in.
I mixed up a paste made of water and ground cayenne red pepper, rubbed it on, and after about five minutes the it started to burn a little, and the itching went away.
Now the only reason I tried this, was because I couldn’t see how causing pain could stop pain. But it actually doesn’t work quite that way.
From what I understand, the main ingredient in cayenne pepper (capsaicin), stimulates a reaction (in many cases), that seems to either block or interfere with pain. Capsaicin is also found in the other “hot peppers.” The more of it, the hotter the pepper.
I have also used cayenne on fire ant bites, spider bites, and (although painful at first), a cut hand. This seems to be suggesting some good uses as a topical pain reliever.
I haven’t tried all of the different uses such as making a tea out of it for ulcers, or rubbing it on for headaches, but that’s only part of what I’ve heard it can be used for.
I do know that contains beta carotene, so there you get some vitamin A out of it. I personally like adding about two teaspoons to some V-8 (stir WELL), and it seems to open the sinuses and have a “cleansing” effect.
In closing, if you handle cayenne with your hands, be sure to wash them before rubbing your eyes, nose, or any sensitive areas.
