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.
Heart Issues
Posted by Doris (Santa Ana, CA USA) on 04/08/2008
★★★★★
Had 2 slight heart attacks age 28 and 32. Scary one at age 34. Always felt so frail, tho ok health but high stress work and poor diet-sooo much coffee. At 38 yrs was electrocuted by faulty computer eqpmt, lost left-side arm use 1 and half to 2 yrs. During that 1 and half, at about 1 yr, strain from the injury caused a 30-second stroke. I watch clock, fully mentally ok, but was physically immobile entire time, couldn't breath, no heartbeat, nothing. Then it just stopped. I was SO weak always from then on. 3 yrs later married, had child, was always terribly tired. Read in heart surgery book about cayenne being able to stop even a heart attack while in progress. I take a pinch (1/4 tsp) cayenne in 4oz water 2 times wkly. Feel better with 5 minutes - energy stamina breathing is easier, circulation feels ramped up to normal. Still tire, not not as without cayenne. Never regained full strength or mobility from electr. injury but dexterity in fingers did return. Strength is still 3lbs., Best, not nearly so drag-out tired. Cayenne is great - in tomato juice or water. Only a pinch is needed. In V8 or regular tomato juice, cayenne goes easy. I put cayenne on hard boiled eggs, hot flavor hides well in grape or orange juice too. Has improved my cholesterol too.
Heart Issues
Posted by Jenny (Atlanta) on 01/25/2008
★★★★★
My husband used to take cayenne every morning and never got colds flu or any sicknesses. Cayenne is good for the heart, circulation etc and he got it from the Native Americans who take the extra strength (heat) powder and have a lot less heart problems. We used to make a shake every morning with cayenne, carrot ,celery, garlic and ginger. I can't say it tasted very good but he downed about a pint. Paradoxically he then stopped off at 711 for a flavored coffee -- ugh!
Sore Throat
Posted by Patrick (Conowingo, Maryland) on 07/17/2007
★★★★★
Hello, I've been visiting your site for a while, but I would like to be added to the "YEA'S" on a few home remedies.
Cayenne Pepper for Sore Throat. This is how I first found your site. Nothing is worse than a sore throat, last year I had a killer sore throat with no other symptoms. After reading about cayenne pepper I decided to gargle it. Gargling a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in about 6 oz of warm water every couple of hours did a great job of healing my sore throat really quickly. However it was really nasty and made me dry heave a couple times. I just discovered a new sore throat yesterday. This time I am simply warming up about a cup of water in the microwave, adding some honey for taste, and dashing in a good amount of cayenne pepper (3-4 dashes). I am not gargling with it, because I'm just not good at gargling, So I let each sip sit in the back of my mouth a bit and then I swallow it. It actually taste pretty good. It's like tea with a little kick!
Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne. My wife has always had trouble spots for acne right on her cheek next to her ears. Apple Cider Vinegar is the only thing that has had a real effect. She applies it once or twice a day, with a cotton ball. Great results. We also just received Apple Cider Vinegar capsule that we can take to avoid drinking it. They are available at GNC, but we order them online for cheaper.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Sunburn. I recently went boating and got sunburn on both my ankles from sitting funny. When I got home both ankles seemed to have about the same amount of burn, however the right ankle was hurting me slightly more at the time. I decided to try an experiment. I applied Apple Cider Vinegar to only my right ankle and left the left ankle untreated. I simply applied Apple cider vinegar with a Cotton ball 2 or 3 times a day. After the first night, my right ankle was in a great deal less pain than my left ankle. I kept applying it to my right ankle and by the second day there was no pain at all, while my left ankle was severely painful and sensitive to touch. I stopped applying apple cider vinegar to my right ankle after about 3 days because it just didn't hurt. My left ankle continued to hurt until day 7 when it the skin started peeling. The skin on my right ankle did not start peeling until day 9. Everyone should try this to convince themselves that Apple Cider Vinegar really works!
High Blood Pressure
Posted by Tameka (Glen Burnie, MD) on 01/23/2006
★★★★★
For High Blood Pressure, I have tried the Cayenne Pepper and Golden Seal capsules. I would generally take two in the morning and 2 in the evening. Worked pretty good. I also have tried the apple cider vinegar and that works well too. 2 to 3 tsp 3 times a day did it for me.
High Blood Pressure
Posted by Lisa (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ)
★★★★★
I luv to share this. I was told as a 40-something African Amer woman, that I was borderline hypertensive and put on meds. Not good. I was falling asleep. Also no good to cut the dose -- comatose.
A friend told me about a folk remedy - cayenne pepper. She said it needed to be organic cayenne- it's stronger, I guess. I am now over 50 and my pressure is usually in the range of 110/70.
I do take a 12mg. water pill to keep me from retaining water also. I started with @1/4 tsp (of cayenne) in any liquid you want 2x a day. If needed, you can up this to 1/2 tsp but do this slowly so your body can adjust to the increase.
Now I do watch my salt intake but I only use the cayenne when I have had a particularly salty dish.
