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| − | [[Image:Large Cayenne.jpg|thumb|A large red cayenne]] | + | #REDIRECT [[Pepper]] |
| − | {{Pepper
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| − | | heat=Hot ([[Scoville scale|SR]]: 40,000-90,000)
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| − | The '''Cayenne''' is a [[Scoville_scale|hot]] red [[chili pepper]] used to flavor dishes; its name comes from the city of [[Cayenne]] in [[French Guiana]]. It is a [[cultivar]] of ''[[Capsicum annuum]]'' related to [[bell pepper]]s, [[jalapeño]]s, and others. All are related species of the [[nightshade]] family ([[Solanaceae]]).
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| − | The fruits are generally dried and ground, or pulped and baked into cakes, which are then ground and sifted to make the powder, '''Cayenne pepper'''.
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| − | Cayenne is used in cooking [[Spice|spicy]] hot dishes, as a powder or in its whole form (such as in [[Szechuan cuisine]]). It is generally rated at 40,000 to 90,000 [[Scoville scale|Scoville Units]]. It is also used as a herbal supplement, and was mentioned by [[Nicholas Culpeper]] in his Complete Herbal.
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| − | === Historical or traditional use: ===
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| − | The potent, hot fruit of cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for various conditions:
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| − | * [[Gastrointestinal tract]]: including stomachaches, cramping pains, and gas.
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| − | * Diseases of the [[circulatory system]]: It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation).
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| − | * [[Rheumatic]] and arthritic pains: Rubbed on the skin it causes a [[counterirritant]] effect. A counterirritant is something which causes irritation to the area to which it is applied. This makes it distract the nerves from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis).
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| − | * [[Sore throat]]: If gargled with water it can work as an effective treatment for sore throats.
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| − | == Active components: ==
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| − | Cayenne contains a [[resin]]-like pungent substance known as [[capsaicin]]. This chemical relieves pain and itching by affecting [[sensory nerves]]. Capsaicin temporarily causes various [[neurotransmitters]] to release from these nerves, leading to their [[depletion]]. Without the neurotransmitters, pain signals can no longer be sent. The effect is temporary. Capsaicin and other constituents in cayenne have been shown to have several other actions, including reducing platelet stickiness and acting as [[antioxidant]]s.
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | * [[Chile pepper]]
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| − | * [[Sialagogue]]
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| − | {{Herbs & spices}}
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| − | [[Category:Chili peppers]]
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