Fwd: Capsicum spp. - Special Report - Medicine at your Feet

[Guest guest]

I submit these in the spirit of enhancing our materia medica. They are

written by David Leonard, an L.Ac. in hawaii. They are speculative

ideas, not meant to be read as " facts "

 

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> PLANT NAME: Capsicum spp.

> FAMILY: Solanaceae

> Similarly Used Species: Capsicum. annum; C. annuum; C. baccatum;

> C. cerasiforme; C. chlorocladum; C. cordiforme; C. frutescens; C.

> frytescens; C. grossum; C. hispidum; C. longum; C. microcarpum.;

> C. minimum; C. pubescens

> COMMON NAMES: Cayenne, Paprika, Sweet pepper, Tabasco pepper, Red

> bird pepper, Africa pepper, Cockspur pepper, Goat's pepper

> [English]; Nioi [Hawai'i]; Aji, Chile [Panama]; Caja, Kapur,

> Rocoto [Cuna (Panama)]; Cayennepfeffer [Germany]; Hupo'o, 'Upo'o

> [Marquesas]; Ic [Ancient Mayans]; Khursani [Nepal]; La jiao, Zhi

> tian jiao [China]; Locoto [Quechua]; Marichi-phalam ( " pepper of

> the sun " ) [sanscrit]; Mpilipili [swahili]; Oporo [Tahiti];

> Peberfrugt [sweden]; Pimentao, Locoto, Aji picante [spanish];

> Pimente de cayenne, Poivre de guienee [France]; Polo feu [samoa];

> Polo fifisi [Tonga]; Polo mangiho [Niue]; Uchu [Quechua]; Waik'a

> [Aymara]

> CATEGORY: Herbs that Warm the Interior

> PROPERTIES: Acrid hot [China, India]

> CHANNELS ENTERED: Liver, Lungs, Stomach

> WESTERN FUNCTIONS: Abortifacient, aids in assimilating foods,

> alterative, anthelmintic, anti-fatigue, anti-scorbutic,

> antibacterial (topical), antibiotic, anticoagulant, antidote to

> poison, anti-infective, antimicrobial, anti rheumatic,

> antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, benefits digestion, blood

> detoxification, boosts immunity, cardiotonic, carminative,

> circulatory stimulant, counter-irritant, decongestant,

> diaphoretic, digestive aid, emenogogue, expectorant, febrifuge,

> fumitory, gargle, hemostatic, improves metabolism,, increases

> appetite, invigorates blood, irritant, lowers blood pressure,

> lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, nutritive, opens the

> chest, opens the nasal passages, promotes sound sleep,

> psychedelic, purifies blood, regulates blood pressure, relieves

> gas, relieves pain and inflammation, retards aging, rubefacient,

> rubefacient, shark repellent, sialagogue, stimulant, stimulate

> gastric secretion, stimulates endorphins, stimulates saliva,

> stomachic, tonic, vesicant (whew!)

> ENERGETIC FUNCTIONS: Warms the interior, invigorates blood,

> regulates qi, releases the exterior. benefits the digestion,

> increases pitta, reduces kapha and vata,

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> COMMON MEDICINAL USES:

> * Cold extremeties

> * Poor digestion

> * Colds and flus

> * Topical in a cream base for pain

> * In formualtions as an herbal harmonizer

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> WESTERN MEDICINAL USES:

> * Cosmetic: Balding; dandruff

> * Cardiovascular: Angina pectoris (with cold presentation)

> [Eclectics], arteriosclerosis (to prevent and ongoing), stroke

> and heart disease [Research], high blood pressure; topical for

> bleeding [india]; poor circulation (cream) [Research]

> * Dermatological: Burns [india]; frost bite (topical) [China

> (roots), Eclectics]; psoriasis; skin conditions [Tonga]

> Skin inflammations (crushed leaves topical) [Tonga]

> * Digestive: Abdominal pain and distension with poor absorption

> [China, Eclectics, India]; low appetite [China, Research];

> indigestion [China, India, Nepal, Research, Trinidad]; gas

> [Eclectics]; nausea; " stomach problems " [Research]; duodenal

> ulcers [Research]; enteritis [india]; gastric ulcers; gastritis

> [india]; constipation [Eclectics]; diarrhea [ancient Mayans,

> Eclectics, Nepal, Research]; dysentery with blood and mucous

> (especially with poor digestion) [Eclectics]

> * Endocrine: Diabetic neuropathy; thyroid disorders

> * Head and Throat:

