Cayenne Pepper For Vascular Disease

Your circulatory system includes one set of vessels that carry blood away from your heart and another set of vessels that carry blood back to your heart. Known as arteries and veins, these small flexible tubes do their jobs silently, unless a problem arises. Cayenne pepper has a long history of use in traditional medicine and folklore for treating circulatory issues, but clinical evidence of its effectiveness is lacking. Because vascular disorders can be serious, see your doctor before using cayenne pepper to treat any medical condition.

Vascular Disease

Vascular disease either affects the arterial system, which includes the arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood to your organs, muscles and tissues, or the venous system, which includes the veins that transport blood and waste products back to the lungs and heart. Vascular diseases affect the flow of the blood, often by the narrowing of the vessels due to plaque deposits.

The risk of developing vascular disease increases with age, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. There may be other contributing factors as well. Cayenne's role in improving circulation may lie in its potential to increase blood flow in the circulatory system, although, as of 2011, there is no clinical evidence to support that theory.

Cayenne Pepper

Capsaicin, cayenne's active ingredient, is the same component that makes the peppers hot to the taste. Dried cayenne pepper is available in your grocer's seasoning aisle, or in bulk powder, capsules and tinctures, from a health food store. In addition to capsaicin, the herb contains flavonoids, volatile oils and steroid saponins.

Potential Benefits

This spicy herb may stimulate the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to "Healthwise," a publication put out by New York University. Cayenne may also be beneficial in reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as preventing blood clotting and atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries. No standard suggested dose is available, so follow the dosage instructions on the package or consult your doctor for specific dosing advice.

Considerations

Using cayenne in food preparation is generally recognized as safe in the United States, but the herb can produce some side effects, especially in high dosages. These include diarrhea, respiratory distress, hypersensitivity, blood thinning and ulcers.