Cayenne Pepper
Health Benefits

Cayenne Pepper Health: Immune Boost, Pain Relief, and More

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Cayenne Recipes

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by William James (Seattle, Wa) on 08/20/2011
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I ingest cayenne through a tasty blended drink I call Bill's Spice Juice:

  • 1 whole lemon and/or lime
  • 1 tray of ice
  • Orange Juice (or orange concentrate)
  • 1 tsp Cayenne
  • 1-2 tsp powdered ginger
  • water
  • Blend till smoothOptional delicious variations to the above recipe add: spinach and banana or berry jam or frozen berries.

    The addition of powered ginger and jam alters the drink in a tropical manner. I find this drink so tasty, I can't wait to come home to drink it. I've been drinking it since June 2011 and I noticed (on August 14) that my tendon & joint pain I've suffered with for four years now has vanished.

Replied by Rejjie
(Derry, Nh)
11/22/2011
★★★★★

Thank you for this wonderful recipe. This drink is really great and effective. It tastes very good with spinach and bananas. Has brought my inflammation down and has a cleansing effect too. Love it.

Replied by Belady
(Somewhere In, Or)
05/14/2012
★★★★★

Adding another tsp of turmeric makes for additional wellness..


Cayenne Side Effects

8 User Reviews
(8) 
  100%

Posted by Jeena (NY) on 07/22/2023

After making a drink with cayenne pepper, I fainted. It went down with no problem. The taste was not bad because I added lemon to the water with the cayenne pepper. 20 minutes after consuming the drink I made I began to feel nausea and become lightheaded and passed out.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Winnie (Nairobi) on 12/10/2016

I started using cayenne pepper for my blood pressure 2 days ago and I have noticed that my stool has mucus. Is this a cause for alarm?

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
12/10/2016

Dear Winnie,

Perhaps the cayenne is cleaning something out, thus the mucous. Or perhaps the remedy doesn't agree with you personally.

I would take a few days off and see if the symptoms stop. If you resume the remedy, you might want to take less.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Whisperingsage
(N California)
03/31/2018
45 posts

I'm taking it Because it makes mucous. I have a refractory ( means stubborn) duodenal ulcer. Since 2009. I've tried 50 herbs at least. And on all nutrients. Negative for H pylori. Several tests, always negative. So taking carnosine, GLA, krill oil, E, and cayenne. Read recommend for taking it in mouth and letting senses feel. Then take milk and wet it all down and swallow. But it makes me sleepy.

Pat
(Florida)
09/20/2020

Winnie, You want mucous to come out - that's a very good thing. Sounds like the cayenne is working to me.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Leenora (Charlotte, NC) on 09/03/2014

Heart, will cayenne get my pulse rate up; as well as heart palpations? pulse rate(48-60)

Replied by Bee
(New York, US)
09/03/2014

Hi, I have to tell you that everyone is different. I am on bp meds and then I heard the great things about cayenne pepper so I tried some.. Well It made my blood pressure go up and so I don't use it now... I do still use some hot sauce here and there.. I don't know much about the cayenne capsules because I haven't used them and thinking would they be better? I don't know but cayenne can raise bp and heart rate.

Replied by William
(Colorado)
12/27/2015

I'm a bit new to Cayenne and also [FWIW] Blood type A

It appears that what is for me, an aggressive amount of Cayenne bumps my BP up after ingesting it but that it goes right back down after a short time.

I'm contributing this for any who may find it interesting but also seeking confirmation from others more experience with Cayenne.

Replied by Kelly
(Cambridge, Ma)
12/28/2015

While it has many benefits, I wasn't able to use cayenne either. It made my BP skyrocket.

I've read the same from others who post here. It aids some in controlling their BP, but for me (and others), it has the opposite effect and causes BP to go through the roof! It scared me to death.

I started 'low and slow', too. I took just a little, then slowly increased my intake, but once I got to the recommended therapeutic dose (actually, even before I got there), my BP was so jacked-up that it scared me and I stopped.

It's definitely not for everyone.

Replied by Whisperingsage
(N California)
03/31/2018
45 posts

Look up Dr Coca's Pulse Test. It's a free PDF. You may be sensitive and need not to take it.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Alla (Chicago, Il) on 02/20/2014

Hi Ted and all! I usually have low BP, but after I take a quarter of powdered cayenne papper diluted in warm water my BP goes up and my heart rate becomes stronger and faster than usual. I also noticed that if I take it in the evening I dream very scary dreams and wake up in the middle of the night with high BP and fast heart rate. Can someone please help me to understand the reason and recommend if I need to keep trying or stop using it?

Replied by Bee
(New York)
02/20/2014

Hi Alla from Chicago

I do have high bp and I tried cayenne pepper and it did also raise my bp..With the things I read though it said it lowers bp ...

I am not sure why it raises bp but I guess that is because it opens up the blood vessels wider .. well hopefully an expert here will weigh in. Now I just sprinkle a few drops on food but am careful not to use it too much.....