> 1) Mucous membrane inflammation [Eclectics]; nasal sinus

> congestion [india];

> 2) Eye pains (juiced) [brazilian Indians]; chronic ophthalmia

> [Eclectics]; chronic or indolent ulceration of the cornea

> [Eclectics];.conjunctivitis [Peru, Tonga]; poor vision [south

> American Indians]

> 3) Sore throat (gargle but don't swallow) [Nepal, Research,

> Trinidad]; ulcerated throat (infusion and tincture) [Eclectics];

> hoarseness, throat infection [Eclectics, Research]

> 4) Headaches [Philippines], episodic cluster headaches and

> migraines [Research]; trigeminal neuralgia (cream topical) [Research]

> 5) Earache [ancient Mayans], vertigo; relaxed uvula [Eclectics],

> toothache (oil topical... Ouch!) [Eclectics]

> * Hepatic: Jaundice [Tonga]; liver disorders

> * Infection:

> 1) Abcesses (mashed leaves topical) [samoa, Tonga], boils and

> sores (fruit or leaves chewed, crushed, or heated, topical) [Cook

> Islands, India, Panama, Philippines, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga]

> 2) Fevers [Cherokee (topical on the soles of the feet), Jethro

> Kloss (specific), Nepal, Research, West Indies], slow grade

> fevers [Eclectics]; malarial fevers [Research]; yellow fever

> 3) Cholera [Eclectics]; typhus

> * Musculoskeletal / Trauma:

> 1) Osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis, stiff joints (topical

> in a cream) [Eclectics, Physiomedicalists, Research];

> inflammation (mashed leaves topical) [Tonga]; bursitis; shoulder,

> arm and spine pain [Research]; carpal tunnel

> 2) Low back pain

> 3) Tired, painful muscles [Eclectics], muscle aches, tension and

> spasm [Research], cramps [ancient Mayans]

> 4) Wounds (topical and internal use) [samoa, Tonga]; sprains and

> bruises; snakebite [Nepal]

> * Neurological: Neuralgia; post herpetic neuralgia; shingles

> (topical in a cream) [Research]; paralysis " without organic

> lesions " [Eclectics]; senility (also to prevent senility -

> increases blood flow to the brain) [uSA folk medicine]

> * Oncology: Carcinoma [Mongolia]; nasal cancer [Gabon]; tumors

> [Aztec, India, Native American]; epithelioma; mouth pain from

> chemotherapy or radiation [Research]

> * Parasites: Parasites [south America]; worms [india]

> * Pediatric: Chicken pox; topical on breast to wean a child [Navaho]

> * Psychospiritual:

> 1) Cayenne is burned with cacao in Ailigandi to drive off evil

> spirits. It used for the " evil eye " Panama and in India.

> 2) Depression [Eclectics, Physiomedicalists]; emotional or

> personal stagnation; lack of direction; procrastination;

> resistance to change or growth

> * Reproductive:

> 1) Delayed menstruation; late menses [England], unwanted

> pregnancy [indonesia]

> 2) Abnormal or passive uterine bleeding, uterine hemorrhage

> 3) Gonorrhea [samoa]; infertility [Japan]; prostate problems;

> female orgasm stimulant (cream) [Research]

> * Respiratory:

> 1) Asthma [Trinidad]; hay fever; respiratory difficulties

> (crushed leaves or fruit infused) [samoa]; common cold [Cherokee,

> Eclectics, India, Trinidad]; influenza; coughs (crushed leaves or

> fruit infused) [samoa, Trinidad]; chest congestion [samoa];

> bronchitis [india]; chronic bronchitis; damp mucous conditions of

> the lungs and colon; thick white mucous; lungs bleeding;

> tuberculosis [Tonga, Trinidad]; scrofula ( " the king's evil " );

> emphysema; pneumonia; irritant to mucous membranes if inhaled;

> internally, protects the lungs from pollution and cigarette smoke

> [Research]

> * Urinary: Seeds for urinary tract infection " yellow urine "

> [ancient Mayans], painful urination [india]; chronic renal

> congestion [Eclectics]; edema

> * Veterinary: For ticks on cattle in Ethiopia.

> * Other medicinal uses:

> 1) Alcoholism [Research]; " atonic dyspepsia of drunkards "

> [Eclectics]; intoxication [ifugao (Philippines)]; hangover;

> delirium tremens [Eclectics]

> 2) Pain internally, topically, and in aromatherapy. In Samoa the

> leaves are crushed or the fruit is infused. (cayenne triggers

> endorphins when tasted), pain from breast reconstruction or

> mastectomy, post amputation pain.

