12 Surprising Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

I found that drinking cayenne pepper using a straw makes it go down faster with less burn and it keeps the lips from burning afterwards. I also bite down on a lemon wedge right after. I suck the juices and eat the pulp of the lemon. This helps a ton if you have heat issues.

Today I cut the tip of my index finger and a bit of my nail off while cutting a watermelon. The wound isn't that deep maybe about 1/4 inch at the very most. Anyways, after 30 minutes the bleeding was still flowing. So, I decided to hop on to Earthclinic to do some research!

I decided to try using Cayenne Pepper on my wound after hearing so many good reviews. So, I dumped a good amount on CP on my wound and waited 10-15 seconds. The bleeding stopped and sort of cauterized right before my eyes. It was pretty cool!!

I allowed the CP to "soak" into the wound for about 5 minutes and then I added a bit of organic raw honey on top. I then wrapped the finger with some gauze and tape.

Before using the CP I cleaned my wound with rubbing alcohol which stung and hurt way more then the CP. When I put the CP on the wound it did create a burning sensation but that slowly faded into a nice warm feeling.

I have read to leave the bandage on for 1-2 days. Depending on how my finger looks I might use the CP again. I did read that the cayenne pepper will help dry the wound out which allows for faster healing.

I love this website and I will definitely update again in the next few days or weeks.

I've just started using the cayenne powder/spice today. After trying 1 teaspoon in warm water, I'm gonna take a lesson from the Aztecs and start drinking mine in Hot Cocoa. This way I'll be able to look forward to it everyday cuz I LOOOOOOOVE CHOCOLATE!!! I found my cayenne at the Amish store, so it should be fine. The Amish are very smart about what they put in their bodies. Evidently, the Aztecs were pretty smart people also. Hope this helps someone. Big thanks to everyone on this site that's continually helpin' me : )

Cayenne I always use the stuff from the spice isle at the supermarket. Otherwise you could grow some in pots.

Pick up some empty gelatin capsules (very easy to find both online or at your local Vitamin Shoppe), fill them with the cayenne powder, then take the capsule(s) with water after a meal.

There are companies that sell cayenne capsules but I have always preferred making my own so that I know what's in them.

Mario: 1. Maybe you don't need it anymore. 2. Maybe you need smaller doses now. 3. If none of the above, you can put it in capsules.

I have been using cayenne pepper for a few months but I have to stop because it causes throat irritation. I like to continue using it, BUT I do not know how to minimize the condition. Any suggestion, will be appreciated.

Hi Mark... Your father fainted probably because of the low blood pressure caused by the cayenne.

Just a quick update with regards my father in law who had the stroke after starting on cayenne pepper (originally the ambulance staff suggested a stroke)

A week or so after my first warning post my father in law had another stroke/funny turn!, but according to the attending Dr he only fainted (on both occasions) and did not have a stroke, it makes me think the pepper lowered his already normal blood pressure even more or at the very least caused some form of extreme light headedness, this happened upon waking in the morning on both occasions. Anyhow he is recovering pretty well all things considered, he still takes a little pepper daily and he can now walk again, albeit a little wobbly.

Hi Jo, store bought cayenne pepper is more superior than capsules. Or you can try to get it from an Indian grocery store. It will be labelled as CHILLI POWDER and comes in 100gm, 200gms packet. Will not be more than 1 pound.

Hello, does anybody know of a good supplier of Cayenne Pepper in the UK?

I am currently using supermarket bought cayenne pepper which I don't suppose is the greatest quality. I take a teaspoonful in a cup of hot water mixed with the juice of half a lemon every morning. I'm hoping this might help clear any blockages around the heart. I don't know if I actually have any blockages but I guess that prevention is better than cure.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm looking for liquid cayenne 250,000 heat units.

Hi Walter, The same thing happened to me today I took 1/4 teaspoon with a glass of water and felt like I was about to vomit so I quickly ran and got a glass of water and the feeling soon went away. Perhaps the cayenne pepper is too strong for our bodies, everyone is diferent and I am a new to eating hot spicey food so if you're the same then I guess that's why it's happening. I'm going to post and ask a few questions and hopefully someone will give us an answer soon enough and good luck.