Replied by Caitlin
(Austin Texas)
02/21/2014

Perhaps you are allergic to capsicum. I can take cayenne but my sister cannot, and, it does raise her BP too; not so me. Everyone is blessed differently, so, taking cayenne might not be your body's thing. Cat

Replied by Mr. Ree
(Usa)
02/21/2014

Try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with a squirt of lemon twice a day...It will alkalize you and lower your BP..You may even do it three times a day if you feel you need it...

Replied by Priscilla
(Birmingham, Al)
04/11/2018

Have you been tested for Mitral Valve Prolapse? I had similar symptoms when I was 21. Rapid heart beat at night, low normal blood pressure, as well as dizziness when I got up too fast. The cardiologist did many heart tests, including a holter monitor. He diagnosed me withe ( totally benign ) MVP, and put me on Beta blocker ( for a short period. ). Once I knew it was harmless, I learned how to do biofeedback for the rare times it bothered me, went of Beta blocker. The key was a correct diagnosis. I slept better, also. My BP naturally runs low normal.

So, I suggest stopping the cayenne, and consulting an MD if these issues continue. It may just be the cayenne.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Mario (Dallas Tx, Texas U.s) on 04/10/2013

I have been using cayenne pepper for a few months but I have to stop because it causes throat irritation. I like to continue using it, BUT I do not know how to minimize the condition. Any suggestion, will be appreciated.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
04/11/2013

Mario: 1. Maybe you don't need it anymore. 2. Maybe you need smaller doses now. 3. If none of the above, you can put it in capsules.

Replied by Liz
(Boston, Massachusetts)
04/11/2013

Pick up some empty gelatin capsules (very easy to find both online or at your local Vitamin Shoppe), fill them with the cayenne powder, then take the capsule(s) with water after a meal.

There are companies that sell cayenne capsules but I have always preferred making my own so that I know what's in them.

Replied by Zark
(Emerald City)
04/16/2015

Yes, I agree with Liz. Get a capsule machine! I bought mine online and it wasn't expensive. Likewise I bought 1000 capsules online on the cheap too.

Replied by Wanda
(Spring, Texas)
10/04/2021
33 posts

You can buy cayenne in capsules at most health food stores.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Walter (Beeville, Texas) on 10/17/2011

The last 4 times I took 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of warm water I vomited 3 times and one time I did not vomit. Why? Walter

Replied by Nicole
(Melbourne, Australia)
01/23/2013

Hi Walter, The same thing happened to me today I took 1/4 teaspoon with a glass of water and felt like I was about to vomit so I quickly ran and got a glass of water and the feeling soon went away. Perhaps the cayenne pepper is too strong for our bodies, everyone is diferent and I am a new to eating hot spicey food so if you're the same then I guess that's why it's happening. I'm going to post and ask a few questions and hopefully someone will give us an answer soon enough and good luck.


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Nate (Portland, Oregon) on 03/27/2011

I have been drinking 1/4 teaspoon of organic cayenne pepper (30K) once a day for the past two days. My stomach is fine and I feel great after drinking it. Although, for the past two nights I have been unable to sleep. My mind doesn't seem to shut down. Everything that I read states that cayenne should augment my sleep. Does anyone know why I am experiencing this side effect?

Replied by Try2help
(Louisville, Kentucky)
10/03/2011

It could be that you are exercising too late and your body is still reved up... However you can go the alternative way and take a sleep supplement like melatonin or you could go to bed an hour early to relax your mind so you can dose off naturaly I would take a hot bath with Lavendar before I went to bed...

Or another simple thing you could drink tart cherry juice it has natural melatonin in it I would add a little water and 1/4 tsp of vanilla... I hope this helps...!!!


Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Gulay Ersoz (Los Angeles, CA) on 11/11/2007

I have been taking one cayenne pepper pill a day with warm lemonade in the mornings for the last 2 weeks or so. I experience slight heartburn like feeling but it was not a big problem. Two days ago, I took two pills instead of one, and it was no more than 3 minutes after I swallowed the pills, I had the extreme cramping in my stomach, became very dizzy, my left arm was hurting and I felt tingling on my fingers and legs... Not only the pain was extremely bad, my head was spinning, I was having hard time walking in my kitchen. I was hot, I just wanted to stop the cramping and managed to throw up. Took two Tums... With the hyper ventilation and dizziness, I laid in the bath tub and turned the cold water on, (I was so out of it and unable to control my reflexes, I couldn't even take my clothes off) it took about another 10-15 minutes before the pain went away, and I actually managed to get up and walk around... I called my doctor friend and she asked me if I experienced chest pain, I said no. Other than that I had all the symptoms of a heart attack. Went to see a doctor, and after the EKG, I was told that I had a bad reaction to cayenne pepper. It was not a joking matter for me, as I was home alone with my 3 year old sleeping in her bed, I had to have a reality check. How healthy is it to be trying to be healthy???

Replied by Curt
(Leesburg, Va)
11/11/2010

The other night almost the same thing happen to me. I ate my dinner and then took my cayenne pills (2 of them). Minutes later I started to feel this pain in my stomach. It got worse and worse.... I thought maybe I had to throw up but I really don't like to so I tried not to. I walked into the living room and almost passed out. I laid down on the couch and went into a heavy sweat. Slowly the pain went away and I came back to reality.

