Cayenne

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Cayenne
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper
- Capsicum
- Chili pepper
- Bird pepper
- Africa pepper
- Pod pepper
- Spanish pepper
- Zanzibar pepper
- Cockspur pepper
- Goat's pepper
- American pepper

Latin Name: Capsicum frutescens or Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae [nightshade] family)

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Circulatory stimulant and warming remedy - Used worldwide for poor circulation, cold hands and feet; every culture that grows it uses it medicinally
• Digestive aid and appetite stimulant - Universal traditional use as a carminative and digestive tonic
• Cold and flu remedy - Traditional use as a diaphoretic to induce sweating and break fevers
• Antimicrobial food preservative - Mayan herbal medicine; used as a condiment in hot climates to reduce risk of foodborne illness from spoiled food
• First aid styptic - Traditional use to stop bleeding from wounds; Romany people used it for emergency first aid
• External liniment - Traditional application to increase blood flow for rheumatism, arthritis, and muscle pain
• Fumigant - Romany tradition; powdered pepper heated on a tin lid to drive out harmful insects and rodents

Modern Uses

• Neuralgic pain and shingles | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Extensive clinical research confirms capsaicin has strong local analgesic activity in certain types of nerve pain. Applied to the skin, capsaicin desensitizes nerve endings by depleting substance P (a chemical messenger of pain) and acts as a counter-irritant. Preparations are standardly prescribed for relief of neuralgic pain, including post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain). Capsaicin also reduces postoperative nerve pain after breast surgery, amputation, and thoracotomy.

• Source citations: Chevallier – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Balch – Prescription for Herbal Healing; German Commission E

• Arthritis and joint pain | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Capsaicin acts as a counterirritant, causing temporary irritation to the skin that depletes substance P and blocks pain messages from reaching the brain. Applied as a cream, capsaicin permeates the skin, enters the nerve, and eliminates pain signaling. Cayenne seemed to relieve pain more in patients with osteoarthritis than rheumatoid arthritis. In one study, patients with osteoarthritis using 0.075% cream four times daily for four weeks had less pain and tenderness. The German Commission E approves cayenne for rheumatism and muscular soreness.

• Source citations: Balch – Prescription for Herbal Healing; Chevallier – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; German Commission E

• Diabetic neuropathy | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: In patients with diabetes who had nerve pain, cayenne cream was effective in reducing pain, though burning was a frequent initial side effect. One study using 0.075% cream applied four times daily showed significant reduction in pain severity (45% reduction on pain scale), with half of patients improved or experiencing relief.

• Source citations: Balch – Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Circulatory support | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Cayenne is an important circulatory herb that improves blood flow to the hands, feet, and central organs. It increases circulation to every area of the body it contacts, internally or externally, and strengthens the heartbeat. May be taken in frequent, small doses for a weak or failing heart. Herbalists of the early 20th century, especially Dr. John Christopher, enthusiastically recommended cayenne for cardiovascular health.

• Source citations: Chevallier – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Hobbs – Grow It, Heal It; Easley – The Modern Herbal Dispensatory

• Digestive complaints | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Cayenne stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and is taken to relieve gas, colic, and dyspepsia. Contrary to popular Western belief that hot spices upset the stomach, much of the world uses cayenne to soothe digestive upset. The inside of the stomach can actually be protected from extensive aspirin use by taking cayenne in advance, as it delays gastric mucosal damage compared to aspirin alone.

• Source citations: Chevallier – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Balch – Prescription for Herbal Healing; Lust – The Herb Book

• Weight management | Research quality: Preliminary to Moderate

• Key findings: A clinical study at Laval University in Quebec found that eating cayenne at breakfast decreased appetite and led to lower fat and calorie intake throughout the day. Cayenne helps boost metabolism and induces the body to burn more fat. It may also help attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia when taking 30 grams per day.

