The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by sandrasteam (florida) on 02/07/2021
Question - will the cayenne pepper thin a persons blood? My husband takes a baby aspirin a day.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Pat (Florida) on 09/20/2020
Winnie, You want mucous to come out - that's a very good thing. Sounds like the cayenne is working to me.
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 03/28/2014 2041 posts
Jeanne: I see no problems w/ the BSM & Cayanne. Two herbs which to avoid during this drug treatment is Gingko biloba and White Willow as they are considerd "blood thinners".
Cayanne & Ginger work together very well to assist in improving circulation which reduces the risk of blood clotting stroke.
Omega 3 fats like Fish & Flax oil are recommended for keeping the blood thin but are considered "mild" anticoagulants and very much indicated in cardiovascular conditions.
Concussions
Posted by Cayenne619 (San Diego, Ca, San Diego) on 05/25/2012
★★★★★
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.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Mtusa007 (Missoula, Mt Usa) on 11/14/2011
★★★★★
I read where everyone is mixing with drinks etc, trying to kill the heat and taste or taking pills. I just cover my food with cayenne and love it. You get used to the heat very quickly and I use it at every meal, at least a teaspoon if not tablespoon, it's great in latte, red beer etc. If anything I over use it but I feel great, I always have a shaker of this pepper handy in my car, my suitcase, at work and camping.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Cristy (Dallas, Tx) on 07/07/2010
★★★★★
I have had much success with taking two teaspoons of cayenne pepper in a small cup of juice or beer (beer works really well--just about 3 ounces of it! ) but I have had unbearably bad side effects with cayenne *capsules*.
About 15-20 minutes after taking the capsules I get terrible, sharp stomach pains, cramps, and gas that last for a good 30 minutes and have me doubled over in pain. It feels like I swallowed a bomb!
I have read that cayenne should always be taken straight because digestion begins in the mouth, and the sharp spicy taste prepares the stomach to receive the pepper. For those fearful of the spicy taste, I vouch that I have a low "spicy-tolerance" and that when shooting the cayenne in a couple of ounces of liquid, the spiciness only lasts for 20-30 seconds and disappears completely. Not at all that lingering, intolerable burning we all know from eating Mexican food! Plus, drinking it straight gives you a pleasant head-rush and wave of energy. Cheers!
Nose Bleeds
Posted by Matt (Millbrook, Ny) on 10/30/2009
★★★★★
Every winter for several years now, I would get awful nosebleeds, and they were very difficult to stop. Sometimes they would stop only to start again within a few minutes. After reading about cayenne on this site, I began to take it in a capsule, maybe three times a day. After the very first capsule, the nosebleeds never returned. These days I use 1/2 tsp of cayenne in warm water to make a tea. It's easier on my stomach and I feel its effects faster.
Arrhythmia
Posted by sana (Germany) on 09/05/2025
★★★★★
I have cerberal Applexia if I do not drink cayenn drink in a stressed situation I go to coma, it saves my life every day.
Sore Throat
Posted by Dan Rodriguez (Clarksville, TN) on 04/16/2009
★★★★★
Cayenne Pepper is the man!!!!!!!!! I love it. I drink it as a tea on a daily basis. When I have sore throat, I mixed it with H2O2 and salt and gargle with it. It kills anything that is not supposed to be there. I've got so used to it that I can actually placed it on my tongue and swallow it like candy powder. ( Don't try this with large amounts at first, you'll get a good burn) It is awesome.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dustin (Niigata, Japan) on 06/24/2010
★★★★★
Thank you for posting the recipee..I felt very invigorated after drinking it. I plan to do it once a month.I added some freshly squeezed lemons(2) also..very powerful..
Thanks again.
High Blood Pressure
Posted by Lisa (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ)
★★★★★
I luv to share this. I was told as a 40-something African Amer woman, that I was borderline hypertensive and put on meds. Not good. I was falling asleep. Also no good to cut the dose -- comatose.
A friend told me about a folk remedy - cayenne pepper. She said it needed to be organic cayenne- it's stronger, I guess. I am now over 50 and my pressure is usually in the range of 110/70.
I do take a 12mg. water pill to keep me from retaining water also. I started with @1/4 tsp (of cayenne) in any liquid you want 2x a day. If needed, you can up this to 1/2 tsp but do this slowly so your body can adjust to the increase.
Now I do watch my salt intake but I only use the cayenne when I have had a particularly salty dish.
Sinus Congestion
Posted by Ray (VA)
★★★★★
Any time I am stuffed up, I add a little cayenne powder to my food and instantly my sinuses clear up! I also add cayenne to apple cider vinegar and water... that too is another good remedy for sinus congestion.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Rena (Georgia) on 11/20/2022
★★★★★
Thank you Frank, this helps with my boyfriend's ED. He is on several medications that contribute to Erectile Dysfunction. He has been taking one capsule in the morning, and one capsule at night. Ever since, you would never know he had a problem in that area. Cayenne pepper is the fountain of youth for men.
Best Type of Cayenne
Posted by Chris (Greenville) on 11/03/2016
Dave,
Are you extracting the cayenne in alcohol or glycerine or what? Could you explain what you mean by extracting with measurements? Thanks!
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 02/21/2014
Try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with a squirt of lemon twice a day...It will alkalize you and lower your BP..You may even do it three times a day if you feel you need it...
