Cayenne pepper is sometimes called capsicum, African pepper, chillies, bird pepper, or by its scientific name, Capsicum annum. Cayenne pepper is a perennial vegetable of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family. Although cayenne was originally grown in South and Central America in pre-Columbian times, it was also cultivated in Mexico 7,000 years ago and in Peru 4,000 years ago. Additionally, Native Americans used cayenne as food and medicine for stomach aches, cramping pains, gas, and circulatory system disorders for 9,000 years (1).

Cayenne pepper plants are bushy with smooth, green, oval-shaped (elliptical) leaves and small white star-shaped flowers (2). The plant grows between 1 and 4 feet tall, 1 and 2 feet wide, and blooms in the summertime at temperatures above 65ºF (3). The pepper itself is green when young and red when ripe. It’s about 2 to 5 inches long, thin, and glossy with a wrinkled texture (4).

Cayenne is grown from seeds in early spring. When ripe, the fruit is harvested in the summer and is traditionally dried in the shade. If you plan to forage for cayenne, always harvest ethically. Never collect anything from private property without direct permission. When harvesting from public spaces, consider the impacts on native plant populations. Due to the uncertainty of surrounding plants, be careful not to disturb them as they could be an endangered or threatened species. Always be kind to the earth and only harvest what you need.

According to one of my favorite herbal resources, the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, cayenne’s key constituents are capsaicin, carotenoids, flavonoids, volatile oil, and, in the seeds, steroidal saponins. Some of its herbal actions include:

• Analgesic: reduces pain.
• Antiseptic: destroys or inhibits microorganisms that cause infections.
• Antispasmodic: relieves muscle spasms.
• Carminative: relieves digestive gas and indigestion.
• Circulatory stimulant: increases blood flow to a specific area (skin).
• Diaphoretic: induces sweating.
• Stimulant: increases alertness, energy, and nervous system activity.
• Tonic: restores, maintains, or nourishes the body.

Interested in learning more about herbal actions? Take the next step by joining my Facebook group, The Holistic Hipppie Community, to access my exclusive “Understanding Herbal Actions” guide today!

Research-Backed Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

The active constituent that happens to be most studied in cayenne pepper is called capsaicin (5). Capsaicin has many known medicinal properties and a long history in traditional and alternative medicine. Most importantly, capsaicin has robust anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that provide many benefits, including:

Rich in Nutrients

Our body needs nutrients to flourish. Without vital vitamins and minerals, our bodies won’t function properly. Like all plants, cayenne pepper is brimming with nutrients that are responsible for its many health benefits. Cayenne pepper is a rich source of fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K (6). One study noted cayenne pepper is a good source of many phytonutrients, including capsaicinoids, ascorbic acid, and phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, even after it has been roasted (7).

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants can help fight damage from harmful free radicals. The buildup of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease (8). Animal studies indicate capsaicin is an efficient antioxidant in rats (9). In another study, cayenne pepper varieties showed the greatest antioxidant activity among other peppers (10). A final study concluded cayenne pepper had pronounced antioxidant activity, even after roasting (7).

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Thanks to its antioxidant compounds, cayenne pepper can reduce inflammation, especially from free radical damage. Chronic inflammation has been linked with many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and certain cancers (11). Cayenne pepper is an essential anti-inflammatory agent, improving insulin sensitivity and counteracting dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream) and weight gain (12). One study discovered capsaicin’s anti-inflammatory effect at a 2.5 mg/kg dosage is comparable to the inflammation-inhibitory impact of 100 mg/kg of diclofenac, a prescription NSAID (13).

Another study demonstrated that capsaicin suppresses prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production (a principal mediator of inflammation) by inhibiting COX-2 enzyme activity and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNO) expression in LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages (14). Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) enzyme activity converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which are involved in the inflammatory process (15). Meanwhile, the LPS stimulation of macrophages triggers cytokine secretion, a fundamental response to injury and infection in the body (16).

