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.
Veins, Complexion, Eyes
Posted by Mellisa (Madison Wi) on 08/24/2014
★★★★★
My experience with cayenne in my twenties at 6 capsules per day was that my veins started protruding out of my arms it looked as if I was a body builder even though I had no excercise regimen. My complexion skin color went from a white to a more cinnamon tone. My eyes looked much brighter. I'm taking the same amount 6 capsules per day in my fifties now for a chi blockage. Diagnosed by an acupuncturist. The acupuncturist did not prescribe cayenne. I'm taking it because I crave hot spicy foods and think that's just what my body probably needs.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Alex (Australia) on 07/09/2014
★★★★★
I find drinking cayenne pepper tea (a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in hot water) helps to relieve hypnic jerks. Info on Cayenne pepper and all its benefits is just a google search away but it helps regulate blood pressure and is awesome for heart health. I had hypnic jerks last night for the first time in months and tried cayenne pepper tea (which you can also have with green tea and a dash of cinnamon or lemon etc - see many online recipes) - and I was DELIGHTED to see it eased my hypnic jerking when drifting off to sleep almost immediately after getting back to bed and tying to fall asleep!
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 03/28/2014 2048 posts
Jeanne: I see no problems w/ the BSM & Cayanne. Two herbs which to avoid during this drug treatment is Gingko biloba and White Willow as they are considerd "blood thinners".
Cayanne & Ginger work together very well to assist in improving circulation which reduces the risk of blood clotting stroke.
Omega 3 fats like Fish & Flax oil are recommended for keeping the blood thin but are considered "mild" anticoagulants and very much indicated in cardiovascular conditions.
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by Jeanne (Westlock Alberta) on 03/27/2014
Can a person do natural treatments such as cayenne and molasses if they are being treated by a doctor for blood clot in the right lung and the right leg with warfarin or other anticoagulant drugs? Is it too risky?
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 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...
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Caitlin (Austin Texas) on 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
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 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?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Silent Prayer Herbal Center (Jamaica W.i.) on 11/23/2013
★★★★★
Cayenne Pepper is a wonderful spice, it's not only great for sinus problems
It helps to protect the heart, it has the ability to stop a heart attack or stroke instantly. this is personal experience that a friend whom I introduced Cayenne pepper to had with her older sister.
This is the experience.
One morning at the breakfast table she noticed her sister stuttering and, in a few seconds she saw her face sort of twisting one of the indication of a stroke or heart attack, she immediately ran and got some cayenne pepper put it in her mouth and in a minute or so her sister was back to normal.
She then took her to the doctor only to find out that she suffered a stroke and if it had not been for the application of Cayenne Pepper she might have died or suffered permanent brain damage.
Cayenne Pepper is also one of the best spice for weight loss, in fact this is Beyonce's favorite. It helps to reduce weight while protecting the heart.
Cayenne Pepper works real well for Arthritis: Poor circulation, High Blood pressure and more.
I have been using Cayenne Pepper for years and I can testify to the wonderful healing properties of Cayenne Pepper.
Just a few days ago I feel my head start hurting, I remembered that the Capsaicin in cayenne Pepper is good for pain, I just ran for the Cayenne Pepper placed some under my tongue and in a few minutes the pain was gone.
Cayenne Pepper is awesome, but since it also takes out toxin from the system as well hot, one must drink plenty water so as not to cause kidney damage.
Just use natural herbs and spices wisely and you'll be OK.
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
Broad Benefits
Posted by Robert (Ontario) on 08/25/2013
★★★★★
I took a big teaspoon of ceyenne pepper in water once daily for two days for heart palpitations. It cured my acid problem. I can now enjoy green onions again. I must have picked up a parasite in Central or South America or Dominican Republic.
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.
Wounds
Posted by Badwolf (Langley, Il) on 08/05/2013
★★★★★
Today I cut the tip of my index finger and a bit of my nail off while cutting a watermelon. The wound isn't that deep maybe about 1/4 inch at the very most. Anyways, after 30 minutes the bleeding was still flowing. So, I decided to hop on to Earthclinic to do some research!
I decided to try using Cayenne Pepper on my wound after hearing so many good reviews. So, I dumped a good amount on CP on my wound and waited 10-15 seconds. The bleeding stopped and sort of cauterized right before my eyes. It was pretty cool!!
I allowed the CP to "soak" into the wound for about 5 minutes and then I added a bit of organic raw honey on top. I then wrapped the finger with some gauze and tape.
Before using the CP I cleaned my wound with rubbing alcohol which stung and hurt way more then the CP. When I put the CP on the wound it did create a burning sensation but that slowly faded into a nice warm feeling.
I have read to leave the bandage on for 1-2 days. Depending on how my finger looks I might use the CP again. I did read that the cayenne pepper will help dry the wound out which allows for faster healing.
I love this website and I will definitely update again in the next few days or weeks.
Cayenne Recipes
Posted by Ms (Cville, Ky) on 07/21/2013
I've just started using the cayenne powder/spice today. After trying 1 teaspoon in warm water, I'm gonna take a lesson from the Aztecs and start drinking mine in Hot Cocoa. This way I'll be able to look forward to it everyday cuz I LOOOOOOOVE CHOCOLATE!!! I found my cayenne at the Amish store, so it should be fine. The Amish are very smart about what they put in their bodies. Evidently, the Aztecs were pretty smart people also. Hope this helps someone. Big thanks to everyone on this site that's continually helpin' me : )
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 Side Effects
Posted by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 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.
Cayenne Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 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.
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.
Heart Issues
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippinesla Union) on 03/15/2013
Hi Mark... Your father fainted probably because of the low blood pressure caused by the cayenne.