> 3) Chills [Eclectics, India, Physiomedicalists], cold

> extremities, with blanched lips and small, weak pulse

> [Eclectics]; breathlessness [samoa]; debility [Eclectics];

> fatigue; sluggishness [King's Dispensatory]

> 4) Hemorrhoids [Eclectics, Nepal]; gangrene (topical poultice)

> [Cherokee]; seasickness [Research]

> USE AS FOOD:

> * The leaves are used as a potherb.

> * Added to food to keep it from spoiling [Native American]

> * Used to " cleanse " in diets high in animal products [Hippie Medicine]

> * The fruits or leaves are used as antidote to poisonous fish [Africa]

> Other Uses:

> * Sprinkled in socks to keep the feet warm.

> * Indians in San Bas drag hot peppers behind their boats as shark

> repellents

> * Burned to drive off rats (both rodents and the human type)

> * If you really want to remove unwanted guests from your home,

> just microwave a bowl of cayenne peppers. They'll leave... but

> then so will you....

> PART USED: Fruit, seeds, leaves, root

> HABITAT: Dry leeward areas in Hawai'i. Tropical America. India.

> CLINICAL COMBINATIONS:

> * For alcoholism with Hydrastis (Golden seal)

> * For laryngitis as a gargle with Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh)

> * With kelp for arthritis, and in small quantities as a catalyst

> to harmonize an herb formula

> * With Crateaegus for high cholesterol

> * With olive oil topical for cold sores, joint pain, muscle aches

> * Topical with alcohol or cider vinegar (especially good with

> gin... made from juniper) for sprains, sore joints and muscle aches

> Traditional Combinations:

> * For body aches and pains with sea salt (Pa'a kai) [Hawai'i]

> * For boils, crushed leaves with coconut oil (topical) [Cook

> Islands, Tahiti]

> * Dysentery: with sweetened Sumac leaves, bark and fruits [samuel

> Thompson 1769 - 1843]

> * For fever with sugar and sour orange juice [West Indies]

> * For indigestion, weak digestion and loss of appetite with

> cucumbers, chives or onions, shallots, lemon or lime juice, and

> red wine. (Is that to relieve or create indigestion?) [West Indies]

> * Mashed leaves with coconut oil for boils [samoa]

> * With beef tea for delirium tremens [Eclectics]

> * With Aloe for dysentery with poor digestion and without rectal

> burning [Eclectics]

> * With salt for sore throat

> * With Cinchona officinalis (Quinine) for malaria

> * With the powdered Cephaëlis ipecacuanha (Ipacac) for post

> partum bleeding

> * To stop vomiting and nausea with salt, vinegar, and water [Eclectics]

> * Can be combined with other herbs to promote their action [Eclectics]

> CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS:

> * Caution in hypoglycemia, liver disorders, kidney disorders,

> acute gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, irritable bowel, and

> hemorrhoids. High doses may cause gastroenteritis and may

> aggravate acute asthma attacks

> * Limit use of cream to 2 days: can cause blisters and dermatitis

> * Overdose produces vomiting, purging, stomach pain, giddiness,

> and intoxication ( " Bartender... I'll have what he's

> having... " )[Eclectics] and can cause hypothermia, chronic

> gastritis, kidney and liver damage [Research]. Overdose is a rare

> occurrence if one uses common sense. Unfortunately, common sense

> is uncommon in Hawai'i.

> * Topical use can cause dermatitis and blistering. (And don't get

> it in your eyes... trust me on this...)

> * Sub mucous fibrosis of the palate has been correlated to a high

> intake of chili

> * Inhalation of paprika can cause allergic alveolitis

> Energetic Cautions:

> * Not for bleeding due to heat or for dry wind conditions

> * Not in qi deficiency

> POSSIBLE DRUG INTERACTIONS:

> * Can enhance drug absorbtion

> * Can potentiate anticoagulants

> * Can cause coughing when taken with ACE inhibitors

> * Increases theophylline absorption

> * Acute use in rats increases hexobarbital blood levels and

> sleeping time, but chronic use decreases them [Research]

> * Cayenne when taken 30 minutes before aspirin can reduce mucosal damage

> PREPARATION: Powdered, cooked, infused, decocted, tinctured,

> juiced, mashed, eaten, and swallowed whole ( " Kahan style " ). When

> the peppers are red, cut them off at the stem or pull up the

> entire plant and hang it up to dry. Powdered cayenne should

> always be kept in dark

> Dosage: Used in small doses to warm, in larger doses will cause a

> cooling effect. (Cayenne is a clear example of the Chinese adage

> " Extreme Yang turns to Yin, Extreme Yin turns to Yang " )

> Internally: 1 teaspoon in 1 cup water; 400-500 milligrams in

> capsules; 10-15 drops of tincture.