Cayenne vs Water
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 09/18/2024 533 posts
★★★★★
I've been rereading all of my reference material on cayenne and was going through the earthclinic material when it finally stuck me - cayenne is more often than not, being used to overcome critical issues that arise from chronic
dehydration by interrupting the body's attempts to ration water to where it is needed most. Which makes sense because it increases blood circulation, system-wide, whether you are hydrated or not BUT..
...if you're chronically dehydrated - as most people are - then your body is constantly in "emergency mode" and continuously rationing water to protect critical functions.
Cayenne is a Godsend BUT if you keep using it to overrule your body in its attempts to properly ration what little water it is able to extract and distill from the foods you eat and the non-water crap you're drinking in order to protect your critical systems and keep you alive in the face of your refusal to drink plain water...what do you think is going to happen?
If you have indigestion? Then you are well and truly dehydrated - and have been for quite some time - and you're almost certainly malnourished due to the foods caked on and blocking the inside of your digestive tract due to the body having to suck the water out of it just to get enough to keep you conscious and your heart, liver and kidneys functioning for as long as possible.
Drink your damn water, people! Get your phone, open your clock, click on timer", set it for 1 hour and start it. Every time it goes off during your waking hours, drink a half cup of water and restart the timer. Or start with even just a quarter cup of water. Not juice, not tea, not so-called "Smart" water - Just plain, cold water.
Or don't - it's up to you - 100% your choice - but understand that under such circumstances, cayenne can only function as a stopgap by taking down your body's defense of rationing what little water it can steal from your gut - probably by sucking it out through the holes in the caked on matter in your gut - holes that are almost certainly created by parasites that are almost certainly drilling those holes and, thereby, keeping you upright and conscious - I.e. alive and conscious enough to get you to a watering hole.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Rena (Georgia) on 11/20/2022
★★★★★
Thank you Frank, this helps with my boyfriend's ED. He is on several medications that contribute to Erectile Dysfunction. He has been taking one capsule in the morning, and one capsule at night. Ever since, you would never know he had a problem in that area. Cayenne pepper is the fountain of youth for men.
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by Unsure (Northridge, Ca.) on 03/31/2017
Has anyone mixed cayenne pepper capsules with butcher's broom capsules? About a month ago, I started taking herbal supplements to not only improve my poor circulation, but also help with my 9 year edema issues. I have been on prescription diuretics from various doctors. None of them were getting to the root of the matter so I started taking at first Dandelion leaf capsules. No difference, then the parsley leaf with the cayenne capsules. (only one in the a.m. & then one in the p.m.) I am on heartburn medication also. I did notice some differences with the swelling of my ankles with the parsley. But I finished the bottle & started yesterday on the butchers broom.
Now I'm having chest pain like squeezing/sharp only on the left side of chest. But it comes & goes. When I take the cayenne & butchers broom capsules in the a.m. I don't have the chest pain.? Why only at night? I'm also on high blood pressure Prescription meds, also on high cholresterol, lasix, one for joint pain, one for thyroid, I just read an article that says don't take butchers broom if you have high blood pressure! I also am experiencing back of head pain but it to subsided. I'm done with the butchers broom! Will order the apple cider vinegar capsules next.
Will let you know how that goes!
Ulcers
Posted by Gareth Arthur (Northampton, United Kingdom) on 07/02/2012
★★★★★
Great site EarthClinic, what about a must have box of basics that every house should have and a list of wholesome foods to compliment them, when required they would hopefully be at hand, ie. Cayenne pepper, acv, garlic, manuka etc. Nb. My own yea! Was cayenne pepper sorting a tummy ulcer in3 weeks, no antibiotics needed, wow! Thanks to your goodselves and reader input. Gareth, northants uk
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 02/06/2012
Hi Cameron, I got a fright the first time I took my bp (20mins) after taking cayenne as it was already raised and I had expected it to start to go down but found it was higher than before taking it. In about 2 hrs it was ok. I have tested it on 2 other occasions when my bp was normal before taking the cayenne and it rose a bit both times but within approx hour it was back to normal. I never had the dizzy feeling that you've had.
Make sure you have a good quality cayenne as some time back there were reports of colouring being added to some cayenne batches. If you have some tabasco sauce add a few drops to water and see how you go with that.
Cayenne Recipes
Posted by Kenny (Paducah Ky, Kentucky Usa) on 01/04/2012
I agree with the one comment just take it like you're supposed to. I take a teaspoon 90.000 units with water or v8... Hot sauce in a bottle has sodium. (as does v8) anyway as the saying goes, don't be sissy, take it like a man.
Cayenne Recipes
Posted by Belady (Somewhere In, Or) on 05/14/2012
★★★★★
Adding another tsp of turmeric makes for additional wellness..
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Usa) on 02/16/2011
★★★★★
Well, yes, cayenne IS very hot. The grocery store cayenne is fine. In fact, I find it is sometimes fresher than the prepacked capsules. A bright red color is good. Just don't get it into your eyes or even under your fingernails. And you may want to try a very small amount at first. Hope it works for you.
Inner Ear Infection
Posted by Karen (Los Angeles, CA, USA) on 05/10/2009
To: Better But Not Cured (and I'll add...yet!)
