Cayenne Pepper 300 g, 200 g, 100 g, 50 g

Cayenne Pepper 300 g ($14.99), 200 g ($11.99), 100 g ($8.99), 50 g ($5.99)

Benefits
Cayenne is anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant. It relieves pain, has antimicrobial effects, and may even have an anticancer effect. It can ease aspirin-induced upset stomach and is a digestive aid. It seems to be a detoxifying agent and specifically protects the stomach. It also may help blood clot more effectively. In folk medicine, cayenne has been used for painful muscle spasms, frostbite, and as a gargle for hoarseness and sore throats. It also was used for preventing seasickness, heart disease, and stroke. In ayurvedic medicine, cayenne is used for gout, arthritis, sciatica, coughs, and hoarseness. It can lower a fever associated with malaria, yellow fever, and scarlet fever. It is also used for cholera and edema. When combined with ginger and rhubarb, it can treat anorexia nervosa. As a homeopathic remedy, cayenne is used for inflammation of the urinary tract, alimentary canal, and mouth, and for middle ear infections.

Nutrients
Cayenne peppers and other types of hot peppers are a concentrated source of many nutrients and can be a healthy addition to your diet. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for one 45-gram hot red chili pepper (4):

• Calories: 18
• Protein: 0.8 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Carbs: 3.9 grams
• Fiber: 0.7 grams
• Vitamin C: 72% of the DV
• Provitamin A: 48% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
• Vitamin K: 5% of the DV

As you can see, just one chili pepper provides an impressive amount of nutrients.

Chili peppers like cayenne peppers are especially rich in provitamin A carotenoids and vitamin C. Vitamin A exists in two forms: provitamin A and preformed vitamin A. Provitamin A carotenoids are found in plant foods, while preformed vitamin A is concentrated in animal foods (5). Provitamin A carotenoids found in cayenne include alpha carotene and beta carotene, which the body can convert into the active form of vitamin A (6, 7). Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that’s involved in many aspects of health. For example, it’s necessary for (7, 8):

• the functioning of the immune system
• vision
• reproduction
• growth and development
• bone health

Plus, hot peppers like cayenne peppers are packed with vitamin C.

Just one 45-gram chili pepper provides 72% of this nutrient. Like vitamin A, vitamin C is essential to immune health. It also plays critical roles in collagen production, iron absorption, and neurotransmitter synthesis (9). Additionally, hot peppers like cayenne peppers provide nutrients like B6, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium. Even though cayenne peppers are nutritious, most people can only handle a small portion because of their intense spicy flavor. However, consuming small amounts of cayenne regularly could contribute to the improved intake of certain nutrients.

Capsaicin, derived from peppers, is believed to be effective on various forms of rhinitis by reducing nasal hypersensitivity response to various allergens. In a study conducted on 42 patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, an intranasal solution of capsaicin and eucalyptol (added to reduce the burning sensation that some patients experience with capsaicin) was used two times a day for 15 days, and this was compared with placebo (no drug). There was a statistical improvement in nasal congestion, sinus pain and pressure, and headache.

Antioxidant: Cayenne pepper contains large amounts of vitamin A, which helps in maintaining good health, healthy skin, and proper brain function. Vitamin A fights swelling caused by free radicals and is vital for good health. Cayenne pepper also contains vitamin E, which is another super antioxidant that slows the aging process and keeps bodily organs healthy. Vitamin E plays a significant role in balancing hormones, repairing damaged skin, and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Inflammation   The next time you feel pained from an inflammatory injury or condition, don’t reach for any over-the-counter medicine. One study found that cayenne pepper was just as effective as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac at reducing inflammation. Plus, it doesn’t come with the adverse side effects that often accompany a synthetic drug. Authors of the study found that cayenne pepper could be used as an alternative analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent to reduce inflammatory pain. Try using some the next time an old sciatic injury flares up or when the pain from rheumatoid arthritis is too much to bear.

Cough. In one study, children with cystic fibrosis or asthma seemed to benefit from cayenne.

