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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Alice (New Fairfield, Connecticut) on 09/11/2008
★★★★★
Cayenne pepper really does work for sore throats! I have been using this remedy for quite a few months now and it works everytime. It does require doses throughout the day but stick with it. My suggestion is to put 1/8 teaspoon of it into a shot glass (2tbsp) of water and down the hatch...it is not going to taste great so get it down as quickly as possible and be done with it is my motto. My 8 year old daughter can down it like a pro and after a few times could even gargle a little in the throat. Have a glass of something (gingerale takes the heat right off for us) to chase it with and be amazed. Cayenne is also a miracle for cuts that won't stop bleeding. It had worked several times for us. Just wash the cut out in water and put a thick paste of it over the wound and cover with a bandage. It does not burn the cut!!! In fact the first time I tried it the wound hurt after I washed it off too soon. Back to sore throats...Apple Cider vinegar works also but my daughter can't tolerate that so we stick to this one...I do both for good meaasure.
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...
Hemorrhaging
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 09/29/2022
★★★★★
Old West frontier herbalists doctors would use cayenne pepper to save people from gunshot wounds. Mixed with water in the form of a 'tea', and given orally to the victim. In most cases, by the time the herbalist would count to ten, the bleeding would stop.
Infections
Posted by Vince (Philadelphia) on 12/13/2006
★★★★★
Cayenne pepper has cured all the infections I have tried it on, even sinus or intestinal ones. Some people seem to be more sensitive whether on their skin or internally. I saw a guy on a travel show and ate hot peppers in Mexico, and 2 hrs later he said he was still burning.
Only problem that hot pepper gives me is that I will hiccup if it is too hot, or I eat too much at once. It must send my esophagus into spasms, but they don't last long and eating bread will stop them or the burning in my mouth. I was really concerned when I wanted to try it up my nose for completely blocked sinuses, but I was desperate, so I diluted it a Lot more than I would gargle with, and had the phone handy to call 911, to call the fire dept, to have them put a hose up my nose.)) I thought hard about the risks, but never heard any warnings, even for putting in the eyes for eye problems. It will burn, and I have gotten some in my eyes, but the burn doesn't last. Inhaling the dry, powdered pepper will make you sneeze like Never before.
Anyone worried about using hot pepper should do a search. There is a lot of info and products for sale, even for the sinuses. I even cured a urinary tract infection in 2 days. There I boiled the cayenne and salt which I always add to the mix, and think it helps, and it Tastes better.) I boiled the mix to get whatever does the curing, capsaicin, oils, or what, into solution, since I didn't think the pepper particles would get to or go through my bladder.
Whenever there is a problem whether infection or pain, just try to figure how to get the cayenne to the site, or even like the bronchial tubes. It will draw heat to the site, increasing blood flow and blood and the lymph fluid in us carries white cells, that does healing. They sell Mustard plasters that do the same things, and they have been around for ages. Vince F
Muscle Strains and Pains
Posted by Vince (Phila, PA) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★
I make up a plaster with cayenne and salt to cure muscle strains and pains.
I wet a paper towel and sprinkle just a little of both on it, and apply.
The salt is rough being crystals, and irritates the skin a bit, so I make a saline solution and wet the paper towel with that. The cayenne may irritate some people's skin, but it is used for irritated skin, so isn't a big problem.
I even heard of using it on sunburn.) It usually takes 20min to cure pains or strains. I once had a really strained back and leg. The back came from working under a car, laying on concrete, and the leg was sciatica from sitting on a wooden bench after it.
My back hurt from my neck to my foot, and my thigh would hurt SO bad I could only walk about 75' before I had to sit down. I decided to do the cayenne plaster, and I was SO bad I felt I had to really heat it up. I used a piece of paper/plastic drop cloth, since I was going to add a heating pad, and didn't want it to dry out or wet the pad. I cut a piece to reach from my neck to my butt, applied it and heated it up. The regular plaster usually only needs to stay in place till the heat of the cayenne dissipates.
I kept this on a while longer, and after I removed it the pain was gone.
Best Type of Cayenne
Posted by Dave G (Florida) on 11/02/2016
★★★★★
I get a pure organic Cayenne from amazon in powder form and extract from the powder pure form it takes 45 to 60 days to extract the the pure form with no additives and put it in a eye dropper bottle and add about 20 drops to a glass of infused citrus water and drink it with breakfast and have no side effects basically because alot of the companies mix crap with it as fillers even in their Tinctures as well. The formula was from a Herbologist who recieved her PHd and wrote a study and thesis about all the benifits using it. Would suggest you start out with 10 drops and work up to 20 once a day.
