Many people think of this spicy little beauty as just a delicious way to boost the flavor of their cooking, but this pepper is a valuable medical tool with a wide range of uses. Part of the logic behind the many herbal applications of capsicum is that it is a catalyst, and can be used to enhance the effects of other treatments. Little is known about the pharmacological activities of capsicum in humans, but it is abundantly clear that capsicum is a stimulant. In fact, it has been called "the purest and most certain stimulant in the herbal materia medica." The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 23 ed., 1943, states that "Capsicum is a powerful local stimulant, producing, when swallowed, a sense of heat in the stomach, and a general glow over the body without narcotic effect." Chili peppers have long reigned over the canon of folk medicine. Archeological remains show that capsicum was a dietary staple in Mexico 9,000 years ago. In Indonesia, capsicum is used as a traditional remedy for gonorrhea. In central Africa, it's used as a calming, stress-relieving tonic. In Hawaii, it's used for backaches, rheumatism, and swollen feet. Some reports even suggest capsicum can prevent heart attacks. One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 1979 found that capsicum contained the most natural vitamin E -- often used to treat heart conditions -- of all the edible plants analyzed by the research team. In a fresh, ripe pepper, the researchers measured 3-10mg/.100gs, meaning capsicum can be considered a significant dietary source of vitamin E.Additionally, the form of vitamin E found in capsicum is an especially stable one, which makes it particularly well-suited for medical applications. According to a combination of herbal lore and medical research, capsicum may:
*Ease congestion
*Aid in weight reduction
*Prevent tooth decay
*Support digestion