Cayenne pepper can add a spicy kick to your meals. Similar to many foods, it might offer medicinal benefits as well. Many over-the-counter pain relief creams contain capsaicin, one of the primary active components. Nasal preparations might offer relief from cluster headaches and migraines. Cayenne supplements have been touted for numerous conditions ranging from weight loss to circulatory problems, but not enough evidence exists to determine whether they actually work for any condition. Much like other drugs and supplements, it might not be appropriate to use cayenne if you have certain health conditions or take certain medications. Talk to your doctor about the appropriateness of using this supplement and a proper dose.
Dosing Guidelines
A lack of studies on internal uses of cayenne makes it difficult to establish recommended doses, according to Drugs.com. Consider working with a doctor well-versed in natural therapies for guidance on how much cayenne to take for your particular health concern.
To treat indigestion, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reports a suggested dose of .5 g to 1 g three times daily just before eating.
The University of Michigan Health System reports on research gathered from studies taking place between 1998 and 2001 and published in various journals, which suggest taking 6 g to 10 g of cayenne pepper before each meal can aid in weight loss by increasing the number of calories burned.
Potential Dangers of Excess Consumption
Taking large amounts of cayenne pepper has been associated with some adverse effects, which underscores the importance of professional guidance in determining the proper dose and how long you can safely use it. Excess cayenne can lead to stomach pain and in more serious instances, liver and kidney damage. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes two case reports of men experiencing significant rises in blood pressure after consuming large amounts of chili peppers.
The University of Michigan Health System notes conflicting evidence from older research on whether frequent consumption of cayenne increases the risk of stomach cancer. An Italian study, published in 1989 in the ''International Journal of Cancer,'' found a decreased risk while a 1994 Mexican study, published in the ''Journal of Epidemiology,'' found men who ate cayenne peppers daily were more likely to get stomach cancer, compared to men who did not eat any.
Contraindicated Uses
If you are pregnant, do not use cayenne pepper supplements. Breastfeeding babies have suffered dermatitis after drinking milk from mothers consuming cayenne, according to Sloan-Kettering
Cayenne pepper might further irritate your stomach if you have an ulcer. While used traditionally to treat heartburn and other digestive issues, it may worsen these symptoms in some people. If you suffer frequent heartburn, use cayenne with caution.
Allergy Concerns
If you have an allergy to latex, kiwi, avocado, chestnuts or bananas, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes you could be allergic to cayenne.
Medication Interactions
Cayenne pepper supplements might negatively interact with the asthma drug theophylline, blood pressure medications, sedatives, MAO-inhibitors, anticoagulants and acid-reducing drugs, according to Sloan-Kettering.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cayenne; November 2008
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Cayenne; August 2011
- Drugs.com: Complete Capsicum Information
- ''American Journal of Epidemiology''; Chili Pepper Consumption and Gastric Cancer in Mexico; L.Carillo-Lopez, et al.; 1994
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Cayenne; July 2011
