Peppers are the fruit from a flowering plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Despite all the varieties out there, every pepper is in the botanical classification; Capsicum.
They come in different shapes, sizes, colors and flavors. From green to yellow to red; from crunchy, sweet, and juicy to fiery hot and spicy, the variety offered by peppers is pretty remarkable. Even better, the range of phytochemicals and nutrients in all the types can do your body good. Let’s see some of their exciting benefits.
Wrist pain? Try cayenne pepper, a powerful pain relieving spice! Like all hot chili peppers, cayenne is rich in the chemical compound capsaicin. It is this compound that brings about pain relief. A study investigated the effect of capsaicin on nerve pain and found positive effects. Therefore, it can be said that nerve pain arising from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can also be alleviated using the spice. Capsaicin topical, cream made of capsaicin is really hot stuff! When applied to the hand, the cream provides a heating sensation that brings more blood circulation to your joints, and with it, more healing oxygen. Thereby providing relief from muscle or joint pain. You can get capsaicin from health stores and the best creams contain 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin.
Use it up to three times a day. You can as well make yours at home using cayenne powders, olive oil and/or coconut, honey wax. Be sure to wear protective gloves to prevent unintentionally spreading the cream to skin and eyes. Note that the strength of your homemade cream depends on your recipe. Please do a small patch of skin test first to avoid potential severity of any allergic reaction that may occur.
Mouse shoulder: This in layman’s terms is a condition caused by using the computer without proper arm support. Clinically, it’s considered as a Repetitive Strain Injury, RSI. If too much time at the computer has left you with a sore shoulder, “You can paint it red!” How? Make a pain relieving ointment by adding three – five drops of hot pepper sauce to 1- 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Massage the ointment unto the affected shoulder three or four times a day. Again, do a patch of skin test first.
Joint injuries: Vitamin C is critical for repairing injured joints. While you can easily take supplements, try adding some crunches of green and red bell peppers to your next salad. They are tastier sources of vitamin C!
Chronic fatigue syndrome: If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, load up on vitamin C-rich red peppers.
Chafed skin: This can take a long time to heal, but vitamin C can speed things up. You know that orange juice is full of vitamin C, but did you know that a cup of chopped red bell peppers provides almost as much vitamin C, as 30ml – glass of juice? That works out to nearly 300 mg. Be sure to include plenty of this sweet, crunchy treat on your menu when your skin is recovering.
Toothache: You can relieve a toothache pain by mixing a little quantity of cayenne pepper with coconut oil, swishing it around your mouth, then spitting it out. You can also rub a drop or two of the pepper sauce onto the gum at the base of your sore tooth. The capsaicin would immediately block the sensation of pain from traveling between your brain and nerves.
Spleen issues: Capsicum is one of the most efficient remedies for sensitive swollen and enlarged spleen. Add this freshly to your meals to warm up your spleen.
Irritable gut: Eating spicy foods makes some people with intestinal distress feel worse, but for others a little culinary heat brings some relief. Hot foods, such as chili peppers and ground red pepper may make your intestine less irritable. Add a dash of cayenne to spice up your meal or cup of tea. Please discontinue use if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Gas: Raw vegetables and fruits are notorious gas promoters in people with irritable bowel syndrome, but you can get your fiber and nutrients without triggering the gasworks by grilling fresh peppers and other produce.
Macular degeneration: Eat more peppers to protect your eyes. They are loaded with vitamin C, the nutrient you need most to prevent macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss.
Cancer: The more nutrients you receive during cancer treatment, the stronger and less prone to infections you’ll be. In addition to using well-recommended supplements, load your plate with a spectrum of yellow, green and red vegetables to get the most cancer-fighting nutrients possible. For instance, on a bed of dark leafy greens (such as spinach, kale or pumpkin), toss some red peppers (for vitamin C), carrots (for beta-carotene), and several cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage or broccoli (for isothiocyanates which are potent cancer-fighting compounds).
Weak heart: A sprinkling of red pepper helps keep your heart muscles in good shape, so eat it every chance you get!
Hair loss: Cayenne pepper is said to be “hot help” for hair loss. The capsaicin may be used to treat alopecia areata, as it works as a contact sensitizer. It is believed to stimulate hair growth. Here’s a mix that may help you keep a full head of hair. Add one or two drops of cayenne oil (cayenne + olive oil) to 30 ml of rosemary oil in a clean, small opaque bottle and shake properly. Then gently massage your entire scalp with the mixture for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, wash your hair. Do this twice a week, until you see substantial hair growth.
Common cold: The next time you feel a cold coming on, add some heat. Three or four times a day add a pinch of red pepper into a glass of tomato juice, then drink to your health. Cheers! For a sore throat, stay hydrated with lots of tomato juice and gargle several times a day.
With the numerous benefits of peppers, there is no doubt they are a healthy inclusion in our diet. For some people food tastes so bland without peppers, while some choose to avoid them because they find peppers are difficult to digest and may trigger heartburn. So, if they don’t disturb your system, do not allow your festive foods taste bland in any way! Color them healthy remember the benefits of peppers.
Complements of the season.