Allergy prevention: Allergies occur as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular pollutant. In most cases, people get allergies when the seasons change due to a high pollen content. Because cayenne contains potent anti-inflammatory properties, you can use it to calm down these reactions. It’s also a great food to eat when you need relief from food allergies as it detoxes the system and reduces inflammation while stimulating processes that get the food irritants out of your gut. Leaky gut syndrome occurs when food particles pass through the intestinal barrier and cause inflammation. Cayenne can help calm down this inflammation and return your digestive health to normal (you’ll also want to eliminate the food culprit from your diet, too).

High doses of beta carotene, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory capabilities in cayenne pepper can prevent allergies by breaking up and eliminating mucus caused by congestion. With its high vitamin C content, cayenne pepper also protects against the common cold.

Weight Loss: Cayenne pepper is a metabolism booster. This means that regular intake in small amounts can help burn more calories. It also eases inflammation from allergies and food sensitivities that cause bloating and digestive problems. A study showed that people who ate a breakfast containing capsaicin burned 51% more calories in the hours after breakfast than those who didn’t consume it. Another study showed that people taking capsaicin supplements ate 10% less during the day because they felt fuller for longer and thus ate fewer calories. It is also thought that capsaicin reduces the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Cayenne peppers and other capsaicin-containing spicy foods may help with weight loss. Spicy foods can rev up the metabolism a bit, helping burn calories. It can also help you feel fuller after eating. The effect isn’t enough to overcome an unhealthy diet, but as part of a nutritious eating plan, spicy foods may suppress appetite and help with weight loss. A spicy, flavorful diet tends to be more satisfying. And when you’re satisfied, you’re less likely to reach for not-so-healthy foods and snacks. People who use strong flavors and add a lot of spices like cayenne are often happier with their diets.

A clinical study conducted by scientists at Laval University in Quebec found that eating cayenne at breakfast decreased appetite and led to lower fat and calorie intake throughout the day. Cayenne helps boost your metabolism and induces the body to burn off more fat instead of storing it in the body. It may also help attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia when taking 30 grams per day of 55 percent cayenne.

Cancer: Some studies have reported that cayenne pepper may help the body cells fight many types of cancer, including prostate, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer. This however needs more evidence.

Studies show that the active ingredient in cayenne pepper known as capsaicin may have anti-cancer properties. One study found that capsaicin may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent new ones from forming. Specifically, the study found that cayenne pepper may be especially beneficial in helping prevent lung cancer in people who smoke or have smoked in the past. This is because the vast amounts of capsaicin found in cayenne can stop the formation of tumors in the lungs due to tobacco use. Another study indicated that similar results were noted in research that involved liver tumors and prostate cancer. While some people find that taking capsaicin in supplement form helps, you can also get the same benefits by adding it to dishes.

Heart  Cayenne peppers can protect heart health in several ways. There’s evidence, for instance, that capsaicin can protect against inflammation in your body. Inflammation plays a role in many different diseases, including heart disease. Cayenne peppers can keep blood vessels healthy and may help lower blood pressure.

Researchers found that people who regularly ate chili peppers were 13% less likely to die than people who avoided spicy fare. The reason? Spice lovers had a lower risk of heart-related diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

What’s more, researchers found that when people season their meals with cayenne pepper, they’re less likely to reach for the saltshaker.

Blood Pressure: As per researchers, another of the cayenne pepper benefits may be that the capsaicin in cayenne pepper could reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) by relaxing the blood vessels.

Your blood pressure may go up if you’re stressed, inactive, or if you eat a poor diet. It’s a widespread condition. In fact, approximately 40 percent of people over the age of 25 have it. Adding cayenne to your daily diet is one thing you can do to lower your levels. One study found that mice with high blood pressure who ate capsaicin daily reduced their blood pressure levels. Another study found that capsaicin helped relax blood vessels in subjects, which lead to lower blood pressure. Although these trials were animal studies, they show promising results that if you eat a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods, it may help reduce your blood pressure, which has many benefits for your heart.

Heart Attacks: Cayenne may help prevent myocardial infarction (heart attacks) by promoting blood flow effectively through the circulatory system. It has a mild blood-thinning action, which may be helpful in people with cholesterol problems. However, it is not a replacement for your blood thinners and cholesterol medications.

