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6.
CAPSICUM ANNUM
Eng.
= Cayenne ; Ind. Lal-mirchi
Habitat
and Description
Cayenne
is a perennial herb having a height of about three feet.
It leaves are oval with white or yellow flowers.
The ripe fruit or pepper is a many-seeded shell with a tough
outside, red or yellow in colour. Its
main constituent Capasaicin is responsible for its chilly properties.
It is cultivated widely all over India, America and Africa
Parts
used : Fruit
and oil from the seeds
Actions : Carminative,
tonic, diaphoretic, condiment, rubefacient, stimulant
Therapeutic
uses
·
In
Arthritis and related disorders
Its
main compound Capsaicin is used in creams for relief of minor pain in
muscles and joints due to rheumatoid Arthritis or osteoarthritis
It acts as a rubafacient as it invigorates the flow of blood to
affected parts in case of certain arthritic diseases.
It relieves pain by acting on sensory nerves.
·
Other
uses
It
is useful in respiratory
diseases such as bronchitis, cold, cough and diabetic neuropathy. Its oil and ointment can be applied in case of blood clots,
psoriasis, and trigeminal neuralgia with beneficial result.
It relieves flatulence and indigestion.
Its oil is mixed with other oils to bring relief from toothache.
It also reduces blood cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet
aggregation, thereby reducing the chances of atherosclerosis.
Mode
of Administration and Dosage.
It
is used as a cream containing 0.025 to 0.075 percentage of capsaicin mixed
with any other ingredient and thoroughly massaged on the painful joints.
It can also be used as a compress in case of sprain and bruises.
Infused oil can be applied with beneficial results in case of
spondylitis and Arthritis. Tincture
of cayenne can be used in the dose of ˝ to 1 ml thrice daily.
In powder form it should be taken in a dose of 225 mg to 650 mg
twice daily.
Precaution
It
is relatively safe. However,
people suffering from ulcers should not use cayenne in high doses. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the cream
containing cayenne compound, capsaicin.
The cream should not be applied in broken skin.
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