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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Helpyourself (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 08/09/2011
★★★★★
This stuff is amazing, Cayenne pepper. I have recommended this recipe to people with sinus, headaches, depression, empysema, sore throat, nausea, bacteria, coughing, toothache, and more... Try 20 drops of cayenne pepper (only use the Original Tabasco brand) in 4 oz. of water a couple times per week. Taper off, then take as needed.
Also, have a friend that took this for asbestosis and he swears by it.
Another friend takes this to sleep and quit taking his meds, say he doesn't need them. Cayenne is also an anti-inflammatory agent and is also an expectorant, good for the lungs and the blood.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Helpyourself (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 08/11/2011
★★★★★
I will try to clear up the confusion about Tabasco or cayenne pepper drops. Tabasco only has three ingredients: distilled vinegar, red pepper and salt. Other brands have many things added, don't like preservatives etc. Tabasco website lists cayenne pepper as the red pepper. I have tried others and the effect is not the same.
Again, the recipe is 20 drops of Tabasco in 4 oz. of water, a couple times a week, taper off and use as needed. Benefits are numerous.
Sore Throat
Posted by Peggy (Blairsville, GA) on 05/29/2009
★★★★★
I had a horrible sore throat and read on EC about using cayenne pepper. I actually had some of the full peppers. I got of cup of water, 3 chicken boullion cubes, and a couple of the peppers and heated it up in the microwave and drank this. It gave me immediate relief. Tasted like chicken soup (HOT!!) It did burn a little but a soothing kind of burn. I have told everybody about this. I know you can use Hot sauce, but I wanted to use the pepper pods. Thanks to EC and everyone that is trying to use herbal, natural remedies.
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.
Painful Feet
Posted by Richard (Winston Salem, North Carolina) on 06/23/2008
★★★★★
cayenne pepper rememdies: cayenne pepper foot baths will completely cure painful feet, although if you continue to work on hard floors the cure might need to be repeated every so often.
Also, cayenne pepper does wonders on hemorrhoids when mixed with an otc ointment (not vaseline). go very light on this one and be ready to wash it off yourself if you cant stand the burning. i've also tried cayenne pepper in a vaseline salve that i made on the cookstove that completely cured the bursitis in my shoulder.
Prevents Colds and Flu
Posted by Barbara (Baltimore, MD) on 12/26/2007
★★★★★
From infancy through childhood, teenage years, young and middle adulthood I have always been blessed with excellent health -- with one exception: I suffered from one cold and sore throat after another.
While none ever progressed to pneumonia, I would recover from one and then two weeks later feel the start of the next cold. Yet I have never smoked and have had excellent health habits.
For whatever reason, about 15 years ago I started to take 2-4 cayenne pepper capsules a day. A miracle occurred. Since then, I rarely contract a cold -- maybe one a year and not as severe as the ones I used to experience.
I can't laud the properties of cayenne enough. Be sure to swallow the capsule with enough liquid and you'll have no uncomfortable effect.
Sore Throat
Posted by Stacee (Rexburg, ID) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★
Wow! This works so well! I have spent the last 4 days in be with strep that even antibiotics hadn't seemed to help. I was taking everything I could think of to make it go away. My throat remained swollen and painful. After not being able to crawl out of bed for 4 days I drug myself to the computer and found this site.I tried your cayenne pepper remedy and it was instant relief! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! I can actually swallow now with out feeling like my head will explode. After not getting any sleep because of the pain I am looking forward to getting a full night of sleep. Thanks again for the great cure! PS the cayenne also worked on the migraine that I have had along with the strep, so I had 2 cures for the price of one!
Strep Throat
Posted by Penny (USA) on 02/01/2006
★★★★★
If it is too late, as in strep, it takes gargling with cayenne in water every fifteen minutes until it goes, and be patient, because it GOES.
I haven't had a sore throat take hold in 15 years or more, though many have tried to start up, which also is a way for many illnesses to sprout.
I generally will gargle cayenne in water at whatever strength I like and do it as much as I can until I tire of it, and then repeat every fifteen minutes, each time swallowing a tiny bit real slowly (not necessary).