• Source citations: Balch – Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Cold and flu support | Research quality: Traditional/Moderate

• Key findings: Cayenne is used as a general stimulant and to build up resistance at the beginning of a cold. Its heating qualities and ability to induce sweating make it valuable for breaking fevers and fighting infections. A pinch of cayenne is excellent in gargles for sore throats. Cayenne is commonly combined with echinacea and goldenseal in cold care formulas.

• Source citations: Gladstar – Medicinal Herbs; Lust – The Herb Book; Chevallier – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

• Emergency first aid (bleeding) | Research quality: Traditional

• Key findings: Cayenne is famous as a styptic, stopping the flow of blood in emergency first-aid situations. It will sting intensely when applied to an open cut but will stop bleeding rapidly. Also has disinfectant properties.
• Source citations: Bennett – The Gift of Healing Herbs; Easley – The Modern Herbal Dispensatory

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Capsaicin (0.1–1.5%) - The main pungent compound responsible for heat and pain-relieving properties; depletes substance P from nerve endings; active ingredient in prescription pain creams and personal protection sprays
- Carotenoids - Antioxidant pigments contributing to red/orange color
- Flavonoids - Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds
- Vitamin C - Antioxidant; cayenne is a good source
- Steroidal saponins (capsicidins) - Found in seeds only; contribute to medicinal activity
- Volatile oils - Contribute to warming, stimulating effects

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Powder/capsules
- Amount: 30–120 mg three times daily
- Frequency: With meals

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Capsules or powder mixed with starchy food
- Amount: For acute conditions, 200–650 mg (3–10 grains); for chronic conditions, 65–200 mg (1–3 grains)
- Purpose: General stimulation, digestive support, circulatory enhancement
- Duration: As needed; not for prolonged high-dose use

Infusion:
- Preparation: ½ to 1 teaspoon pepper per cup of boiling water
- Dosage: Take warm, 1 tablespoon at a time

Tincture:
- Fresh fruit (1:2, 95% alcohol) or dried fruit (1:5, 60% alcohol)
- Dosage: 5 drops to 1 mL (0.2 tsp) in water, milk, or coconut milk (milk reduces irritation)

Capsules:
- Amount: 500–1,500 mg up to 3 times daily
- Note: Preferably with food to buffer irritating effects; 1–4 capsules twice daily is typical range

Topical (External):
- Form: Capsaicin cream
- Concentration: 0.025%–0.075% capsaicin
- Amount: Apply to affected area 3–4 times daily
- Daily dose: Up to 10 grams of cream externally

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Topical application of more than 1% cream concentration may be neurotoxic
- Warning threshold: Large doses can cause stomach convulsions; excessive consumption may cause gastroenteritis and kidney damage

Bioavailability Notes:
- Heat tolerance: Small amounts go a long way; start with extremely small doses to build tolerance
- Form considerations: Mix powder with starchy food to reduce gastric irritation; milk or coconut milk buffers the irritating effects better than water

How to Take It

Timing:
- Best time of day: Any time; traditionally taken with meals
- With food or on empty stomach? Always with food to buffer irritating effects
- Specific timing notes: For cold prevention, take at first sign of symptoms every 2–3 hours. For topical use, apply 3–4 times daily; burning sensation subsides with continued use over several days.

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Echinacea + Goldenseal - Classic cold care combination; cayenne acts as a stimulating accelerant | Gladstar's Cold Care Capsules recipe combines all three with marshmallow root
2. Ginger - Both warming circulatory stimulants; synergistic for cold/flu and poor circulation | Traditional pairing in many herbal formulas
3. Garlic - Both antimicrobial and circulatory stimulants | Combined for immune support and cardiovascular health
4. Turmeric - Both anti-inflammatory; cayenne increases circulation to deliver turmeric's compounds | Traditional combination in warming formulas

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other blood-thinning herbs (high-dose garlic, ginkgo, vitamin E) - Combined effect may increase bleeding risk | Use caution with multiple anticoagulant herbs

