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 Tips
Posted by Cristy (Dallas, Tx) on 07/07/2010
★★★★★
I have had much success with taking two teaspoons of cayenne pepper in a small cup of juice or beer (beer works really well--just about 3 ounces of it! ) but I have had unbearably bad side effects with cayenne *capsules*.
About 15-20 minutes after taking the capsules I get terrible, sharp stomach pains, cramps, and gas that last for a good 30 minutes and have me doubled over in pain. It feels like I swallowed a bomb!
I have read that cayenne should always be taken straight because digestion begins in the mouth, and the sharp spicy taste prepares the stomach to receive the pepper. For those fearful of the spicy taste, I vouch that I have a low "spicy-tolerance" and that when shooting the cayenne in a couple of ounces of liquid, the spiciness only lasts for 20-30 seconds and disappears completely. Not at all that lingering, intolerable burning we all know from eating Mexican food! Plus, drinking it straight gives you a pleasant head-rush and wave of energy. Cheers!
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Simone33 (Burlington, Nc) on 08/08/2009
★★★★★
I just wanted to comment that I know a great way of getting the cayenne down; pour it on cottage cheese. It goes down very easily with very little burn at all! I also add chopped eggs to it sometimes just to oomph it up a bit. I guess you could also chase it with water since this seems to be the rule here.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Betty (Shaker Hts, Ohio) on 05/28/2009
★★★★★
cayenne pepper has been wonderful for me l have lost weight and kept it off i take 2 to 3 caps daily. it has also helped my blood pressure tremendously i am starting my hubby on it asap due to his blood pressure this stuff really works so dont be afraid to use it folks. it has also helped my immune system, thyroid problem etc i also use it for blood thinng effect along with hawthorn
Broad Benefits
Posted by Katherine Lobendahn (Honolulu, HI) on 11/21/2008
★★★★★
Aloha! It doesn't seem to matter what ailment my body is going through (arthritic pain, 'acid reflux,' idegestion, stomach ache, back ache, fatigue, etc.), a shot of Cayenne Pepper in some water never ceases to relieve me of the pain, discomfort, etc. You name it, Cayenne does the work. When I was consistent earlier this year, my blood sugar and blood pressure were normalized. I am now purposed to take my daily dosage of Cayenne tea more consistently now to keep the annoying and hindering sypmtoms of sickness & disease away. It also got rid of psoriasis I had in my scalp and thigh.
Heart Issues
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 09/02/2009
★★★★★
My Mother was up for a bypass about 20 years ago. She's been taking cayenne pepper for years, and she swears it's kept her alive this whole time. She has hardening of the arteries, aswell. You can use EXTRA hot or african bird pepper too, although it may kill your stomach you need to take milk or cheese with it, to coat your stomach. She eats alot of dairy and butter in her diet, and she doesn't have the healthiest diet in the world but the cayenne pepper has done wonders for her.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Rani (Brookville, Ohio) on 11/29/2007
★★★★★
I will have to try the ACV, but I have found cayenne to be fantastic for many things. Energy definitely. And also good for colds and sinus. For really bad colds and sinus, I like to mix, garlic, cayenne, lemon juice, a little honey and a little orange juice with some boiling water and it does miracles!!
Hemorrhaging
Posted by Andrew (Williams Lake, Bc, Canada) on 02/22/2011
Although Cayenne does thin the blood, I have read in several places that it greatly aids in blood coagulation, so that would indicate that it is a good thing prior to surgery, and it is often used to help people stop bleeding when wounded. So, with a little more reading Amy maybe should retract her misleading statement. Thanks. A.
Weight Loss
Posted by Carol (OKC, U. S. A.) on 04/15/2007
★★★★★
...Cayenne pepper is awesome! My husband used it to reduce his weight. 1 tspn cayenne pepper in a 1/2 cup of hot water, 3 times a day. It speeds up the metabolism.
