Cayenne is very closely related to bell peppers, jalapeños, paprika, and other similar peppers. It contains a large amount of Vitamin C and beta-carotene. Regulating the flow of blood, cayenne strengthens the heart, arteries, and nerves. If you feel a cold coming on, take cayenne pepper to ward it off. The heating properties of cayenne will stimulate circulation increasing the ability to sweat it out.
The potent, hot fruit of cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. Rubbed on the skin, cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed a counterirritant effect. A counterirritant is something which causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis).
Cayenne contains a resinous and pungent substance known as capsaicin.
This chemical relieves pain and itching by acting on sensory nerves. Capsaicin temporarily stimulates release of various neurotransmitters from these nerves, leading to their depletion. Without the neurotransmitters, pain signals can no longer be sent.
Next to ginger, cayenne is the next best thing for digestion. The dried, uncooked and POWDERED herb is always used for purposes of healing. Drying the cayenne pepper cures the acids thereby eliminating any caustic effects.
This bright orange red herb is known to heal gum infections and eliminate the pain of abscesses. Dip your wet toothbrush into some cayenne pepper or else add a pinch of it atop the toothpaste. Rinsing with cayenne will also benefit your gums and if you gargle with it you will have a strong throat.