Drug Interactions:
1. Anticoagulants (Warfarin/Coumadin, Heparin, Aspirin) - Cayenne may reduce blood's ability to clot | Increased bleeding risk | Severity: Moderate to Severe
2. ACE inhibitors - Cayenne may exacerbate ACE inhibitor-induced cough | Discontinue cayenne if coughing occurs | Severity: Moderate
3. Theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theolair, Theo-Dur) - Drug may become toxic when combined with cayenne | Do not use together | Severity: Severe
4. Barbiturates - Concurrent use with cayenne may decrease drug effectiveness | Severity: Moderate
5. Aspirin - Concurrent use may decrease aspirin effectiveness | Severity: Mild to Moderate
6. CYP1A2 substrates - Regular cayenne use reduces liver CYP1A2 enzyme activity; may increase side effects of: clomipramine (Anafranil), clozapine (Clozaril), imipramine (Tofranil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), tacrine (Cognex), warfarin (Coumadin), zileuton (Zyflo) | Severity: Moderate

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions beyond general heat tolerance

Contact Lens Warning:
- Both capsaicin and cayenne are extremely difficult to remove from contact lenses
- Even cleaning lenses twice will leave enough residue to cause severe eye irritation
- Do not use any lens that may be contaminated without consulting an eye care professional

Safety Information

General Cautions:
- Skin sensitivity: Can burn skin, especially fair or sensitive skin; wear gloves when handling
- Eye contact: Never touch eyes after handling cayenne; causes intense stinging
- Mucous membranes: Extremely irritating to eyes, genitalia, sinuses, and other mucous membranes
- Broken skin: Do not apply capsaicin cream to broken skin
- Topical redness: If redness occurs from cream, stop using; should clear within 72 hours

Conditions to Avoid:
- Hemorrhoids or anal fissures (not recommended)
- Active gastric ulcers (use with caution)
- Known allergy to cayenne (may cause sneezing and runny nose)

Long-Term Use:
- Safety of prolonged use: Chronic exposure may lead to increased cough
- Prolonged topical application can cause dermatitis and blistering
- Monitoring recommendations: Watch for signs of gastric irritation with long-term internal use
- Some concerns about high-dose long-term use and gastric effects

Pregnancy and Lactation:
- Use with caution during pregnancy
- Consult healthcare provider before use

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Nerve pain (neuralgia, shingles), arthritis and joint pain, poor circulation, cold extremities, digestive support, cold and flu

Secondary: Diabetic neuropathy, weight management, muscle soreness, sore throat, emergency bleeding (styptic), metabolism boost

Sources

Local Library:
- Balch, Phyllis – Prescription for Herbal Healing (clinical studies on arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, weight management, drug interactions, CYP1A2 effects, dosing, gastric protection research)
- Bennett, Robin Rose – The Gift of Healing Herbs (traditional uses, first aid styptic use, Romany fumigant tradition, disinfectant properties, nightshade family information)
- Chevallier, Andrew – Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (key constituents, key actions, traditional and current uses, antimicrobial activity, Mayan medicine, self-help uses, European introduction history)
- Easley, Thomas – The Modern Herbal Dispensatory (tincture preparation ratios, glycerite dosing, capsule dosing, energetics, specific indications, warnings about hemorrhoids and ACE inhibitors, Thomsonian/Physiomedicalism context)
- Gladstar, Rosemary – Medicinal Herbs (Cold Care Capsules recipe, safety factors, key constituents, nightshade family caution, foot warmer use, dosing guidance)
- Hobbs, Christopher – Grow It, Heal It (Dr. John Christopher's recommendations, cultivation, preparations and dosage, healing properties, endorphin effects, safety notes)
- Lust, John – The Herb Book (common names, medicinal part, description, properties and uses, preparation and dosage, infusion recipe, cautions about prolonged use)
- Tourles, Stephanie L. – Hands-On Healing Remedies (capsaicin as circulatory stimulant, contraindications, liniment uses, infection-fighting properties)
- Tourles, Stephanie L. – Natural Foot Care (Greek etymology, antibacterial/antiviral properties, ointment uses, cautions)

General Knowledge:
- Core identification framework, basic traditional uses structure
- German Commission E findings (as cited through multiple sources)