Frostbite
Posted by Kyle (kyle32085/@/yahoo.com) on 03/26/2007
★★★★★
Hi I just wanted to tell people two great ways to avoid frostbite in such cold conditions. I have found that putting cayenne powder or pepper in your shoes or socks can help prevent frostbite and warm up your feet. Also I have found that aloe heals the burning faster.
Wounds
Posted by LJ (Virginia) on 05/03/2024
★★★★★
Cayenne pepper is amazing for wounds (and other health benefits, too)! While living on a remote mountain, I constantly utilized natural healing.
One of my pet-like chickens somehow became injured in the upper leg with extreme bleeding. I knew I had to get it stopped quickly and grabbed a seasoning bottle of organic CP. I shook it over the wound while holding the chicken over a sink. After I heavily covered the area, it only took about twenty seconds for it to stop! The chicken lived and was fine.
Sometime later I was moving an old toilet and my hand was cut by a hidden crack on the underside. It was one of the worse cuts I've ever had and the way it was bleeding scared me. There was no stopping it, and I remembered how CP worked on my chicken. So, I again grabbed the bottle and poured it over the cut until the bleeding stopped within about 20 to 30 seconds. Then I put a drip or two of peroxide on it and covered with a bandaid. The cut healed up quickly and cleanly and today I can't even find a scar!
I always have CP on hand for myself, pets and friends and I take some daily as well as mixing it into my 17 year old dog's juice for a healthy heart.
Cayenne Contraindications
Posted by sandrasteam (florida) on 02/07/2021
Question - will the cayenne pepper thin a persons blood? My husband takes a baby aspirin a day.
Erectile Dysfunction, Energy, Cuts
Posted by Frank (Maryland) on 03/02/2019
★★★★★
I have taken cayenne for over 10 years. Great for energy, ED and overall health. Used in my mouth for bleeding after getting a tooth pulled. Put cayenne powder right on the hole and the bleeding stopped. Also used it on cuts many times. Burns for a few minutes but works.
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...
Broad Benefits
Posted by Donna (Santa Monica, CA) on 04/23/2015
Becky, I checked out your recommendation for cayenne on Earth Clinic's remedies. Amazing! Who knew there were so many applications for cayenne and it was so good for ones heart.The testimonial by Dr. Christopher is eye opening. Thank you.
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 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.
Fresh Cayenne Tips
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Usa) on 02/16/2011
★★★★★
This pepper is easily grown from seed where the weather is warm. I grow my own.
When it is a bright red color, I pick it from the plant, then, wearing gloves, I cut it open to scrape out the seeds. Then slice the pepper in thin slices and dry on paper towels. In less than a week, they are completely dry and can be stored in a jar. Then whenever I want to add it to whatever hot drink I am making, I just add a half teaspoon or so and let it steep a few minutes. You may like to use more or less. I like this better because I get the essence of the pepper without choking on the dried grounds.
Cayenne Tips
Posted by Kim (Houston, Tx) on 05/16/2012
Cristy, you crack me up with your 3 oz of beer! From one Texas chick to another - YOU GO GIRL!!!
Wounds
Posted by Bee (Mo, Usa) on 09/28/2009
★★★★★
Last nite I cut my foot on a nail sticking out of my carpet and came straight to this website. The cayenne had lots of Yeas so it caught my attention. I cleaned the wound which was bleeding profusely with some ACV, but it still bled. So I figured why not? Stuck some cayenne and it worked like styptic powder to stop the bleeding. It was impressive to watch and I was surprised that it did not hurt/burn like I expected. It stings a bit, but very tolerable. My only mistake was removing it too early. I would say make sure you keep it on even after the bleeding stops and bandage it.
Mood Enhancer
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 09/16/2024 523 posts
★★★★★
This is what I love about being human! Getting all distracted and out-of-sorts to the point of totally forgetting you have something like cayenne. Then, REMEMBERING and riding that seemingly supernatural wave all the way back to the awesomeness of being human!!
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!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dustin (Niigata, Japan) on 06/24/2010
★★★★★
Thank you for posting the recipee..I felt very invigorated after drinking it. I plan to do it once a month.I added some freshly squeezed lemons(2) also..very powerful..
Thanks again.