Nerve, Joint Pain: Cayenne powder applied locally reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that sends pain signals to the brain. Reduction or removal of these chemical stops pain signals from reaching the brain and relieves pain. Studies show that cayenne pepper can relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain from fibromyalgia, migraines, diabetic neuropathy in the legs and feet, injuries to the lower back, and osteoarthritis.

Capsaicin in cayenne acts as a counterirritant, causing temporary pain to the skin that depletes the chemical messengers of pain for the joint. Applied as a cream, capsaicin permeates the skin, enters the nerve, and eliminates substance P, which stops the pain message from reaching the brain. Leaving a concentrated form on the skin for a long period of time may cause skin irritation. However, a review of the medical literature failed to find overwhelming positive benefits over placebo in arthritis patients. In patients with diabetes who had nerve pain, cayenne cream was effective in some patients, but burning was a frequent side effect, and many patients stopped using it. Another group of patients with diabetes and nerve pain experienced significant reduction in pain status (a 45 percent reduction on the pain severity scale) using a 0.75 percent cream applied four times a day. Half of the patients improved or were cured. Cayenne seemed to relieve pain in patients with osteoarthritis rather than those with the rheumatoid form of the disease. In another study, patients with osteoarthritis used a 0.75 percent cream four times a day for four weeks. Afterward, they had less pain and were less tender. According to the German Commission E, cayenne is used for rheumatism and muscular soreness. Cayenne has been shown to reduce postoperative nerve pain after breast surgery, amputation, and thoracotomy.

Digestion: Cayenne pepper aids the digestive system to work efficiently by inhibiting enzyme production. Researchers have proven that capsaicin stimulates alkali and mucous secretions, preventing and curing gastric ulcers. Capsaicin in cayenne pepper also stimulates the salivary glands to produce saliva, which aids digestion and keeps bad breath at bay.

Lots of people associate spicy foods with heartburn or an upset stomach. But for many people, spice can have the opposite effect. Cayenne pepper is really helpful for digestion. It increases gastric juices and enzyme production in the stomach, which helps us break down food.

There’s also evidence that spicy foods like cayenne peppers can boost the good bacteria in your gut. The microbiome is a community of bacteria in your gut that are important for a healthy immune system. Capsaicin may help promote a healthy microbiome.

It might seem like the heat from eating cayenne pepper could do some damage to your gut, but the opposite is true. Cayenne pepper helps stimulate your salivary glands, which is where the digestive process begins. It also encourages enzyme production to help the digestive system break down foods. By stimulating gastric juices, cayenne pepper encourages the body to metabolize foods and toxins. Research shows that cayenne may also be able to protect the stomach against infections by stimulating specific nerves in the stomach that protect it against injury. If you have an upset stomach or intestinal gas, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to your next meal. It can also be used to ease, soothe or prevent stomach ulcers.

The inside of the stomach can be protected from extensive aspirin use by taking cayenne in advance of aspirin, as it delays gastric mucosal damage compared to aspirin alone.

Reduces Hunger  Several studies have found that eating cayenne peppers can help reduce your hunger, make you feel full for longer, and help you eat less. Although the mechanisms are not exactly understood, it appears that cayenne minimizes the release of the hunger hormone ghrelin that prompts you to eat. One study (12) found that cayenne pepper helped decrease appetite in Japanese women and total energy intake in Caucasian men. Additionally, the researchers related cayenne pepper to an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity in the Caucasian male group. Another study found that people who took capsaicin supplements ate 10 percent less on average than a control group while those who drank a beverage that contained capsaicin reduced their energy intake by 16 percent.

Metabolism  In addition to helping you eat less; cayenne pepper may also boost your metabolism. It does so by increasing the amount of heat your body produces, which helps you burn more calories throughout the day, according to one study. This heat-induced process is known as thermogenesis, and it quite literally heats up your metabolism. One study found that people who ate a breakfast that contained capsaicin and medium chain triglyceride oil (which helps you absorb the capsaicin) burned 51 percent more calories while eating that meal. This was compared to people who did not eat either MCT or capsaicin for their breakfast. Other studies show that the metabolism-boosting effects of capsaicin are small.