Pain-Relieving Properties

As of 2016, an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults (50.0 million) had chronic pain, and 8% of adults (19.6 million) had high-impact chronic pain (17). Thankfully, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers, capsaicin, may have pain-relieving properties. A review noted that pain-reducing capsaicin cream may have long-term use benefits (18). Studies have found creams and ointments containing 0.0125% purified capsaicin may reduce pain and tenderness from osteoarthritis (19). Research also suggests oral capsaicin supplements may help relieve pain and discomfort in athletes (20). A review even notes the use of cayenne pepper’s active compound in several pharmaceutical formulations for treating various human ailments (21).

May Support the Immune System

If you read my post, The Importance of Immune Health, you know the immune system protects the body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other toxins (22). When you support your immune system, you can improve your body’s ability to fight sickness. Cayenne pepper has been used in herbal remedies to fight colds, coughs, and congestion, and several studies confirm its success.

A review noted that capsaicin might relieve symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and congestion, especially when allergies or smoking are not the cause (23). A study found that capsaicin nasal spray provided sustainable relief from cold symptoms within ten minutes of using it (24). Another study found cayenne pepper combatted group A Streptococci (the type of bacteria responsible for strep throat and other diseases), suggesting it may have antibacterial and antiviral properties (25).

May Promote Heart Health

Unfortunately, heart disease is the world’s number 1 cause of death (26). If you read my post, The Importance of Heart Health, you know that due to the incredibly complex determinants of heart disease and various possible contributions, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact way to prevent it. Still, you can at least take steps to lower your overall risk.

Studies suggest that the capsaicin compounds in hot peppers may help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, which could help protect against certain health conditions, including heart disease (27). Animal studies suggest that capsaicin may have many heart health potentials, including endothelial function (the vascular wall and the flow of blood within it), hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and, most notably in diabetics, atherosclerosis (28). One study found that 22,811 Italian adults who regularly consumed chili peppers had a lower risk of death from heart disease (29). A review of four observational studies found that chili pepper consumption was associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes (30,31).

May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

As of 2020, 34.2 million (1 in 10) Americans had diabetes, and another 88 million (1 in 3) Americans had prediabetes (32). On the bright side, studies have found cayenne pepper to have anti-diabetic properties. An animal study found cayenne pepper reduced blood glucose by increasing insulin levels and glycogen content in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (33). Another study noted red pepper seed extract supplementation improved the biomarkers of glycemic control, including fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin (34). A final study found that 8% capsaicin patches performed similarly to oral agents like pregabalin, duloxetine, and gabapentin in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (35).

May Promote Skin Health

Skin health is important. The skin covers the entire external surface of the human body, making it the largest organ (36). Not only does it cover the whole body, but it’s also a protection barrier that fights germs and prevents them from entering the body (37). As mentioned earlier, cayenne pepper is suggested to have antibacterial properties that help protect the body from Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus. Aside from strep throat, group A Streptococcus can cause skin and soft tissue infections, such as impetigo and cellulitis (38). An animal study revealed that capsaicin alleviated the loss of collagen in the skin of mice after UV irradiation while inhibiting UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and antioxidant-responsive element activity in dermal fibroblast (39). Additionally, a review concluded that capsaicin patches might reduce itching caused by various skin conditions, including psoriasis and issues resulting from dialysis (21).

May Aid in Weight Loss

Weight management is a challenge for most people in the U.S., with more than 70% of American adults being overweight (40). Excess body weight is a common contributor to type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes. Being overweight increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (41). Thankfully, cayenne pepper may help.

Researchers found that after giving healthy volunteers a placebo or one of two dosages of capsaicin for 12 weeks, those who took the higher dosage (4 milligrams) experienced a reduction of nearly 6% of body fat (42). Another study found that consuming 1 gram of cayenne pepper in meals slightly increased core body temperature, burning additional calories. Some participants also reported having less desire to eat fatty, sweet, or salty foods after consuming capsaicin (43). Additionally, a scientific publication concluded that capsaicin has many metabolic health benefits, especially for weight loss in obese individuals (44).