It only stings the tongue a little when spitting out, otherwise, no discomfort, you can get used to even the swallowing part when you see how well it works.
I use the cheap Mex. stuff, but also keep on hand in refir the pesticide free stuff from health store.
Cayenne is a miracle cure for ulcers and so many other conditions, plus aids assimilation of nutrients and vitamins. I will keep cayenne in water in the bathroom in case I get up in the night, so I can gargle once in the night if I am very sick, but if it is in water, it will go bad quickly and needs to be put back in refridge in morning.
Afterwards suck on a clove (see below). I have never seen a sore throat that won't succumb to it.
Circulation
Posted by Ted (Bangkok) 392 posts
★★★★★
While ginger seems to restore energy in most cases, however I find capsicum powder (cayenne peppers) mixed with fresh ginger works the best as it helps with circulation. Especially works well if you are drowsy and raises oxygen level to those tiny capillaries which receives little or no blood flow. If you can find them, fresh ginger and fresh cayenne peppers (fine chopped) work the best due to higher bioflavanoid, vitamin P content, as well as vitamin C, etc.
When I need a good good circulation, I just eat the ginger, then the fresh cayenne peppers. The ratio is 50:50.
Of course, I don't expect anyone will do that, so just try getting a mortar and pestle and mix the fresh cayenne peppers and ginger. Try 1/4-1/2 teaspoon for each. Then either mix them in lemon and honey. I can't be too specific about the recipes. It depends on how well you can tolerate the hot taste of peppers. Fresh peppers worked the best.
If you find this too hard for the stomach, just take Vitamin B3, Niacin. That will get you on skin flushing and it works also, but differently. Cayenne peppers are more powerful and for the heart. While Niacin seems to be active on small capillary circulation on the skin. Niacin seems to reduce cholesterol and helps repair damage tissues (such as gum disease and heart circulation also).
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Cindy (Illinois. USA) on 09/10/2019 523 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.
Best Type of Cayenne
Posted by Gina (Austin, Texas) on 03/16/2021
★★★★★
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Wanda (Spring, Texas) on 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!
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 Tips
Posted by Mtusa007 (Missoula, Mt Usa) on 11/14/2011
★★★★★
I read where everyone is mixing with drinks etc, trying to kill the heat and taste or taking pills. I just cover my food with cayenne and love it. You get used to the heat very quickly and I use it at every meal, at least a teaspoon if not tablespoon, it's great in latte, red beer etc. If anything I over use it but I feel great, I always have a shaker of this pepper handy in my car, my suitcase, at work and camping.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Pat (Florida) on 09/20/2020
If you find your stomach upset, quickly take a charcoal capsule (or two) and it will probably subside very quickly. I ate way too much curry one day, my stomach went berserk - I took 2 charcoal tablets - discomfort gone in minutes!
Migraines
Posted by Deb (Melbourne , Australia) on 12/29/2010
★★★★★
I take a tspn of cayenne twice a day in hot water with my green tea, ACV and bicarb soda. You can't taste the ACV. I can feel the cayenne moving through my body and feel wonderful afterwards. I am trying to get rid of some varicous veins. Recently the cayenne stopped a migraine which I normally get for days in its tracks. Stop Bleeding Fast! One of natures best remedies for cuts (even deep punctures) is believe it or not: Cayenne Pepper! This wonderful plant can be grown and therefore no "factory" will be necessary. To use - apply liberally on wound. The wound will form a scab and heal much quicker than with even sutures and with no scarring.
From the book: Cayenne Pepper medicinal uses:
Major benefits - Stops Bleeding (internal or external), Heart attack, stroke, or Shock, Dissolves clots.
Minor Benefits - Reviving, Fainting, Dizziness, Weakness, Confusion.
PROPERTIES & ACTIONS: Stimulant (improves blood circulation), diaphoretic (increases perspiration), carminative (improves digestion), tonic (strengthens and energizes a particular body organ or the entire body system), sialogue (stimulates secretion of saliva), rubefacient (increases superficial circulation, which often lessens localized pain from arthritis, inflammation, etc. , antiseptic (kills or controls the growth of bacteria).
Here is an excerpt from the book for an internal use:
Cayenne can be applied to open wounds or taken orally to stop bleeding. Nosebleeds, deep cuts, even arterial gushing will stop within seconds. Blood pressure is equalised throughout the body so there is no excessive pressure on the haemorrhage area and it can clot naturally.
