Peppers

HISTORY: Peppers have been used for several thousand years in many places - from Ancient Greece to Roman times and possibly prehistoric times in Meso, Central and South America. They

were also traded on many spice routes throughout the world in the 1400s. Various types of peppers have been used for flavoring, currency, weapons, and medicinal purposes.

There are many types of peppers, usually categorized by their spiciness or “heat” as rated on the Scoville Scale. Some of the more common peppers are as follows:

Pure capsacian: 16,000,000

Carolina Reaper 2,000,000

Ghost pepper: 1,041,427

Scotch Bonnett: 350,000

Habanero 350,000

Cayenne: 30,000-50,000   Carolina Cayenne 125,000125,000

Tobasco 5

Serrano: 23,000

Jalepeno 2,500-10,000

Chipotle: 8,000

Pablano 1,000-2,000

Sriracha 1,000-2,500

Banana Pepper 0-500 (the redder it is, the hotter it tends to

be)

Black Pepper: Comes from the flowers of the Piper nigrumvine, a pepper plant variety. There is no significant level of

capsaicin, but it has a unique component, piperine, 

which has some health benefits. Black Pepper is an antioxidant

and anti-inflammatory. It may have cholesterol,

blood sugar, neurologic and gastrointestinal

benefits. It is proposed to help with respiratory problems,

arthritis, stomach depression,  headaches,

menstrual pain, dizziness, discolored skin (vitiligo),

weight loss, and, possibly, cancer. In addition, black pepper 

vapor may help with smoking cessation.

Bell Pepper: 0 Scoville units. However, they do have other

great benefits. Red, yellow, green, and purple. Red has

most beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A and C, folic acid, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Red is healthier than green.

In general, the longer peppers are on the vine, the redder they become and the hotter they get. And, "the hotter the pepper, the healthier it is" (the spicy shark.com)

PROPERTIES:

Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, possible antiviral activity, analgesic

CONSIDERED USES

Respiratory: Asthma, flu, cold

Eyes: May help eyes and help prevent cataracts

Cardiovascular: May help decrease blood pressure and enhance heart health

Gastrointestinal: Aids in digestion (except in LARGE quantities) may decrease gastrointestinal pathogens

Musculoskeletal: This may help slow the progression of osteoarthritis, decrease inflammation and joint pain, and strengthen bones.

Neurologic: Cluster headaches and migraines may increase endorphins and possibly create euphoria, may help prevent stroke, pain from shingles, neuralgia

Skin: Psoriasis, hair, skin, wound healing, burning skin pain- like shingles pain - it works by altering pain receptors

Mental Health: Pepper may help calm and decrease anxiety temporarily by increasing endorphins

Glucose: May help decrease blood sugar

Immunity: Helps increase immunity

Cancer: A study from Anticancer Research suggests that it may help prevent Bladder, cervical, pancreatic, prostate, and lung cancers.

Other: Appetite suppressant, decrease in age-related diseases, anti-aging/longevity, decrease in blood clotting, increases metabolism and possibly body temperature, red blood cell growth.

Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypertension, dryness, swelling/edema (fluid retention), sinusitis, bronchitis, exfoliation, dizziness, cough, skin odor, headache, irritation of the mouth, stomach, and intestines, and taste changes. Potential topical side effects: burning, itching, skin irritation/redness, the initial increase in pain when first applying it, and getting very hot pepper in your eyes can cause a great deal of eye irritation and even blindness. Possible side effects from sprays: Eye pain, temporary blindness, respiratory irritation

Cautions/Contraindications:

Forms: Many pepper products are sold over the counter. Most are made from the burning component of different peppers. Sprays, creams, oils, patches, ointments, extracts

NO BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS

Dosage: As directed