Heart Issues
Posted by Mark (Newton Abbot, Devon, Uk) on 03/14/2013
Just a quick update with regards my father in law who had the stroke after starting on cayenne pepper (originally the ambulance staff suggested a stroke)
A week or so after my first warning post my father in law had another stroke/funny turn!, but according to the attending Dr he only fainted (on both occasions) and did not have a stroke, it makes me think the pepper lowered his already normal blood pressure even more or at the very least caused some form of extreme light headedness, this happened upon waking in the morning on both occasions. Anyhow he is recovering pretty well all things considered, he still takes a little pepper daily and he can now walk again, albeit a little wobbly.
Liquid Cayenne
Posted by Jerry (Davis, Il) on 02/04/2013
I'm looking for liquid cayenne 250,000 heat units.
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.
Hemorrhaging
Posted by Cate (Sacramento, California) on 12/18/2012
★★★★★
Deeper research yet would show that Cayenne is a blood thinner UNTIL oxygen comes into the equation. Once that happens coagulation is the opposing result. I could get very scientific in my explanation but for those of you confused as to how it can accomplish both, study harder yet...
Heart Issues
Posted by Kathy (Ontario, Nv) on 11/01/2012
The same thing happened to my mother in law. I gave her tea with 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper and ACV and 15 minutes later she had a stroke! She is OK now but I felt and still do feel very badly.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Teelight (Toronto) on 10/31/2012
Cristy I got the same exact reaction also after swallowing the cayenne capsules. 15min after taking, I started sweating buckets (yay! That part's ok) and debilitating stomach pain (not ok -- at all). But the episode passed after about 10 min. I came on here looking for answers and it makes sense that digestion begins in the mouth and our stomachs need a warning signal for spicy substances. No more hiding the cayenne in capsules, I shall open them up and dissolve in water. This makes much more sense, and seems to be the solution, thanks a bunch.
Heart Issues
Posted by Mark (Newton Abbot, Devon Uk) on 10/31/2012
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
CAYENNE PEPPER WARNING- My 80 year old father in law recently had neck surgery to replace 2 discs that had trapped his nerves, he was becoming paralysed, he lost his bladder control and had to have a bag and catheter fitted, on removal the doc notice that his prostrate was hard and enlarged, We recommended that he start on cayenne pepper slowly and build up over a few weeks, the hope is that pepper should improve his blood circulation which will help his nerves heal quicker as well as de-clog his prostrate that was probably blocked from the catheter and poor flow, well he loves curry and all things hot so took quite a lot from the start, after 10 days or so my wife received a phone call from her mother saying her father had had a stroke! He was ok but it had set his recovery back (from nerve damage) a few weeks, when I quizzed him about the pepper he confessed to liking it and taking a lot more than suggested, (more than ½ tsp. 2 x daily) he just can't taste it like most do! It was a pretty hot one too, not a cheap store bought.
Any how, he has had 2 heart attacks and a quadruple bypass many , many years ago ( even though he is has never smoked and was a keen athlete! ) I suspect he is a little clogged up and the pepper acted to unblock him just a little too quickly removing all sorts of nasty stuff from his arteries and possible causing the stroke? he has resumed the pepper but at a pinch daily with the aim of increasing slowly over the weeks, fingers crossed this time, ironically cayenne is touted to stop strokes!
The lesson here is if you are just starting on cayenne pepper don't take the whole jar in one go! Build up slowly- its powerful stuff!
Ulcers
Posted by Mark (Newton Abbot, Devon, Uk) on 10/31/2012
★★★★★
Cayenne does indeed heal ulcers.
Mine were caused after injuring my back and taking ibuprofen, the ulcers came on a few months after them. I tried cabbage, pine nut oil, oats etc. etc., these things helped a little but none of them were able to get me back to my previous perfect health.
At first I was a little unsure about taking cayenne as I thought it wold burn and make things far worse, but this turned out not to be the case,
The little jar of shop bought cayenne had been sat in the spice cupboard beckoning me for weeks, eventually, after months of ulcer discomfort I was forced to act, I only took about an 1/8 tsp. 2 -3 times daily.
I noticed improvements after day 1, about a week or 10 days later my pain and discomfort had all gone and has never returned.
I still take a pinch daily for its health benefits, it also cured my coccyx pain after my back injury.
Mood Enhancer
Posted by Bow Rain (Portland, Oregon) on 10/18/2012
★★★★★
I've been having the same experience for about 10 days now. I started taking cayenne to help me knick some "under the weather" feelings that were going around the office. Coworkers were feverish, phlegmy, etc and I wanted no part of it. Goodness me, my mood has gone through the roof! I seriously went to journal today because I don't remember any of the things I was so upset about, ha. It's like the pattern of inconsistent moods has been completely interrupted... My mind just doesn't go there. I don't suffer from depression but I haven't felt this consistently jovial and energetic outside of times when I was working out every single day. It's fantastic and I feel so alert and even-keeled.
Wounds
Posted by Lisa (Vancouver, Wa) on 09/27/2012
★★★★★
Praise God 4 Cayenne Pepper... I accidently cut a 1/4"W x 1/2"L chunk out of my pinky... Without constriction it steadily Bled & wouldn't stop... Even 18 hours later.
I took 3 450mg 40,000HU CP capsules... Checked 1 hour later & It Stopped... Saved me $400 at urgent care!!
Now I just have to figure out how 2 get the bandage unstuck from the wound & find some "pixie Dust" to regrow my finger...
Ulcers
Posted by Sam (Portland, Oregon) on 07/03/2012
★★★★★
Absolutly true! Cayenne pepper does heal ulcers. As does Manuka honey and sea- buckthorn oil (the real one).
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