Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is used in lemon detox diet (Master Cleanse Diet). Cayenne adds flavor and heat to the diet. Cayenne Pepper has also long been used as medicine in many cultures. Ancient usage of cayenne tracks back to Greece, China, and the Middle East. It acts as a stimulant to blood flow, increases the action of mucous membranes, heals muscle aches, and cleanses the body.

Cayenne pepper is a member of the Solanacea family of plants, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and deadly nightshade. Cayenne peppers originated in South America and the West Indies. Cayenne pepper has the unique ability to stimulate circulation and to bind tissues together. Because of these cleansing qualities, it is often used in herbal therapies that demand an increase in blood circulation. It is also used as well as in detox programs. Because cayenne pepper is a stimulant, it can keep a person awake and prevent grogginess.

Most of the pepper family act as digestive irritants, that is, they irritate the digestive tract. That is why people who have an irritable stomach, or stomach ulcers, should not use black pepper to season their food. Cayenne pepper will stimulate the production of digestive juices, but the use of cayenne is healing to the stomach tissues and other digestive organs. Therefore, its usage in foods can add spice as well as to heal inflamed tissues.

Clinically, cayenne pepper is used to treat various inflammatory conditions, such as chronic urethritis, colitis, gastritis, mastoiditis, and hemorrhoids. Cayenne has also been used to treat recovering alcoholics. Other uses include toothache, asthma, bronchitis and fever. Because of its ability to improve blood flow, cayenne is used by herbalists to heal muscle and joint pain, and even to speed healing of damaged tissue. Increased blood flow provides a source of healing nutrients to the tissue, and the blood carries away the toxins from the damaged or wounded area.

Lemonade with cayenne pepper is also a household remedy for colds and flu. It can be helpful to decrease the flow of mucous when you have a cold. To make, squeeze the juice from half lemon into a glass of water and add a touch of cayenne. Sweeten to taste with either maple sugar or honey.