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Zanzibar Pepper | | Name : | Zanzibar Pepper | | Synonyms : | Africapepper
Africanred pepper
Americanpepper
Americanred pepper
Birdpepper
Capsicum
Chilipepper
Chilies
Cockspurpepper
Gardenpepper
Goat'spepper
Podpepper
Redpepper
Spanishpepper
Zanzibarpepper
| | Parts Used : | Fruits | | Habitat : | From the Greek kapto, 'I bite', capsicum is a biting plant. The bestcomes from Africa, Asia, and South America. It is produced in goodquality in the Southern States, especially those that lie beyond thesouthern line of Tennessee. Grow in West Indies, Hungary, East Indies,Central America. | | Description : | A very hot pepper, cayenne is a perennial plant in its native tropicalAmerica but is annual when cultivated outside tropical zones. Growingto a height of 3 feet or more, its glabrous stem is woody at the bottomand branched near the top. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, entire,and petioled. The drooping, white to yellow glowers grow alone orin pairs or threes between April and September. The ripe fruit, orpepper, is a many-seeded pod with a leathery outside in various shadesof red or yellow.
Cayenne pepper (capsicum frutescens, var. longum) comes from theground, dried ripe red pepper pods of a small tropical shrub. Thisground red pepper, combined with yeast and flour, is baked into ahard cake, which is then ground into the finished spice. Used in curriesand chili powders; in small amounts added to bland foods like eggsand cream sauce. It has no odor and its taste is hot and acrid.
Paprika (capsicum frutescens) comes from the cayenne pepper. Differentvarieties of paprika vary in quality and pungency; some of the bestcome from Hungary. Uses include: goulashes, and to add color and flavorto many bland, savory dishes.
Other varieties: Long red cayenne (C. annum), also called Manchi-phalamin Sanskrit; Jalapeno, Anaheim, Hungarian Wax, Purple Venuzuetan. | | Constituents : | Alkaloids, apsaicine, capsacutin, capsaicin, capsanthine, capsicoPABA, fatty acids, flavonoids, sugars, carotene, volatile oil, andvitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and C
Appetizer, antiseptic, febrifuge, antibacterial, carminative, diaphoretic,rubefacient, condiment, nerve tonic, digestive, irritant, sialagogue(stimulates secretion of saliva), stimulant, and tonic (cayenne isusually mixed with other herbs in medicinal doses) | | Uses : | A stimulating stomachic. A catalyst for all herbs. Improves circulation,aids digestion by stimulatinggastric juices, stimulatesthe appetite, reduces inflammation,is a mild stimulant or tonic,improves metabolism, relieves gas, colds,chills, and stops bleeding from ulcers.Good for the kidneys, lungs, spleen, pancreas, heart, and stomach.Taken for nausea, scrofula, swollenlymph glands, rheumatism,arthritis, and pleurisy.Use with lobelia for nerves.
Recently, cayenne has been used successfully to treat patients withcluster headaches, a particularlypainful type of headache.
Used externally, cayenne liniment can soothe the stiffness and painof rheumatism and arthritis.
Can be used as a general stimulant to build up resistance at thebeginning of a cold, tonsilitis,laryngitis, hoarseness, shingles.It can be taken as an infusion for stomach and bowel pains or cramps.Small quantities of the fresh fruit or the powder will stimulateappetite, expels worms. Forexternal use, cayenne is made into plasters or liniment or the tinctureis applied to increase blood flow to areas afflicted with rheumatism,arthritis, pleuritis, or pericarditis. Said to increase fertilityand delay senility. In West India a remedy for scarlatina. Wards offseasickness.
While red pepper smarts a little, it can be put in an open wound,either in a fresh wound or an old ulcer, and it is very healing insteadof irritating; but black pepper, mustard, and vinegar are irritatingto an open wound and do not promote healing. | | Dosage : | Infusion: use 1/2 to 1 tsp. pepper per cup of boiling water.Take warm, 1 tbsp at a time.
Powder: for acute conditions, take 3-10 grains, for chronicconditions 1-3 grains.
Arthritis poultice:
Mullein leaves (6 parts) Slippery elm bark (9 parts) Lobelia (3 parts)Cayenne (1 part)
Add 3 oz. mixture to boiling water to make a paste. Spread the pasteon a cloth and apply to the affected area.
Kloss's liniment:
2 oz. gum myrrh 1 oz. goldenseal 1/2 oz. cayenne pepper
Put this mixture in a quart of rubbing alcohol (do not take internally).Let it stand for a week or 10 days, shaking every day. This can beused wherever a liniment is used or needed. (heals wounds, bruises,sprains, scalds, burns, and sunburns.Apply freely. In pyorrhea,rinse mouth with liniment or apply liniment on both sides of the gumswith a little cotton, Q-tip, or gauze.
To stimulate vitality: combine equal parts of cayenne pepperand ginger root powders. A half to 1 tsp. may be taken 2 or 3 timesdaily to stimulate circulation, vitality, and digestion and to preventillness. | | Safety : | Prolonged application to the skin can cause dermatitis and raiseblisters. Excessive consumption can cause gastroenteritis and kidneyor liver damage. Avoid touching the eyes, genitalia, or any cuts afterhandling fresh chilies.
If taken internally, do not exceed recommended doses. High dosestaken internally can cause gastroenteritis and kidney damage.
Cayenne can be irritating to hemorrhoids. Should not be used by peoplewith gastrointestinal problems. Never apply cayenne ointment or linimentto broken skin.
The seeds can be toxic, so do not use them.
Avoid therapeutic doses of cayenne during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. | | Myths : | Native to northeastern coastal areas of South America, these redhot peppers have been used in folk medicine since 7,000 BC.
The hot red cayenne chili arrived in the West from India in 1548and was known as Ginnie pepper. Gerard describes it as 'extreme hotand dry, even in the fourth degree,' and he recommended it for a skininfection commonly known then as the King's Evil. Cayenne was popularwith the 19th century physiomedicalists who used its warming propertiesfor chills, rheumatism, and depression.
The Herbalist Almanac states that if paprika is fed to yellow canarybirds, their plumage turns red. Paprika also improves the colorationof hatchery reared trout. It is also called pimiento; but should notbe confused with allspice, also called pimento. (Note difference inspelling).
Contrary to popular belief, hot, spicy food may actually be goodfor your health; if it contains liberal amounts of cayenne, also knownas capsicum. Cayenne is also very nutritious; peppers in general containiron, phosphorous, calcium, B-complex and more vitamin C than oranges.
According to Dr. Irwin Ziment of the UCLA School of Medicine, thehot, stinging sensation that follows biting into a chili pepper triggersthe release of endorphins by the brain, chemicals that relieve painand can cause a mild euphoria. Elevated triglycerides (over 190 mg)are a major risk factor for heart disease in women.
The 1987 study published in the Journal of Bioscience states thatrats fed a diet high in cayenne experienced a significant reductionin blood triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or 'bad'cholesterol. Capsaicin, a compound found in cayenne that gives thespice its 'kick', is an anti-inflammatory.
The incidence of blood clots in countries that routinely use curryin their cuisines is much lower than in the United States. Herbs suchas turmeric, garlic, cayenne, usual ingredients in curry powder, arebelieved to help prevent platelets from sticking together and formingdangerous blood clots that could result in heart attacks and stroke. | | Nutrient : | Sugars, carotene, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C | | Sold : | Powder, tincture, tablet, teas, liniment, and capsules.
Capsules: take 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily.
Tea: a cup of tea can be taken for stomach cramps or a coldon a daily basis. Prepared teas are available, or make it from driedherb. |
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