Ulcers  Ulcers are irritating, but luckily, cayenne pepper is an anti-irritant that helps eases the pain. This is because it inhibits acid secretion, and stimulates mucus and alkali secretions, particularly gastric mucosal blood flow, to help prevent and heal ulcers. One study found that capsaicin helps stimulate neurons in the stomach. It also signals for protection against agents that cause injury. If you want to enhance your protection against ulcers further, then ease up on the NSAIDS. Ironically, you can use cayenne pepper to help relieve your pain instead. Try adding some to your favorite stir-fry dish for a tasty kick.

Psoriasis: Using cayenne pepper cream as a topical agent may help treat moderate and severe psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that presents itself as inflamed, scaly patches on the skin caused when the skin cells replicate too rapidly.

Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by itching patches of red skin. It occurs when your skin cells replicate very fast, and dead skin cells cannot be cleared from the surface quickly enough before new ones are formed. This causes a buildup of scaly patches of red, swollen skin. Research shows that 0.025 percent capsaicin from cayenne pepper cream can be used topically to treat psoriasis. One study found that subjects with psoriasis who used cayenne pepper for six weeks had a significant decrease in the redness and scaling associated with their condition. Another study from the same source indicated that when the capsaicin cream was used four times a day for six weeks, it significantly decreased thickness, redness, itching, and scaling of the subject’s psoriasis patches.

Anti-Fungal: CAY-1 is a substance found in cayenne pepper. It is known to attack the cell walls of the fungus. This property may help to fight against fungal infections of the skin and mucous membrane (the inner lining of the mouth and gut).

Capsaicin isn’t the only compound in cayenne pepper that’s good for your health. CAY-1 is another company that has benefits. Specifically, research shows that its effective against 16 different fungal strains. The best part is that unlike many medications, cayenne is non-toxic, so it’s safe for animals. Fungal infections can show up on your skin, such as in in the case of ringworm. Yeast infections, jock itch, and athlete’s foot are all common types of fungal infections. To double your protection against fungal diseases, you can apply a topical cream or add the spice to your food.

Sexual Benefits: Adding a dash of cayenne pepper or other chili peppers to your daily diet may improve libido and sexual satisfaction. The benefits of cayenne pepper sexually for females may include a reduction of pain from intercourse from improved blood flow and a consequent increase in lubrication. However, there is not much research or evidence to support this claim.

Because of its ability to increase circulation, you can use cayenne to heat things up in the bedroom. Men who have problems getting erections can use cayenne to stimulate blood flow to their penis while women who have problems achieving an orgasm can benefit from the same increase in blood flow. Do not apply cayenne topically to sensitive areas. In this case, it’s best to add cayenne to your diet or take it as a supplement.

Migraines  It might sound strange, but cayenne pepper can help relieve your migraine pain by causing you to feel pain in different parts of your body, which diverts your attention away from your migraine. Before you write this method off as something you’d never try, consider that some research indicates you can reduce your pain levels by merely using brain power anyway. For example, if you perceive your pain as not as bad as it really it, it may help reduce your actual levels. Additionally, you’ll minimize substance P or the nerve pain chemical from the nerve fibers in the area where the pain is detected. In other words, you tricked your brain to feel less pain. Talk about using your brain.

Blood Clots  Cayenne pepper can be used to prevent blood clots, which helps support your heart health. Blood clots are blockages that occur in your blood vessels and arteries. They limit blood flow throughout your circulatory system and make it harder for your heart to pump. Additionally, limited blood flow throughout the body may also increase your risk of stroke. Blood carries oxygen and other vital nutrients throughout your body, so you don’t want to mess with this system. Cayenne pepper prevents blood clots by encouraging fibrinolytic activity. Capsaicin is also good at clearing away lipid deposits that narrow your arteries and dilating them so that blood is free to flow through without any blockages.

Removes Toxins  If you’ve ever looked at some of the ingredients listed in a detox beverage, you may have noticed that it contains cayenne. This is because cayenne contains antioxidant properties that clear toxins out of the body. Removing toxins helps improve your skin health. It also improves the efficiency of your digestive tract, blood flow, and metabolism. For a yummy detox drink, try combining two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, two tablespoons maple syrup, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to a glass of water. Some people as many as eight glasses a day to clear out their system and reboot their metabolism. You can also use this as a one-time drink concoction if you just want a quick pick-me-up. Avoid the maple syrup if you’re watching your sugar intake.

