Commonly referred to as chili pepper, cayenne pepper is typically used to enhance the flavor of food. It is a kind of capsicum that ranges in length from 10 to 25 cm. This plant has a curled tip, is slender, and is typically red in color. Its skin is wavy and dangles from the shrub.
To be used in cooking, these chiles are harvested, dried, and processed into a powder. It is used to infuse meals with a fiery flavor while they cook. Another well-known herbal supplement with therapeutic uses is cayenne pepper, which has numerous health benefits. Despite having the name pepper, it does not belong to the piper genus, unlike black pepper. The name “capsicum” originates from a Greek word that
Description
The world’s largest producer, importer, and exporter of chili peppers is India. Around the world, there are more than 400 different types of cold. Their pungency, shape, size, and color are significantly influenced by the many types and stages of maturity. After potatoes and tomatoes, it is the third-most significant crop in the Solanaceae family.
Botanical Name:
Capsicum annuum
Family:
Solanaceae
Leaves:
Its glossy leaves can grow up to 7.5 cm in length and have a roughly oval form with smooth margins. Certain varieties have dark purple or black leaves that change color as the plant grows.
Flowers:
Singly in the leaf axil, white, star-shaped flowers measure about 1 centimeter in width.
Stem:
The smooth, upright, bushy stem has a green or purple tint and can reach a height of two feet.
Fruit:
The fruits of cayenne peppers are thin, pod-shaped, and taper toward the end. When ripe, they often turn a bright red hue, however certain varieties can also be yellow, orange, or even purple. They can be anywhere from 4 to 6 inches long. There can be a tiny wrinkle or ripple in the glossy, smooth skin. The white pith and seeds inside the fruit are strong sources of capsaicin; the substance that gives peppers their spiciness.
Habitat:
An annual herbaceous plant of the Solanaceae family, pepper is grown around the world in warm temperature zones, including tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, northern America, and southern and central Europe.
Parts Used:
- Fruit
Dosage:
- 30-60 mg
Chemical Constituents
Capsaicin, capsorubin, flavonoids, carotenoids, rubixanthi, steroidal saponins, and other compounds are present in red chili. As a result of stimulating blood flow and changing body temperature, capsaicin desensitizes nerve terminals and relieves pain locally.
Common Name
Cayenne, Capsicum, Hot pepper, Chili pepper, Chili, Tobasco and Spur pepper
Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper
- Antimicrobial
- Stimulant
- Analgesic
- Immunomodulator
- Rubefacient
- Maintains blood circulation
- Digestive
- Carminative
- Expectoration Inducer
- Antioxidant
- Diaphoretic
- Antifungal
- Metabolic stimulant
- Anti-irritant
Other Language Names of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
French name – piment de Cayenne, poivre de Cayenne
Spanish name – pimienta de Cayena
German name – Cayennepfeffer
Italian name – peperoncino di Caienna
Hindi Name – Lal mirchi
Sanskrit Names – Katuveera, Raktamaricha, Pittakarini
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Solanaceae |
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (light to digest) and Rooksha (dry), teekshana (strong)
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu (pungent)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Uses
- Bell pepper powder can be taken in doses of 3-5 grams and can be blended with honey or sugar to ease sore throats and improve voice.
- Regular consumption of a little amount of red chili powder as a spice with meals is advised for heart patients because it inhibits blood clotting.
- Applying mustard oil infused with red chilies can help with numbness.
- Applying red chilly along with castor oil works wonders for sprains and pains.
Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Benefits
Weight loss:
Cayenne pepper Rapid metabolism helps with weight loss since it burns calories more quickly. The molecules dihydrocapsiate and capsaicin are responsible for the metabolism-altering properties of cayenne pepper.
May Reduce Inflammation:
Cayenne pepper actually reduces inflammation. Cayenne peppers’ capsaicin helps promote blood circulation, which nourishes tissues and organs.
Boosts heart health:
Polyphenols, which are abundant in cayenne pepper, are chemicals with antioxidant qualities that support the health of the heart, brain, and blood vessels. Consuming foods high in antioxidants may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disorders, including cancer, stroke, and heart attacks, according to studies.
Cancer:
Cayenne pepper may aid the body’s cells in the battle against a variety of cancers, such as pancreatic, melanoma, and prostate cancer.
Improves Skin and Hair Health:
Cayenne pepper may have positive, healthful impacts on skin and hair, according to limited study. According to reports, the anti-inflammatory qualities of capsaicin, which is present in cayenne pepper, can help reduce skin redness and treat acne-related skin discoloration, all while encouraging healthier skin.
May improve gut health:
By promoting bowel regularity, hot peppers or cayenne powder may aid in stimulating the digestive system. Hot peppers, being a plant-based meal, have the potential to enhance gut bacteria diversity. Plant-based foods, like cayenne peppers, are high in dietary fiber. Short-chain fatty acids are produced by gut bacteria during the digestion of high-fiber meals. These short-chain fatty acids have hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, immunoregulatory, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Read Also: Rosemary Leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis) – Benefits, Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Side Effects
Digestive issues:
Cayenne pepper’s capsaicin can irritate the lining of the stomach, causing heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, and pain in the abdomen. Individuals who suffer from stomach disorders or ulcers ought to exercise extra caution.
Eye irritation:
Cayenne pepper can burn, redden, and tear your eyes if it gets in them.
Respiratory problems:
When cayenne pepper is inhaled, it can irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing, sneezing, and breathing difficulties.
Interaction with medications:
Certain drugs, including antacids and blood thinners, may interact with cayenne pepper. Consult your doctor before taking any medications if you use cayenne pepper.
Conclusion
Hot peppers like cayenne are frequently added to up the spice content of recipes like chili, curries, and stir-fries. When routinely ingested as part of a healthy diet, cayenne peppers, which are rich in nutrients like vitamin C and capsaicin as well as protective plant components, may be beneficial to health.
FAQS
What are the benefits of cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is really helpful for digestion. It aids in the breakdown of food by increasing the production of gastric juices and enzymes in the stomach.” Additionally, there’s proof that foods high in heat, like cayenne peppers, can increase the healthy bacteria in your stomach.
Are cayenne peppers safe to consume daily?
Fresh and dried cayenne peppers are safe to consume and provide flavor to a variety of dishes. However, overindulging in food can have unfavorable side effects including unsettled stomach or heartburn.
What negative consequences does cayenne pepper have?
Supplements containing capsicum or cayenne pepper, when taken orally, may irritate the stomach, mouth, or throat, harm taste buds, and lessen our capacity to completely taste food. Furthermore, gas, indigestion, diarrhea, and flatulence may result with these supplements. They may also make pre-existing ulcers worse.