Since then I have taken my cayenne pills before I eat. This has not happen again BUT... I can't help but want it to happen again. Even though the pain was really bad at first..... I felt great after the episode was over.

Replied by Whisperingsage
(N California)
03/31/2018
45 posts

I read an article for that saying it has to go through the mouth first. Yeah, I wasn't thrilled, but if it helps me, I take my burning medicine, so far no cramps, but burning in mouth.


Cayenne Tips

21 User Reviews
5 star (21) 
  100%

Posted by Cindy (Illinois. USA) on 09/10/2019 524 posts
★★★★★

Holy moly! OK, I switched to a shot glass to get it over with faster. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp in just that little bit of warm water and toss it back. If you're up to a whole teaspoon, I would suggest tossing back two shots of 1/2 each but I haven't gotten that far yet. The shot glass is so, so, SOOO much easier than tea and a straw with the hotter versions of cayenne. I could toss back these shots all day and I'm a monumental WUSS when it comes to hot stuff and this cayenne is rated 130,000. WAY hotter than the wussy 30k I used to use as tea. I was afraid I couldn't get this stuff down more than a tiny bit at a time but no MORE! WOOHOO!! I would liken it to using a straw because all the hot is at the back of the throat and dissipates very quickly. Particularly on one little sore spot that I have and that didn't burn near as much as it did yesterday. Also, you can fix up a shot and dip your finger in it, put it in your nose and sniff it off and up into your nose several times. Works very well. And if you tilt your head back and to the sides, it will get all up in the various sinus cavities. You should definitely google the "sinus cavity" images because, all together, they're HUGE! And all over the place in your head.


Cayenne Tips
Posted by Quadshield (Prattsville, Arkansas) on 09/13/2016
★★★★★

Years ago a homeopathic doctor prescribed the cayenne pepper caps for my husband. But he did explain that if you do not put at least a small amount on your tongue first to tell your brain to prepare your stomach for it that it can cause a bad burning in your stomach. The easiest way was tomato juice or v-8 or even better v-8 spicy. Just half a cup at most and add just a small pinch of the pepper. Drink that and then take your pepper caps with water. It made a world of difference.


Cayenne Tips
Posted by John1974 (N. Ireland) on 03/04/2015 38 posts

hi everyone. I just bought some cayenne pepper and I am looking to start using it but not quite sure of the amount to take and what to take it with?

I was also told that it is very good for clearing the arteries? and its good for over all health. Any info would be great. thanks

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
03/05/2015

Dear John 1974,

Did you buy cayenne powder? One thing you can do is just put some in a pepper shaker and add it to food. Over time you will increase your tolerance and be able to add more.

Another option is to add 1/4 teaspoon to some juice (4-6 ounces) once or twice a day. I use a straw when I drink this otherwise the cayenne can burn the lips.

Cayenne is awesome to have on hand for a sore throat. If used at the beginning of a sore throat (or cold that begins with a sore throat) gargling with it every few hours for a day or two will often knock out the infection. It also helps a lot with the pain. I add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne and 1/4 teaspoon salt to 4 ounces of water and gargle. (Put some chap stick or something on your lips before gargling to avoid burning the lips.) It is super spicy but wow, it works so well.

Cayenne is also awesome if you get a cut that won't stop bleeding. After cleaning the wound you can pack it with cayenne. A friend did this with a bad cut and went to the hospital to get stitches. The ER doctor wanted to know how they got such a bad cut to stop bleeding! It stings at first but that does not last and often helps with the pain.

And yes, cayenne is great for the circulatory system and for the heart. When my husband would have arrhythmia problems, he would take a couple of capsules of cayenne, hawthorne and ginger and it would always help.

Cayenne will also help to warm you up. You can take it in juice when you are cold.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by John1974
(N. Ireland)
03/08/2015
38 posts

Thanks mama for your lovely reply. Yeah I got myself some and I have put some of the powder into capsules. I've been taking it for 4 days now. Heart condition runs in our side of the family and I'm trying to avoid such illnesses.

Replied by Wanda
(Spring, Texas)
10/04/2021
33 posts

Hawthorn is so good for the heart. When I studied herbology, when hawthorn was looked at under a microscope, the cells look just like human hearts!

Mama to Many
(TN)
10/04/2021

Dear Wanda,

That is really cool!

~Mama to Many~


Cayenne Tips
Posted by Amy (Southbury, Ct) on 08/10/2013
★★★★★

I found that drinking cayenne pepper using a straw makes it go down faster with less burn and it keeps the lips from burning afterwards. I also bite down on a lemon wedge right after. I suck the juices and eat the pulp of the lemon. This helps a ton if you have heat issues.


Cayenne Tips
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 05/06/2013
★★★★★

Cayenne I always use the stuff from the spice isle at the supermarket. Otherwise you could grow some in pots.


Cayenne Tips
Posted by Jake (Raliegh, Nc) on 02/17/2012
★★★★★

Mix the cayenne pepper with tomato juice or vegetable juice. It goes down much easier than mixing it with water.



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