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.
Cysts
Posted by Matt (Springfield, USA) on 03/27/2007
★★★★★
Hello, I have almost a cure for a Pilonidal cyst. The reason I say almost is it will come back in usually about 10 months to a year, and then you will need to repeat the steps again. I came across it from another person who has suffered from this health problem and has been through many surgeries with no help. I myself have been through one surgery in which the cyst came back a year later. The cure is to put cayenne pepper mixed with water in the sinus opening of the cyst for 3-4 days straight using an eye dropper with a narrow end. The solution should be 1 heaping teaspoon of pepper in a cup of water used over the 3-4 day period. This does sting quite a bit for the first minute or two after the pepper is injected but subsides afterwards. Note: you will probably need someone to do it for you to really get the solution in the sinus. I've read this works because the sting of the pepper brings a rush of white blood cells to the area, not sure if that is true or not, but it worked for me. Of course check with your doctor before doing anything. I'd also be interested if anyone else has found other ways to deal with this issue.
Cysts
Posted by Deborah (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/28/2010
I'm 52 years old and had Pilonidal cyst for years, didn't get the recommended surgery. I began taking the B Vitamin complex vitamins for more energy and vitality, I noticed that my Pilonidal cysts disappeared and stayed gone for 15 years because I love the B vitamins and always take them. Now after not having a cyst for 15 years it came back when I was diagonosed with Diabetes. At the health food store I was told the medicine I was taking for diabetes depletes your body of the B vitamins, so I increased my B vitamins, particulary B 6 and sure enough no more Pilonidal cysts!
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?
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
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 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~
General Feedback
Posted by Brendan (Thailand) on 10/17/2014
Would appreciate if someone could clarify if any chili pepper would do as well as cayenne or does it need to be cayenne in particular? Thanks
General Feedback
Posted by Joy (Thailand) on 10/18/2014
Hi Brendan re. Cayenne pepper.This is available all over Thailand and I buy mine dried in the markets or in Makro Tesco and most stores; hope this helps as chilli is ok but not quite the same as the lovely red large cayenne.
General Feedback
Posted by Raniya (Ny, US) on 04/06/2015
No, they are completely 2 different things
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)
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Bee (New York, US) on 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.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Whisperingsage (N California) on 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 Bee (New York) on 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.....
Cayenne Recipes
Posted by dave (uk) on 04/26/2024
★★★★★
Yes I take cayenne with raw/unroasted cocoa . its amazing!!
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.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Wanda (Spring, Texas) on 10/04/2021 33 posts
You can buy cayenne in capsules at most health food stores.
Liquid Cayenne
Posted by Peter (Los Angeles, Ca) on 03/01/2015
American Botanical Pharmacy sells a cayenne tincture rated at 250,000 Heat Units. I've been taking it on and off for years.
Cayenne Pepper Side Effects
Posted by Cameron (Brisbane, Qld, Australia) on 02/05/2012
I have started taking Cayenne Pepper, I do not know the strength and have a question for some one who knows a bit about it.
I am taking 1/2 a tsp in hot water, straight after taking it my Blood Pressure is going to 150 90 and my pulse over 90. It varies but I am very concerned, I feel dizzy as I write this and and will take my blood pressure again then go and lie down.
Can anyone tell me if this is typical, does it stop some time after getting used to taking it?
My normal BP is 127/75 and pulse between 64 and 72.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Nicole (Melbourne, Australia) on 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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Nan (OR) on 02/07/2021
Your post was so encouraging. I've had eczema in my ears for over 20 years - constant awful itching and scaling. You mentioned cayenne for eczema. Is that helped by ingesting it? Surely not applying it topically (ouch). Would appreciate knowing, if possible. Thank you.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/10/2011
Cayenne pepper drops? Where do you buy that? Here we only have it in powder!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Kelly (Cambridge, Ma) on 08/10/2011
They don't sell Tabasco sauce in France?? They must. It's been around forever and ever.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/10/2011
Thanks, I thought you meant some kind of Cayenne drops from the pharmacy or something.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/10/2011
Just one more question, sorry but what do you mean by Taper Off? Not an expression we use over here so I am not sure of the meaning. I looked online and it seems to mean "decrease" so do you mean that with the time one add less Tabasco drops?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, La. Usa) on 08/10/2011
Not trying to be picky, but cayenne pepper is different than tabasco pepper they make the famous sauce with. (just down the road from me. ) It may or may not matter though.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/11/2011
Blanche, you got me all mixed up now! What we need is the answer from the person who came up with the idea of using Cayenne pepper drops for health purposes. It is a pity this site still hasn't the possibility to contact the people concerned and get the answers we need. Also a pity that people aren't more precise about the treatments they purpose because this way one doesn't know what to do or can even do the wrong thing. Let's hope the person comes back and answers our questions!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 08/11/2011
Blanche - The original poster cited Tabasco sauce as what they used for their results.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Helpyourself (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 08/11/2011
About Tabasco recipe...
By taper off I mean follow the recipe for a few weeks, cut back to once per week and then stop and take as needed. Everything in moderation. That's how I do it. Don't want to burn my intestines or anything else and when I need it my body reacts to it in a positive way.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 08/11/2011
Thank you Helpyourself from Houston for clearing up the confusion regarding tabasco sauce and the cayenne pepper drops. I'll have to pick up that tiny bottle of tabasco next time I go shopping and try your recipe. I'm so glad it has only three ingredients and no preservatives. Cheers! Bess
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?
