The Use of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne peppers feature either red or green skin and flesh with a spicy flavor -- this pepper ranges in hotness from 30,000 to 50,000 units on the Scoville scale, the measure of heat in a hot pepper. You may see this long, thin chili pepper for sale as the bird pepper or Cowhorn pepper, but you're more likely to find it at a farmers market or specialty shop than in a grocery store. No matter where you find it, though, cayenne peppers have a range of uses.

Culinary

Cayenne peppers, both fresh and dried, find common use as a flavoring in cooking. The spiciness of cayenne lends heat and pungency to a variety of dishes, including sweet baked goods. A 1-tbsp. serving of fresh, raw cayenne contains 16 calories, the majority of which derive from carbohydrates -- each serving has 3 g. You consume trace amounts of fat and protein as well. Even this small amount of peppers serves as a good source of vitamin A, with 44 percent of the daily recommended intake, making cayenne peppers great for your eyes. The vitamin A in these peppers helps prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. You also get smaller amounts of vitamin C and vitamin B-6 as well as iron, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus and magnesium.

Weight Loss

The heat in cayenne peppers comes from a compound called capsaicin, which may influence your metabolism and encourage weight loss. Research published in the July 2006 edition of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" correlates hot chili pepper consumption with increased energy metabolism. In theory, this rise in metabolism burns more calories. Based on this principle, powdered cayenne features in several fad diets that aim to help you shed pounds.

Cancer

Cayenne peppers may help stop cancer from growing. Evidence in the March 2006 issue of the journal "Cancer Research" points to the capsaicin in cayenne and other hot peppers as a potential treatment to slow prostate cancer development. It may also stop it from developing in the first place, as capsaicin discourages prostate cancer cells from growing. Do not consume cayenne peppers in lieu of traditional cancer treatments, and be sure to consult your physician before using any food cures.

Migraines

Next time you develop the blinding pain of a migraine headache, consider reaching for cayenne peppers. Topically applied, research in the March 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Clinical Practice" indicates that the capsaicin in cayenne can ease pain associated with "scalp arterial tenderness" that often accompanies a migraine headache. Avoid getting any cream or gel containing capsaicin near your eyes as this may cause an uncomfortable or painful burning.

Pest Repellent

When your garden is overrun with aphids or armadillos, cayenne pepper can halt the destruction these pests can cause. Mixing dried cayenne powder with water makes a good aphid repellent when sprayed on the leaves of plants on which these insects feed. Sprinkling dried cayenne pepper powder on the dirt of your garden also stops armadillos from rooting in your garden. Both these options serve as an organic pest control option that will not harm soil or plants.