Cayenne (Capsaicin) – A History of Health Benefits Many people are familiar with cayenne pepper as a popular spice in cooking. It has long added heat to popular dishes in many cultures. But few people know that cayenne has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cayenne was originally cultivated in South and Central America. Christopher Columbus took it to Europe in the 15th century and it spread around the rest of the world from there.

The main health properties in cayenne come from a chemical called capsaicin. This is the chemical that gives pepper its heat. Capsaicin acts to relieve pain and reduce platelet thickness. Cayenne also contains Vitamins C and E and carotenoids.

Cayenne is available in a variety of forms including capsules, ointments, liniments, oils, and powders. A number of properties have been attributed to cayenne including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-septic, diuretic, analgesic, expectorant, and diaphoretic.

Today cayenne is used worldwide to aid digestion, chronic pain, heart disease, sore throat, headaches, high cholesterol levels, and poor circulation. Digestive and Circulatory Support Vitabase Cayenne capsules are taken internally and may aid in several areas. As a digestive aid, cayenne helps soothe the digestive tract. It also stimulates the flow of saliva and stomach secretions. The increase in fluid release may also help relieve constipation.

Cayenne has also been shown to have positive effects on the circulatory system. It has also been shown to support lower cholesterol levels, and support normal blood pressure levels.

While cayenne is widely known to reduce pain when applied topically, it also may help reduce pain when taken internally. British studies published in the 1990s indicate cayenne may be useful in relieve stress-related fatigue, depression and in boosting energy.

Precaution: Asthma patients taking theophylline should consult with their physician before taking cayenne. Label Information and Ingredients: Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one or two capsules a day with water or juice.

Supplemental Facts Serving Size: 1 Capsule(s) Ingredients Per Serving % DV Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) (fruit) (a dried extract standardized to 40 thousand HU/g) 450 mg * * Daily Value Not Established Notes: Standardized Plus extracts are produced using a mild extraction procedure that enhances the activity of the whole herb while protecting the volatile compounds. The extracts are carefully blended with the whole herb to insure that all of nature's benefits are made available. Other Ingredients: Silicon Dioxide, Vegetable Stearate, Water and Gelatin.

Contains No Added: yeast, sugar, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

QUALITY AND POTENCY GUARANTEED Websites for Further Research:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gerd.html

http://www.cdhnf.org/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/digestived...

http://health.discovery.com/centers/digestive...

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/digestived...

http://www.gi.org/patients/healthtips.asp