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Amy (Southbury, Ct) on 08/10/2013
★★★★★
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.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 04/11/2013
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.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 02/06/2012
Cameron: pls take MUCH less! I take only a few grains and it's still helpful.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Wanda (Spring, TX) on 10/04/2021 54 posts
I believe the man who started the Nature's Sunshine herbal company way back in early 70's is the one who gave his wife capsulated cayenne pepper because she was dying of some heart disease that the doctors told her she had no time left. You might Google that story.
Fresh Cayenne Tips
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Usa) on 02/16/2011
★★★★★
This pepper is easily grown from seed where the weather is warm. I grow my own.
When it is a bright red color, I pick it from the plant, then, wearing gloves, I cut it open to scrape out the seeds. Then slice the pepper in thin slices and dry on paper towels. In less than a week, they are completely dry and can be stored in a jar. Then whenever I want to add it to whatever hot drink I am making, I just add a half teaspoon or so and let it steep a few minutes. You may like to use more or less. I like this better because I get the essence of the pepper without choking on the dried grounds.
Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Posted by Evangeline (San Jose, Ca) on 12/16/2010
★★★★★
Hemorrhoids:
I bought a book about the coconut cures, it tells in the book that coconut oil and cayenne powder mix equal parts to make a poultice. and apply to the affected area followed a coat of coconut oil several times throughout the day to speed healing it stop itching and it truly works. then take 100 mg of grape seed extract and a capsule of cayenne pepper with each meal till the hemorrhoids regress.
I didnt know about cayenne pepper capsule thought it comes only in powder so i went online and found out about the healing cures of cayenne, my hemorrhoids was so severe that I was almost make an appt with my doctor but scared of surgery, i am healed, no ibs or itchy butt syndrome, it works and i believed cayenne, i am taking a capsule of cayenne after breakfast meal everyday i feel good.
Sinus Infections
Posted by Vania (Clarksville, Tn) on 08/29/2010
★★★★★
I live in Middle Tennessee, so I suffer from chronic sinusitis and sinus infections, which trigger asthma attacks and Acute Asthmatic Bronchitis. This spring (2010), I was desperate for relief (I never want to get Acute Asthmatic Bronchitis again! ), so I tried a nasal spray which contains Capsaicin pepper. It is found in the Nasal Spray section in drugstores. The label warns that you will feel a "strong sensation" on initial use. This is true. I have put off using it at times, for fear of the strong burning sensation in my sinus cavities. So then I will get a mild infection. But when I use it, it is amazing. Sweet relief! The price is off-putting, at nearly $15.00, but it lasts me several months. And I have not had a severe sinus infection since I started using it.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Kim (Houston, Tx) on 05/16/2012
Cristy, you crack me up with your 3 oz of beer! From one Texas chick to another - YOU GO GIRL!!!
Wounds
Posted by Bee (Mo, Usa) on 09/28/2009
★★★★★
Last nite I cut my foot on a nail sticking out of my carpet and came straight to this website. The cayenne had lots of Yeas so it caught my attention. I cleaned the wound which was bleeding profusely with some ACV, but it still bled. So I figured why not? Stuck some cayenne and it worked like styptic powder to stop the bleeding. It was impressive to watch and I was surprised that it did not hurt/burn like I expected. It stings a bit, but very tolerable. My only mistake was removing it too early. I would say make sure you keep it on even after the bleeding stops and bandage it.
Inner Ear Infection
Posted by Karen (Los Angeles, CA, USA) on 05/10/2009
To: Better But Not Cured (and I'll add...yet!)
I'm not sure if this will help but I notice that when I use a Netti Pot with Sea Salt (must be sea salt, not regular salt) for my sinuses it opens up my ears as well. Also, at this site for cancer: http://www.curenaturalicancro.com/ one person wrote: "I've got a lump about the size of a quarter in the back of my neck. It's been there 2 years. It seems to be located at the bottom of my ear canal. I've been putting sodium bicarbonate mixed with water down my ear canal for a few days and the lump is shrinking. The doctors I went to wanted to cut it out and biopsy it. I said no thank you, I don't want it to spread. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your work. S. M." I've learned that are bodies need to be the proper pH. Perhaps this will help you. Good luck. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful benefits of cayenne that I'm just learning about. :)
Coughs
Posted by Denise (Atlanta, GA) on 09/20/2008
★★★★★
I was up night with a horrible cough. So my throat was on fire this morning. I mixed a little cayenne with ACV and warm water. And what can I say it works its a beautiful day out side and I am on my way to enjoy it.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Pat (Coos Bay, OR) on 07/22/2007
★★★★★
thanks to this site i started cayenne pepper as a treatment for my hypothyroid issue. its been a few weeks and my metabolism has improved, my acid reflux and more energy. so glad i found you. thanks
Infections
Posted by Gary (Altamont, TN, USA) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★
Cayenne: I just found your site and am responding to a message from 2006 about cayenne for the sinus. I have chronic sinus problems, it got so bad once that I was desperate. I usually put 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water and snuff it up my nose. Well, I added a pinch of cayenne to the saline. I snuffed it up my nose, and it burned for about two seconds, then the burning quickly subsided. Yes, it stopped what I suppose was a sinus infection. Any way I felt better for a long time. Gary