CAYENNE (Capsicum annuum)

When you think of cayenne pepper, the first thing that might come to mind is the fiery kick it adds to your favorite dishes. But this vibrant red spice also has a whole range of medicinal properties and a long history of use in traditional medicine around the world. Indigenous peoples in the Americas have used cayenne for centuries to treat a range of ailments, including pain and arthritis. The spicy pepper was often applied topically in poultices or eaten to alleviate muscle pain, joint inflammation, and digestive issues.  Now, thanks to two scientists, David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian, we know why it works!  These two scientists even won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking research.

The active compound in cayenne is capsaicin which is the chemical responsible for the heat in cayenne pepper. Capsaicin interacts with the body’s sensory neurons, particularly through a receptor called TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1). This receptor is involved in detecting and regulating body temperature as well as pain. So, while our neurons are busy reacting to the heat of cayenne, they don’t transmit the pain signals to our brains. Julius and Patapoudian also discovered that capsaicin depletes substance P—a neurotransmitter involved in sending pain signals to the brain—and this may help reduce the sensation of pain.

 Capsaicin also exhibits strong anti-inflammatory properties. By inhibiting certain inflammatory pathways, it can help reduce inflammation in the body when taken orally or as part of our diet as well as when used topically. Capsaicin creams and ointments are frequently used to treat conditions like arthritis, neuropathic pain, and muscle soreness due to both its pain relieving and anti-inflammatoy properties.

Emerging research suggests that capsaicin may have positive effects on cardiovascular health. It has been found to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, improve circulation and reduce oxidative stress.

Capsaicin may also play a potential role in boosting metabolism. Studies have shown that it can increase thermogenesis, the process by which the body generates heat and burns calories. 

So next time you sprinkle some cayenne pepper into your meal, remember, you're not just spicing things up—you're also tapping into a range of health benefits!