Cayenne in the First Aid Kit?!

[Scooter]

Hi Gang!

I'm just reading about Cayenne pepper and its medicinal properties. I think Emerel et al have got the culinary side nailed.

Apparently it is quite the herb. Besides making food taste yummy (hot!) it helps stop bleeding of open wounds and when taken internally it helps many of the bodies functions (circulatory system, stomach and such).

Anyone have any experience with this herb in a medicinal sense?

Darren

 

[HM]

I might be off on this (as Dr Welch could tell) but capsaicin in hot pepper is used against joint pain, muscle ache. Also, based on my personal belief, around wounded area it accelerates healing by inducing blood circulation.
I read somewhere that it can prevent gastrointestinal parasite colonization when consumed regularly (?).

HM

 

[Stryver]

Large quantities of peppers will get rid of your typical bad GI parasites. Large quantities will also make you wanna wash yer a$$ in milk. This said, peppers are a staple in my personal diet. And I'm not too much worse for the wear. I don't know I'd use them as a medicinal, unless it was instead of vitamin C pills.

Any dried powder will help blood coagulate. I don't think it's worth applying unless you have an antibacterial powder. Anything else is asking for trouble, and a wound that won't clog needs more treatment than cayenne pepper. Raise, apply pressure, use pressure points if needed. These things will help stop bleeding, and allow the blood to clog where it's coming from, rather than at the surface, which is all powder would do.


Stryver