Cayenne pepper isn't just hot because of its fiery taste. Also known as red pepper, Capsicum, hot pepper, tabasco pepper and Louisiana long pepper, cayenne not only tastes good, but is good for you, too. Native Americans have used cayenne pepper as a medicine for more than 9,000 years, and scientists are discovering more health-related uses for this spice all the time.
Pain Relief
Capsaicin, the natural chemical in cayenne pepper that makes it hot, can treat several types of pain. Capsaicin is a powerful irritant that doesn't really damage tissue, although the burning sensation makes it feels as if it does. The nerves in the treated area act as if damage has actually occurred, and release a chemical called substance P that helps the body detect injury. When you apply capsaicin repeatedly, substance P becomes depleted, and painful sensations subside. Capsaicin is proven moderately effective in treating pain that can linger after a bout of shingles, peripheral nerve pain that occurs with diabetes and HIV, back pain, osteoarthritis and pain following hernia repair and cancer surgery. Capsaicin is often used in conjunction with other pain treatments.
Weight Loss
Cayenne pepper may help you lose weight. Both human and animal studies have shown that, after ingestion, capsaicin increases the body's heat production for a short time and also the number of calories burned. Capsaicin has the same effect on speeding up the metabolism as the herb ephedra, but without the dangerous side effects. The effect, however, is modest -- a teaspoon of cayenne added to a meal burns 15 extra calories, according to Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D. Cayenne pepper may also cause weight loss by regulating blood sugar and affecting carbohydrate metabolism.
Dyspepsia
Although you may think cayenne pepper irritates the stomach, it may actually reduce pain from minor indigestion. Some studies suggest cayenne pepper may protect the stomach lining from ulcers and damage from anti-inflammatory medications, but more evidence is needed. Cayenne pepper does not kill the bacteria that is a major cause of stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori.
Psoriasis
In a trial involving 200 people with psoriasis, capsaicin cream was effective at relieving itching and decreasing the severity of the disorder. Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by red, raised skin and scaly white patches.
Cancer
In the test tube, capsaicin shows some effectiveness against multidrug-resistant lymphoma, oral cancer and leukemia. Experiments also support its ability to kill prostate cancer cells. The scientific process to develop cancer treatments from cayenne pepper continues.
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