Safety Information, Contraindications & Interactions

Surprisingly, the mainstream isn’t anti-cayenne pepper, and they actually highlight some of its benefits, including pain relief, psoriasis treatment, metabolism boost, digestive health, reducing heart disease, and lowering cancer risk. They warn that eating too much can lead to unwanted side effects, such as upset stomach or heartburn. Aside from that, they note that capsaicin can interact with certain medications, like blood thinners, aspirin, stomach acid reducers, and ACE inhibitors (45).

According to trusted herbalist Richard Whelan, cayenne is a remarkably safe herb despite how painful it can be when applied topically. He notes that cayenne’s burning sensation is caused by nerve stimulation, not by any physical harm to the tissues (although corneal abrasions, wheezing, and skin blisters can occur in some). The ultimate proof of the truth of this statement is shown by what happens when pepper spray is used as a weapon against a person. Even though it must feel like their eyes are being utterly burned and blinded, there is generally no actual damage or lasting harm done. Of course, like anything, he notes that too much can be bad, and excess use of cayenne may cause an overstimulation of the digestive tract. He goes on to say that cayenne has been used to treat stomach ulcers (the herb causes a reflex coating over the gut due to the increased secretions, which can help the ulcer to heal). It is a very safe herb so long as it is used wisely (46).

Additionally, there have been claims that cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack in its tracks. Dr. Christopher claims to have never lost a patient to a heart attack and states:

“In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient, and the reason is, whenever I go in–if they are still breathing–I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water, and within minutes they are up and around). This is one of the fastest acting acids we could ever give for the heart because it feeds that heart immediately (47).”

An article claims this to be a hoax and medical misinformation, but they offer nothing but their word. Their article doesn’t provide any scientific evidence that states otherwise. The only scientific evidence I could find that says otherwise is a case where a 25-year-old experienced acute myocardial infarction and coronary vasospasm associated with ingesting cayenne pepper pills (48).

Two years after this man’s experience, the FDA advised consumers not to purchase or use La Jiao Shou Shen (the cayenne pepper pills he was using) because they contained sibutramine. Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons (49).

With that said, chances are, the issue was the sibutramine, not the cayenne pepper, and I would be 100% comfortable using a cayenne pepper tincture as I wait for medical help if I were having a heart attack.

How to Use Cayenne Pepper & Product Recommendations

When I make homemade herbal remedies, I try to buy herbs locally. When buying locally isn’t an option, I typically purchase from one of the following brands I trust:

• Anthony’s Goods
• Frontier Co-op
• Starwest Botanicals

Looking for additional herbal suppliers? Check out my post, 3 Ways to Source Herbs.

I have yet to have the opportunity to make herbal remedies with cayenne pepper, although I cook with it occasionally. Nonetheless, to my understanding, the best preparation methods when working with cayenne pepper include the following:

• Herbal capsules – learn how to make herbal capsules
• Herbal salve (only apply to unbroken skin) – learn how to make an herbal salve
• Herbal syrups – learn how to make an herbal syrup
• Herbal tincture – learn how to make an herbal tincture
• Topical Oil infusions (only apply to unbroken skin) – learn how to make a topical oil infusion

If making your home remedies isn’t quite your thing, I recommend a few premade herbal products, including:

• Herb Pharm’s Cayenne Extract is an easily absorbed liquid that engages your senses of taste and smell. This helps your body recognize and use herbs to support the cardiovascular system and circulatory functions.
• Herb Pharm’s Muscle Calmer is a liquid herbal extract expertly formulated to support muscle tension and contractions. Each certified organic and sustainably wildcrafted herb is individually extracted to ensure a broad spectrum of therapeutic plant compounds.
• Herb Pharm’s Warming Circulation is expertly formulated with cayenne pepper, ginkgo, eleuthero, and other rapidly absorbed liquid herb extracts to support healthy blood circulation.
• The Brother’s Apothecary Spiced Cacao is a uniquely rich, distinctly spiced cocoa inspired by traditional recipes. It is made with Peruvian cacao, coconut, CBD, cayenne pepper, bold spices, and a touch of sweetness.

Product Disclaimer

Product recommendations are affiliate links. I do not own or make these products. Recommendations are selected according to ingredients at the time article was written and can change at any time. I encourage you to double-check ingredients and research each company to ensure they’re suitable for your journey.

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