> RESEARCH:

> * Antioxidant in low doses (possibly because of carotene), but

> there is the possibility of increased cancer risk in higher doses.

> * Increases digestive metabolism (increases

> sympathetic-parasympathetic activity ratio)

> * Lowers triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in rats.

> * Reduces the platelet aggregation and increases fibrinolytic activity.

> * When used topically, Capsaicin first stimulates and then drains

> pain fibers of " substance P " (a transmitter of pain impulses).

> Substance P may also play a role in the tissue inflammation of

> osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and high levels of

> substance P have been linked to psoriasis. Capsaicin has been

> found to reduce the signs and symptoms of psoriasis.

> * Cultures consuming a large amount of cayenne pepper have a much

> lower rate of cardiovascular disease.

> * Capsaicin has a chemical structure similar to vanilla, and can

> increase metabolism and reduce the amount of fat stored in the body.

> * Cayenne has 369 milligrams of vitamin C and 21,600 I.U. of

> vitamin A per 3.5 ounces.

> Notes 'n Quotes:

> * Vitamin C was first discovered by a Hungarian scientist who was

> studying cayenne pepper.

> * " Cayenne " is taken from the Greek word " to bite " .

> * In India, cayenne is associated with the third chakra.

> * Cayenne from Sierra Leone is said to be the best to use for medicine.

> * Cayenne has been found in ancient Peruvian burial sites

> * Cayenne was brought back to Europe by Christopher Columbus on

> his second voyage to the West Indies, and was first described in

> 1494 by Diego Alvarez Chanca, a physician working with Colombus.

> 16th century sailors later used cayenne peppers to prevent scurvy.

> * Carolus Linnaeus named the genus Capsicum in the mid 1700's and

> identified two species. By the early 20th century the number of

> species had risen to more than 100. A recent reevaluation of the

> Capsicum determined that there are, in fact, only two species,

> and that it is a polymorph (a plant that takes on many shapes and

> varieties). The two species recognized today are Capsicum annuum

> and Capsicum frutescens. Linnaeus was right all along....

> * Tabasco sauce is made from C. frutescens.

> * The species C. annuum includes chili peppers, cayenne peppers,

> and bell peppers.

> * The stuff that burns your mouth in cayenne pepper is called

> Capsaicin. It is also used in self defense " pepper sprays " . If

> you've ever been hit in the eyes with pepper spray, it is an

> unforgettable experience... an amazing form of behavior

> modification... and definitely an acquired taste.

> * Capsaicin first stimulates and then sedates the heat detecting

> ability of the hypothalamus gland. This can result in a lowering

> of body temperature, a useful characteristic hot in tropical climates.

> * The hot qualities of peppers (determined by the capsaicinoid

> ingredients) are measured in " Scoville Units " , which were

> invented by pharmacist Wilbur Scoville. The hottest pappers (the

> Caribbean " Scotch Bonnet " and the Mexican Habanero) rate as

> 300,000 Scoville Units. Cayenne and Tabasco are at 30,000 -

> 50,000 units. Jalapenos come in at 2500 - 5000. And bell peppers

> are at zero. A simpler system uses a 0 to 10 rating.

> * To put out the fire in your mouth after a strong dose of

> cayenne use alcohol (like beer) or fat (like milk or yogurt).

> PROS AND CONS, YOU DECIDE:

> Those for:

> * " The all-supporting stimulating effect of Capsicum is the

> infallible action of internal success. " - - Alma R. Hutchens

> * " A supreme and harmless internal disinfectant " - - Juliette de

> Bairacli

> * 'The purest and most certain stimulant in Herbal Materia

> Medica " - - R. C. Wren

> * " One of the most wonderful medicines we have. " - - Jethro Kloss

> And those opposed:

> * " The greedy merchants, led by lucre, run

> To the parched Indies and the rising sun;

>> From thence hot pepper and rich drugs they bear

> Barter for spices their Italian ware " - - John Dryden (1631 - 1700)

> * " It hath in it a malitious qualitie, whereby it is an enemie to

> the liver and other of the entrails... it killeth dogs. " - - John

> Gerard, 1597

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Chinese Herbs

 

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