Vision  If you’ve ever been told to eat lots of carrots to boost your eye health, it’s because of the high vitamin A content. Cayenne pepper contains a lot of vitamin C, too, so if carrots aren’t your thing, you can try the spicy stuff instead. Vitamin A is also needed to keep your brain and skin healthy. It works as an antioxidant in the body to reduce toxins and inflammation that cause chronic disease, such as macular degeneration. Vitamin A can also help foster cell growth. So not only does it help reduce damage to existing cells, but it also encourages new, healthy cells to form. Two teaspoons of cayenne pepper a day provides you with your full recommended intake of vitamin A for the day.

Antibacterial  Like fungal infections, bacterial infections can be a pain. Food poisoning is a great example. It occurs when you eat something that has been contaminated with bacteria. Research shows that cayenne pepper can be used in place of traditional preservatives such as the harmful synthetic kinds to keep your food fresh and healthy. You can also use the antibacterial properties of cayenne to keep your body free from harmful bacteria that cause colds, digestive problems, and skin infections. Try adding some to a meat-based dish that you plan on making in large amounts so that you can safely store the leftovers in your refrigerator for up to one week without fear of it going bad.

Toothache  Toothache pain is the worst. Just ask anyone who has ever had dental work done. Because of its ability to reduce substance P in nerve fibers, cayenne can be used topically to control tooth pain. While using cayenne alone won’t make your cavity go away, it can certainly help get you through a painful time until the dentist can see you. Try applying an over-the-counter capsaicin cream to your tooth or make your own at home by mixing the inside of a capsaicin capsule with some coconut oil and applying it directly to the pained tooth.

Skin  Because of its high vitamin E content, cayenne pepper can be used as part of your beauty regimen. Along with vitamin C, vitamin E helps restore collagen levels, which is a protein needed to give skin its elasticity. Vitamins C and E are also antioxidants, and they have been shown to reverse skin damage caused by excessive UV rays. If you’ve been in the sun for too long or are worried about modifying those sunspots you acquired from your 20’s, then cayenne can help. Add some to your diet and apply a topical cream to problem areas to reduce wrinkles. Watch out for your eyes though. Cayenne is one spice you don’t want to accidentally get into sensitive areas!

Longevity  Can cayenne pepper extend your life? Some research suggests that it can. One study that used data from nearly half a million subjects found that people who ate foods containing cayenne pepper had a 14 percent chance of living a longer life than people who don’t eat the spice. Further research shows that this might be due to cayenne’s ability to reduce the number of deaths from heart problems, cancer, and respiratory problems. You don’t have to eat a lot to reap the benefits, either. Results from the study showed that eating it a few days out of the week was better than eating it only once a week.

Anxiety  Can a spicy food make you feel calmer? Some research says it can. According to researchers at Colgan Institute, cayenne stimulates the production of endorphins in your brain to block pain signals and make you feel good. This can help relieve anxiety and depression.

Immune  With its high vitamin C and beta-carotene content, cayenne pepper contains antioxidants that can be used to help boost your immune system and ward off the common cold or flu. It also helps break down mucus, which can assist with congestion when you have a cold to provide nasal relief. Eliminating mucus from the body means that you get the germs out quicker, so your symptoms will disappear sooner. Also, cayenne pepper increases your body temperature, which can help you sweat and fire up your immune response. Try some capsaicin in supplement form if adding it to food doesn’t sound good to you while you’re sick.

Recommended Use
For external application, use cayenne in the form of capsaicin cream; for internal applications, use cayenne powder, mixed with a starchy food. Do not apply capsaicin cream to broken skin and avoid contact with the eyes or mouth. If redness occurs, stop using it. It should clear up within seventy-two hours. The daily dose is 10 grams externally in a cream and as a tincture of 1:10 dilution. Homeopathic remedies are 5 drops, 1 tablet, or 10 globules every thirty to sixty minutes for acute problems or one to three times a day for chronic issues.