Deeper research yet would show that Cayenne is a blood thinner UNTIL oxygen comes into the equation. Once that happens coagulation is the opposing result. I could get very scientific in my explanation but for those of you confused as to how it can accomplish both, study harder yet...

The same thing happened to my mother in law. I gave her tea with 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper and ACV and 15 minutes later she had a stroke! She is OK now but I felt and still do feel very badly.

Cristy I got the same exact reaction also after swallowing the cayenne capsules. 15min after taking, I started sweating buckets (yay! That part's ok) and debilitating stomach pain (not ok -- at all). But the episode passed after about 10 min. I came on here looking for answers and it makes sense that digestion begins in the mouth and our stomachs need a warning signal for spicy substances. No more hiding the cayenne in capsules, I shall open them up and dissolve in water. This makes much more sense, and seems to be the solution, thanks a bunch.

Warning

CAYENNE PEPPER WARNING- My 80 year old father in law recently had neck surgery to replace 2 discs that had trapped his nerves, he was becoming paralysed, he lost his bladder control and had to have a bag and catheter fitted, on removal the doc notice that his prostrate was hard and enlarged, We recommended that he start on cayenne pepper slowly and build up over a few weeks, the hope is that pepper should improve his blood circulation which will help his nerves heal quicker as well as de-clog his prostrate that was probably blocked from the catheter and poor flow, well he loves curry and all things hot so took quite a lot from the start, after 10 days or so my wife received a phone call from her mother saying her father had had a stroke! He was ok but it had set his recovery back (from nerve damage) a few weeks, when I quizzed him about the pepper he confessed to liking it and taking a lot more than suggested, (more than ½ tsp. 2 x daily) he just can't taste it like most do! It was a pretty hot one too, not a cheap store bought.

Any how, he has had 2 heart attacks and a quadruple bypass many , many years ago ( even though he is has never smoked and was a keen athlete! ) I suspect he is a little clogged up and the pepper acted to unblock him just a little too quickly removing all sorts of nasty stuff from his arteries and possible causing the stroke? he has resumed the pepper but at a pinch daily with the aim of increasing slowly over the weeks, fingers crossed this time, ironically cayenne is touted to stop strokes!

The lesson here is if you are just starting on cayenne pepper don't take the whole jar in one go! Build up slowly- its powerful stuff!

Cayenne does indeed heal ulcers.

Mine were caused after injuring my back and taking ibuprofen, the ulcers came on a few months after them. I tried cabbage, pine nut oil, oats etc. etc., these things helped a little but none of them were able to get me back to my previous perfect health.

At first I was a little unsure about taking cayenne as I thought it wold burn and make things far worse, but this turned out not to be the case,

The little jar of shop bought cayenne had been sat in the spice cupboard beckoning me for weeks, eventually, after months of ulcer discomfort I was forced to act, I only took about an 1/8 tsp. 2 -3 times daily.

I noticed improvements after day 1, about a week or 10 days later my pain and discomfort had all gone and has never returned.

I still take a pinch daily for its health benefits, it also cured my coccyx pain after my back injury.

I've been having the same experience for about 10 days now. I started taking cayenne to help me knick some "under the weather" feelings that were going around the office. Coworkers were feverish, phlegmy, etc and I wanted no part of it. Goodness me, my mood has gone through the roof! I seriously went to journal today because I don't remember any of the things I was so upset about, ha. It's like the pattern of inconsistent moods has been completely interrupted... My mind just doesn't go there. I don't suffer from depression but I haven't felt this consistently jovial and energetic outside of times when I was working out every single day. It's fantastic and I feel so alert and even-keeled.

Praise God 4 Cayenne Pepper... I accidently cut a 1/4"W x 1/2"L chunk out of my pinky... Without constriction it steadily Bled & wouldn't stop... Even 18 hours later.

I took 3 450mg 40,000HU CP capsules... Checked 1 hour later & It Stopped... Saved me $400 at urgent care!!

Now I just have to figure out how 2 get the bandage unstuck from the wound & find some "pixie Dust" to regrow my finger...

Absolutly true! Cayenne pepper does heal ulcers. As does Manuka honey and sea- buckthorn oil (the real one).

