Tag Archives: hot pepper

Capsaicin

The compound that makes red peppers so very hot is also an amazingly effective pain reliever. Capsaicin was first identified in the 1800s — a Hungarian doctor in 1878 noticed that the compound could irritate the mucus membranes and promote the secretion of digestive juices. But this compound has the power to do more than just make your mouth and lips burn when you eat spicy foods. Studies have shown again and again that capsaicin cream can block pain neurotransmitters in nerve fibers. Capsaicin can be useful in relieving pain from shingles, arthritis, back pain, and more! The American Association … Continue reading →

Cayenne Pepper

Hot red peppers aren’t just for spicy foods! Cayenne pepper has a host of medicinal uses, too. Cayenne pepper is native to subtropical and tropical zones around the world — in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. The spice has probably been used for thousands of years! Explorer Christopher Columbus is the first Westerner credited with taking note of food flavored with hot red pepper. There isn’t much in the way of literary evidence of cayenne pepper; there is no word for cayenne in ancient tongues like Chinese, Latin, Sanskrit, and Hebrew. Perhaps the first appearance of hot red pepper … Continue reading →