Both capsaicin and cayenne are difficult to remove from contact lenses. Even cleaning the lenses twice will leave enough capsaicin to cause severe eye irritation. Do not use any lens that may be contaminated with capsaicin or cayenne without seeing an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Some medical concerns exist. Long-term use in Mexico was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Cayenne may be anticancer at low doses and carcinogenic at high doses. Topical application of more than 1 percent cream may be toxic to nerves. Cayenne may reduce the ability of the blood to clot and some people are allergic to it, experiencing sneezing and runny nose. Chronic exposure to this herb may lead to an increased cough. If you are using an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin- converting enzyme) and experience coughing, discontinue its use. If you are using anticoagulants, do not use cayenne. Concurrent use of barbiturates or aspirin with cayenne may decrease their effectiveness. If you are taking theophylline to help with breathing, the drug may become toxic if combined with cayenne, so they should not be used together.

Taking cayenne powder internally on a regular basis or eating a diet high in hot peppers reduces the ability of the activity of the liver enzyme known by the abbreviation CYP1A2. The liver requires this enzyme to eliminate a number of common medications, including clomipramine (Anafranil), clozapine (Clozaril), imipramine (Tofranil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theolair, Theo-Dur, and others), warfarin (Coumadin), and zileuton (Zyflo). It is possible that taking cayenne with any of these medications could increase the medication’s side effects.

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
English: Chili pepper
Ayurvedic: Raktamaricha, Lankaa, Katuviraa
Unani: Mirch, Filfil-e-ahmar, Filfl-e-surkh, Surkh mirch
Also, known as: rissie, tian jiao, poivron, Spanischer Pfeffer, Chilli, Gewürzpaprika, hara mirh, paprika, pimento, pepperone, peppaa, cabai, Red pepper, Milagay, pimento, pimiento picante, phrik, biber, African pepper, bird pepper, chili, chili pepper, goat’s pod, paprika, red pepper, Zanzibar pepper.
Habitat: Native to West Indies & Tropical America
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Fruit

General Information:
Cayenne is a perennial but frost-sensitive shrub that grows to a height of three feet (one meter). It is covered with scarlet-red, conical fruits that, when fresh, contain plump, white seeds. Native to Mexico and Central America, cayenne was brought to Europe in the seventeenth century by the Spanish. It is a mainstay of the cuisines of much of Latin America and the American Southwest. Although cayenne is a unique species, any of the over 130 species of pepper that contain capsaicin can be used medicinally. The fresh or dried fruits are used medicinally.

The word Capsicum, the genus of cayenne, may have been derived from the Greek kapto, meaning “to bite.” This “bite” is caused by the constituent capsaicin. The more capsaicin a pepper has, the more heat or bite to it. This amount varies greatly among species and varieties.

The fruits are fleshy, hollow berries, very variable in shape and size as a result of domestication and breeding over many centuries. They may be sweet and non-pungent (“sweet peppers” or “capsicum”) or hot (known as “chili peppers” in the USA and as “chillies” or “chilli” in British English). The fruits are used fresh or dry, often as flakes or powder (red pepper), ranging from paprika (mild) to cayenne (moderately hot).

One way of expressing this bite or heat is in Scoville heat units (SHU). Cayenne has around 20,000 to 50,000 SHU. For the sake of comparison, bell peppers have 0 and habaneros have more than 100,000. Other members of the Capsicum genus include bell peppers, chilis, and habaneros. This genus is from the Americas and has been cultivated for at least 7,000 years. Some early explorers brought the seeds from South America to Europe, and they were so loved they quickly spread around the world.

There are many forms of C. annuum, ranging from sweet (bell pepper) to hot (cayenne), including the famous Mexican ‘Jalapeño’ and ‘Serrano’, but also ‘Cascabel’, ‘Catarina’, ‘Chilhuacle’, ‘Costeño’, ‘De Agua’, ‘Fresno’, ‘Guajillo’, ‘Pasilla’, ‘Pequin’, ‘Poblano’ and ‘Pulla’, as well as New Mexico chillies such as the ‘Anaheim.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
For cayenne pepper powder, a recommended amount is ½ – 2 tsp (1.5 – 4 g) per day. Start with a smaller amount, like 1 tsp. This can be split into 2 or more amounts. This can be added to food or drinks.
Speak to a healthcare provider with herbal knowledge before starting it if you’re taking a blood thinner or medications to manage diabetes.