Is Cayenne Pepper Good For Health?

Cayenne, used for culinary and medicinal purposes, takes its name from its area of origin, the Cayenne region of French Guiana. The spice's popularity has prompted growers to cultivate it in such far-flung places as India, Africa and throughout the Americas. The medicinal uses of cayenne reportedly go back as far as 9,000 years ago, when Native Americans used the herb to treat a variety of diseases. The substance that makes cayenne spicy, capsaicin, is the medicinal compound that allows the plant to confer a wide range of health benefits.

Digestive Benefits

Taking cayenne for stomach pain may seem counter-intuitive, but in fact the spice depletes a pain messenger in the stomach and alleviates the source of discomfort. The same mechanism of action also applies to the relief of indigestion. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reports that aside from relieving pain, capsaicin may actually protect the lining of the stomach from ulcers resulting from the use of anti-inflammatory medications.

Topical Analgesic

Cayenne may be best known for its ability to provide topical pain relief. When capsaicin is applied, it causes the body to release a chemical pain messenger called substance P. The supply of the chemical decreases each time the cayenne is applied until the area of the body becomes numb to the pain sensation. As a result, repeatedly applying capsaicin cream to an area of injury is necessary to derive benefits from its use, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Nutritional Support

Cayenne is a rich source of nutrients and should be considered a nutritious addition to any meal. It contains carotenoids and vitamins C and E, amino acids, lutein, quercetin, calcium, essential fatty acids, the family of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements."

Alleviates Chemotherapy Side Effect

Oral mucositis, the painful ulceration and inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, is a side effect of chemotherapy that affects between 40 and 70 percent of patients receiving the cancer treatment. A 1995 study, led by Dr. Ann Berger from the Yale University School of Medicine, and published in the "Journal of Pain and Symptom Management," determined that oral doses of cayenne provide temporary relief from oral mucositis pain.