Joints
Posted by Sunrose (North Hollywood, Ca) on 09/13/2010
★★★★★
I would say absolutely YES on cayenne. Having worked for Dr. Richard Schulze, he uses cayenne in most every tonic, including his Deep Tissue Oil. You can buy cayenne in bulk (the hotter the better) and add to an oil base.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Wanda (Memphis, Tn) on 07/02/2010
★★★★★
Cayenne Pepper suggestion: I started using cayenne for weight loss but love the way I immediately feel energized when I take it. I like covering it with cottage cheese but have stumbled across another way to take them by making my own cayenne pills. I bought empty Gelatin Capsules at a health food store and filled them with cayenne. The easiest way I found was to line up capsules on painters tape then, put another piece of painters tape on top of the capsules. This will keep them straight but you can fold them. Hold them over a pyrex dish and pour the cayenne all over them. You can tap them down several times and pour more until they are full. It's pretty easy to get the tops of the capsules on and beats trying to fill one at a time. Watch out for breathing the dust. You might want to use gloves or just be careful to keep your hands washed between working with the capsules.
Cayenne Vs. Chili Peppers
Posted by Blanche (New Iberia, Louisiana) on 01/05/2010
I'm not Ted, I hope it's OK to post an answer.Where I live we grow a lot of hot peppers, even in our home gardens. The tabasco pepper is a very small pepper, used commercially to make Tabasco sauce. The cayenne that we grow is larger (up to about 6 inches long. The cayenne is used mainly to make ground red pepper for seasoning. It is the one used in Cajun seasoning, and is used to season just about all our food before cooking.
Wikipedia states that the cayenne is related to the jalapenos, the bell peppers, and other peppers.
It is possible that any of the hot peppers that is grown wherever one lives will work as well as cayenne pepper. I would certainly try whatever I had on hand if I were you. (And let us know.)
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Cecilia (Atlanta, Georgia ) on 03/06/2009
★★★★★
In order to avoid severe coughing while gargling with cayenne pepper (red pepper) in tempered water you need to breath deeply, hold your breath, take a sip of cayenne pepper, gargle, spit the mix and breath normal.
Gargling this way you avoid breathing through your mouth when you are sipping the mix and the dry cayenne powder doesn't get into your through.
Also, when the throat and larynx are irritated it is better not to swallow a lot of the mix so just swallow what is left in your spit after spitting the mix. It has worked wonderfully for me!
Neutropenia
Posted by Barbara (Manchester, Uk) on 07/10/2011
I have neutropenia (low neutrophils), I have read on this forum that shark liver oil and lithium help, has anyone experienced and positive inreases.... PLEASE any advice would be helpful.....
Neutropenia
Posted by George (Melbourne, Vic) on 11/28/2011
I was taking shark liver oil for about 7 months but have stopped as I believe it caused me watery eyes, but I do believe it helped me with low neutrophils. I also take AHCC which I believe has helped me tremendously. I also have a glass of honey with garlic every morning and I believe that has helped me as well for low neutrophils...
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Anna (Philadelphia, PA) on 05/15/2009
★★★★★
it works great that way! I feel so warm and full of energy! (But it may be SPRING not a drink...)
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Brittany (Lake Wylie, South Carolina) on 03/02/2008
I actually haven't tried the cayenne pepper yet, but am sure it will work. I'm more concerned with what people are using to take the heat away afterwards... You should use sugar. It absorbs the heat. Bread probably works too, but not as much. Milk, just like water, spreads it around even more and will probably upset your stomach, especially if you try lemon with any of the remedies. So bottom line, use sugar not milk or water.
Warning for Diabetics
Posted by John (Panama City, FL) on 01/20/2008
★★★★★
Someone offered this advice to hunters (and anyone else looking to keep their feet warm): sprinkle cayenne in your socks. It DOES work. However, DIABETICS BE WARNED: you should be careful using any topical treatment which provides heat, be it medicinal or homeopathic (this includes cayenne, IcyHot or similar items, electric heating pads, etc.). Because diabetics often suffer from poor circulation and skin issues, using such items can produce burning, and since diabetics often do not heal as quickly, this can become a serious medical issue.
Weight Loss
Posted by Ani (Redwood City, Ca) on 12/13/2009
Hi Carol,
You were saying that your husband was using cayenne pepper to lose weight. Did he succeed and is he still taking it?
Also I have a question for everybody: Does the cayenne pepper have to be a particular kind? I see someone wrote that he is taking 100000 heat, what does that mean? Thank you
P.S. I have been drinking apple cider vinegar and it has totally cured my arthritis. Miracle site, thank you everyone.
Weight Loss
Posted by C (Maize, Ks) on 04/18/2010
Usually STU is a form of measuring how hot the cayenne pepper is that you are taking, it is safe when you first start taking it to start with 30,000 - 50,000 STU You can buy Cayenne Fruit Pills really cheap :) Hope this helps
Crohn's Disease
Posted by Shannon (Kansas City, MO) on 10/05/2006
★★★★☆
I have suffered from chronic diarrhea for sixteen years due to having Crohn's disease. I read on your site about using cayenne pepper for this. I went and bought cayenne pepper capsules and it is working great. I am concerned though that this may cause ulcers? Also, I have a colonoscopy scheduled soon and the bottle says to stop taking two weeks before surgery. I am wondering if that would apply to my procedure as well. I also wonder why I should stop taking it before surgery.
Crohn's Disease
Posted by Bane (Bg, Serbia) on 08/25/2009
Broad Benefits
Posted by John (Pennsylvania) on 02/18/2015
Myrrh is also good for the gums.
Inner Ear Infection
Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 05/11/2009
go to youtube and check out Epley maneuver for vertigo. would grapefruit seed extract help in the healing process? please don't use as ear drops!
wishing you well
Crohn's Disease
Posted by Cat (San Diego, California) on 06/10/2008
Yes stop taking it 5 days before surgery, ask your Doctor., also anything that thins the blood, such as aspirin.
Cayenne Side Effects
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.