Great site EarthClinic, what about a must have box of basics that every house should have and a list of wholesome foods to compliment them, when required they would hopefully be at hand, ie. Cayenne pepper, acv, garlic, manuka etc. Nb. My own yea! Was cayenne pepper sorting a tummy ulcer in3 weeks, no antibiotics needed, wow! Thanks to your goodselves and reader input. Gareth, northants uk

I been using the cayenne brand from Smart & Final. Which is a deep dark red cayenne 2 to 3 times a day for 4 years.

My goals is not only for health benefits but to block the sciatic pain used to have from (shoulder & hip) old dislocations.

The reason writing this is April 17, 2012 was involved in an electric skateboard accident. I am 48 years old and was not wearing a helmet. I hit my head at 24 mph. I hit my head 2 more times while trying to stabilize myself before EMT arrived. Yes, I know not very bright without a helmet.

The hospital did a CT Scan there was no blood on the brain. I received 5 stitches in eyebrow, sprain my wrist and took a layer skin off my shoulder underneath my shirt.

My shoulder healed in 2 weeks complete with a new tan, my wrist healed in 5 weeks, you can't even see the stitches in my eyebrow. I didn't even get a black eye at all. I had a little dizziness for about my last 3 weeks with nausea and feeling of wanting to vomit.

I upped my dosage of cayenne along with 2 plain aspirin twice a day. Today, 5 weeks later had a severe headache located on the lower back part of my head that lasted 2 to 3 minutes. Afterwards my dizziness had completely vanished.

I feel 99% healed from my post concussion accident in 5 weeks. I believe it was cayenne powder for my speedy recovery for my traumatic state.

Cristy, you crack me up with your 3 oz of beer! From one Texas chick to another - YOU GO GIRL!!!

Adding another tsp of turmeric makes for additional wellness..

I have grown accustomed to taking cayenne so decided to try the lemon, cayenne drink 'before' eating anything this morning and

WOW not only did it ENERGIZE me, when I went to eat breakfast I only ate a third about what I would usually eat AND an hour later still NOT hungry and still energized.

ALSO *ha ha* I found out yesterday when I took my lemon cayenne drink in warm water religiously through the day and got on my stay ball (actually on this site for a long period... Can't help it I'm aging backwards and 'hooked') that my shoulder which usually aches horribly (had torn the muscles in both left and right some years ago and never felt right since)

HAD NOT GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS, I had only sat in a normal chair to eat dinner... Curbs appetite, pain reliever, energizer (also a never ending list haha, glad I'm half Mexican and love HOT spices)... No downfalls I'm aware of, better and cheaper then any 'Energy drink' out there (but don't keep me up at night : )

Enjoy!

Mix the cayenne pepper with tomato juice or vegetable juice. It goes down much easier than mixing it with water.

Thanks folks, I have backed off to 1/4 teaspoon of Cayenne in Hot Water with Manuka Honey to sweeten it. My BP is now 122/75 in the morning, my pulse about 60. I do not have the large spike in BP after taking the Cayenne and I am losing weight, have more energy and I really think my eyes are better(my computer screen seems sharper). I think you really need to start off small and build up, I would guess my 1/4 tsp is about right.

Cameron: pls take MUCH less! I take only a few grains and it's still helpful.

Hi Cameron, I got a fright the first time I took my bp (20mins) after taking cayenne as it was already raised and I had expected it to start to go down but found it was higher than before taking it. In about 2 hrs it was ok. I have tested it on 2 other occasions when my bp was normal before taking the cayenne and it rose a bit both times but within approx hour it was back to normal. I never had the dizzy feeling that you've had.

Make sure you have a good quality cayenne as some time back there were reports of colouring being added to some cayenne batches. If you have some tabasco sauce add a few drops to water and see how you go with that.

I have started taking Cayenne Pepper, I do not know the strength and have a question for some one who knows a bit about it.

I am taking 1/2 a tsp in hot water, straight after taking it my Blood Pressure is going to 150 90 and my pulse over 90. It varies but I am very concerned, I feel dizzy as I write this and and will take my blood pressure again then go and lie down.

Can anyone tell me if this is typical, does it stop some time after getting used to taking it?

My normal BP is 127/75 and pulse between 64 and 72.