Cayenne is not just for cooking.


Cayenne is useful for a good many things.  It is an analgesic, antiseptic, anodyne, astringent, antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator, rubefacient, and has many other therapeutic uses.  I use it to help treat pain, topically.  I put it in my Kick A$$ Tea as a stimulant, along with ginger, and a few other herbs to help fight off a cold as it is coming on. 

Cayenne can be applied topically for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy and shingles due to the content of capsaicin.  Capsaicin in topical preparations has been approved by the FDA for these uses.  It has been shown to reduce pain for those who suffer from fibromyalgia.  I make a Cayenne Aches & Pains Salve.

When cayenne is first applied to the skin, it can cause itching, burning or a tingling sensation.  It is a rubefacient, which means it causes the area to redden due to an increase of blood circulation and dilation of capillaries at the skin’s surface.  This can help to flush out uric acid and calcium deposits around joints and tissues where you apply the cayenne. 1

The pain relief is thought to be the result of selective stimulation of afferent C fibers that act as thermoreceptors and nociceptors, and the result of the release of substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter that mediates pain. 1

If cayenne is taken orally, it can stimulate the release of endorphins in the brain that act as the body’s natural sedatives.  If it is taken in excessive doses it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, and should be avoided near the eyes and mucus membranes if used topically.  Be cautious if you have sensitive skin.

Cayenne can be helpful for digestion as well, and has been used to stimulate gastric juices, helping with assimilation and elimination. 1  As it helps with circulation and as a general tonic as well, it has been touted as an herb useful for weight loss and good for the metabolism. 

Remember to always check with your primary care physician prior to trying herbal alternatives or remedies.

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1.       Petersen, D. (2016). Herb 303: Herbal Materia Medica II. Portland, Oregon: American College
of Healthcare Sciences.

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