I'm not sure if this will help but I notice that when I use a Netti Pot with Sea Salt (must be sea salt, not regular salt) for my sinuses it opens up my ears as well. Also, at this site for cancer: http://www.curenaturalicancro.com/ one person wrote: "I've got a lump about the size of a quarter in the back of my neck. It's been there 2 years. It seems to be located at the bottom of my ear canal. I've been putting sodium bicarbonate mixed with water down my ear canal for a few days and the lump is shrinking. The doctors I went to wanted to cut it out and biopsy it. I said no thank you, I don't want it to spread. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your work. S. M." I've learned that are bodies need to be the proper pH. Perhaps this will help you. Good luck. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful benefits of cayenne that I'm just learning about. :)
Coughs
Posted by Denise (Atlanta, GA) on 09/20/2008
★★★★★
I was up night with a horrible cough. So my throat was on fire this morning. I mixed a little cayenne with ACV and warm water. And what can I say it works its a beautiful day out side and I am on my way to enjoy it.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Nina (San Diego, CA) on 03/07/2008
Cayenne pepper works, but in order to ease the hotness, I just use orange juice. Put an 1/8 of a teaspoon in a glass of orange juice, and drink it. Make sure the oj has pulp in it, the cayenne will bond to the pulp, and it won't burn your mouth at all! I have been using this method for years. And DON'T use milk to "ease the hotness" when you're sick- avoid dairy products.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Pat (Coos Bay, OR) on 07/22/2007
★★★★★
thanks to this site i started cayenne pepper as a treatment for my hypothyroid issue. its been a few weeks and my metabolism has improved, my acid reflux and more energy. so glad i found you. thanks
Wounds
Posted by Jane (Poulsbo)
★★★★★
Applying powdered cayenne to a wound stops the bleeding within minutes! I've read that you can also take it to treat internal bleeding. I think the recipe is 1/4 teaspoon in a glass of tomato juice.
Sinus Congestion
Posted by Ray (VA)
★★★★★
Any time I am stuffed up, I add a little cayenne powder to my food and instantly my sinuses clear up! I also add cayenne to apple cider vinegar and water... that too is another good remedy for sinus congestion.
Best Type of Cayenne
Posted by Chris (Greenville) on 11/03/2016
Dave,
Are you extracting the cayenne in alcohol or glycerine or what? Could you explain what you mean by extracting with measurements? Thanks!
Best Type of Cayenne
Posted by Jan B. (Netherlands) on 09/28/2022
Do you make an extract with alcohol? What are the ratios?
Do you have a link to the PhD thesis?
Regards Jan
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 10/04/2021
Dear Wanda,
That is really cool!
~Mama to Many~
Broad Benefits
Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 08/26/2013
You don't have to go to South America to pickup a parasite. Salmonella, E-coli, c-difficile are very common and prevalent in Ontario, Canada. If you just walking inside the kitchen of any restaurant or food court you can see how they maintain. Also, foods are cooked and served for more than 4 days.
Hope you heard the news about epic burger contamination in Toronto: http://o.canada.com/2013/08/23/cronut-burger-toronto-public-health
Parasites are everywhere.
Good Health
Concussions
Posted by Cayenne619 (San Diego, Ca, San Diego) on 05/25/2012
★★★★★
I been using the cayenne brand from Smart & Final. Which is a deep dark red cayenne 2 to 3 times a day for 4 years.
My goals is not only for health benefits but to block the sciatic pain used to have from (shoulder & hip) old dislocations.
The reason writing this is April 17, 2012 was involved in an electric skateboard accident. I am 48 years old and was not wearing a helmet. I hit my head at 24 mph. I hit my head 2 more times while trying to stabilize myself before EMT arrived. Yes, I know not very bright without a helmet.
The hospital did a CT Scan there was no blood on the brain. I received 5 stitches in eyebrow, sprain my wrist and took a layer skin off my shoulder underneath my shirt.
My shoulder healed in 2 weeks complete with a new tan, my wrist healed in 5 weeks, you can't even see the stitches in my eyebrow. I didn't even get a black eye at all. I had a little dizziness for about my last 3 weeks with nausea and feeling of wanting to vomit.
I upped my dosage of cayenne along with 2 plain aspirin twice a day. Today, 5 weeks later had a severe headache located on the lower back part of my head that lasted 2 to 3 minutes. Afterwards my dizziness had completely vanished.
I feel 99% healed from my post concussion accident in 5 weeks. I believe it was cayenne powder for my speedy recovery for my traumatic state.
Concussions
Posted by Blwalk75 (Dallas, Tx) on 09/30/2016
Hello and thanks for that remarkable story, glad for your recovery results. Please tell me how you took the cayenne 2 to 3 times a day. Thanks!
Cayenne Recipes
Posted by Rejjie (Derry, Nh) on 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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Wanda (Spring, TX) on 10/04/2021 42 posts
I believe the man who started the Nature's Sunshine herbal company way back in early 70's is the one who gave his wife capsulated cayenne pepper because she was dying of some heart disease that the doctors told her she had no time left. You might Google that story.
