Cayenne Pepper

It grows around the world in places such as India, East Africa, Mexico, and certain areas of the United States. In addition to being delicious, it adds a touch of heat to your food and provides some remarkable health benefits. Capsicum annuum (chili pepper) contains a variety of carotenoids, including capsanthin, capsorubin, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, phytofluene, and xanthophyll, and steroids, including capsicoside. Capsaicin is used internally for various conditions, including colic and for improving peripheral circulation, and externally for unbroken chilblains. A cream for topical application has been used to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia and other pain syndromes. Sensitization to C. annuum has been reported in a patient who was allergic to latex. It has been used orally for upset stomach, toothache, poor circulation, fever, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease prevention. Capsicum can be used topically to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis, shingles, rheumatoid arthritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Others have used capsicum for relief of muscle spasms and even as a gargle for laryngitis.