Capsicum sp. - Cayenne

Description

This perennial plant (C. annum is annual) grows to 1 m or more. The glabrous stem has a woody bottom being herbaceous near the top. Leaves are ovate to lanceolate, entire and petioled. The drooping flower is white to yellow, grows singly in twos or threes with dark colored oblong anthers. The calyx is angular, erect, persistent with 5 short acute lobes. The corolla tube is very short. Stamens five, ovaries ovate, style filiform, stigma blunt. The fruit are two or three in number, attached where the branches fork. They are one to three cm long, narrow, oblong-ovoid being bright scarlet-red to yellow borne on a flat cup-like calyx. Although it grows primarily in Africa and Asia, it can grow naturally in the United States around the southern border of Tennessee. The best Capsicum is African Birdseye Cayenne (C. fastigiatum). It is a rather brilliant orange-red, but loses its color when exposed to light.

Parts Used

The fruit and the oil from the seeds.

Constituents

The most important constituents of Capsicum are pungent phenol compounds (0.05 - 1.5 %), the most prominent is capsaicin (C18H27NO3) the vanillyl amide of isodecenoic acid.(1) Besides capsaicin (69% or 10 - 800 mg %of herb), the pungent principle contains dihydrocapsaicin (22%), nordihydrocapsaicin (7%), homo-capsaicin (1%), and homodihydrocapsaicin (1%).(2,3) Some other constituents include carotenoids (capsanthin, capsorubin, carotene, lutein etc.). There is also a minute quantity of a liquid alkaloid, a saponin capsicidin and a fixed oil. (4-7) Capsicum also contains up to 0.2% ascorbic acid.(8)

The vitamin and mineral content (per 100 gm) is: calcium (29 mg), phosphorus (78 mg), iron (1.2 mg), potassium (374 mg) beta-carotene 12,960 IU), thiamine (0.22 mg), riboflavin (0.36 mg), and niacin (4.4 mg).

Mode of Action

Cayenne is first and foremost a powerful stimulant.(9-11) In the herbal sense, stimulant is a substance that increases circulation. Capsicum has been called the ``purest and most certain stimulant in the herbal materia medica``.(12)

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.``(13) Capsicum sp. are known to be very strong local stimulants in the circulatory system. In studies performed on female rabbits, capsaicin, the major constituent of cayenne, has been shown to significantly lower both plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, but even more important, lower the LDL-HDL ratio. The mechanism for this is not understood, but the authors felt it was possibly due to decreased intestinal absorption of the lipids.(14) Capsicum and capsaicin both significantly prevent the increase of liver cholesterol levels while enhancing fecal cholesterol excretion via bile in rats. Capsaicin has also been shown to decrease platelet aggregation. Its reduction of thromboxane B2 formation and erythrocyte hemolysis suggests a membrane stabilizing property that interferes with the activation of phospholipase A2.(15) The mechanism for thinning the blood is different than the explanatory models created for aspirin.(16)

The production of substance P by Cayenne has the known effect of dilating the arteries thereby aiding the reduction of blood pressure. Capsaicin is a very strong pain reliever, especially when applied to herpes zoster. It can regulate nerve response and work as a cardiac tonic. Capsaicin has been studied extensively. The research indicates an effect on bronchiole function, cAMP, and cardiac function.(17) There is even some speculation that capsaicin might have some anti-carcinogenic properties.(18)

The anti-inflammatory action of capsaicin suggests an antioxandant action that may interfere with oxygen radical tranfer mechanism common to lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways. Used externally as an anti-spasmodic, Cayenne can be used to release muscular pain (especially in shoulder, arm, and spine). It can also be used for rheumatism, arthritis, frostbite and chronic lumbago.(19) Some practitioners feel its use internally is contraindicated ( as well as most of the nightshade family) in conditions of rheumatism and arthritis.

Cayenne pepper sprays have become a common means of self defense. It was originally developed to protect a person from attacking bears. It has proven to be a relatively safe mechanism of protection, but there have been over 600 deaths associated with its use. People most at risk are large framed men over 250 pounds, under the influence of drugs or alcohol.(20)

Therapeutic Action

Stimulant, tonic, carminative, diaphoretic, rubefacient, condiment.

Energetics

Ayurvedic

Rasa - katu (pungent); Guna - laghu (light), rooksha (oily), teekshna; Veerya - ushna (hot); Vipaka - katu (pungent). Action of Kapha vat samak, pitta-wardhak, lakhan, nidrajanan, lalanisark, dipan, pachan, anuloman, vidah, vajikar.(21)

Other

Holmes lists Cayenne as very pungent, hot, with secondary cooling effect and dry. Its secondary qualities are stimulating, restoring, relaxing dispersing movement. Cayenne enters the Lung and Spleen meridians; influencing the arterial circulation, heart, stomach, intestine and lung; having the organism of warmth.(22) Tierra adds it influences the kidneys.(23)

Folklore

Besides its action as a local stimulant, Capsicum acts as a powerful stimulant to the digestive tract when taken internally. Capsicum is a gastric stimulant(24) stomachic(25,26) carminative(27) and an internal tonic.(28) Cayenne is of particular value for atonic gastric dyspepsia(29-31) for atony of the stomach and intestines(32) and has been widely used to treat flatulence. Capsicum is used externally as local counterirritant(33,34) for rheumatism, neuralgia, arthritis, chilblains, lumbago, and ``generally where counterirritation is indicated.``(35,36) Cayenne has been used in North America, Europe, China(37) and in India.(38) It was listed in Gerard (1597), Lewis (1769) and Comfort (1853). It can also be found in Aztec herbals (1552).(39) Cayenne has been used as an Ayurvedic herb for many centuries. The Cherokee and the Navaho-Ramah, are known to have used this plant traditionally. Its stimulant properties were used by the Cherokee while the Navaho used the powder as a means of weaning children.(40)

Dosage(41)

Capsules - 1-2 , 2 times daily.
Infusion - 1/4-1 tsp. per cup
Tincture - 5-10 drops
Powder - 60-300 mg. (42-43), 30-120 mg (44,45), .03-1.2 gm (46)
Usual dose - 60 mg.(47)

Toxicity and Contraindications

Excessive doses have been said to cause severe irritation of mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.(48) The active, pungent principle of Capsicum can be an irritant to the eyes and to tender skin, producing a strong burning sensation.(49) This irritative effect ``... differs from other local irritants in that there is practically no reddening of the skin even when there is very severe subjective sensation. In other words, while it exerts a strongly irritating effect upon the endings of the sensory nerves, it has very little action upon the capillary or other blood vessels. Therefore it does not cause blistering even in strong solution.``(50,51)

Capsicum is contraindicated for gastric catarrh(52,53) or in cases of ulcers and chronic bowel irritation. Over the last century several herbalists have used it to alleviate these problems. I have seen it help some and cause severe irritation in others. Capsicum annum and several other species of Capsicum including C. frutescens, C. chinense, C. pubescens, and C. baccatum have great medicinal value. Formerly the species C. minimum was considered the official drug; due to botanical renaming this has been replaced by C. annuum.(54)

Official Recognition and Medical References

Tincture of Capsicum N.F., B.P. Conc. Tinct. B.P.(55)
PDR for Herbal Medicine
German Commission E 1990, p. 178


References

1. Gathercoal, E.N. and Wirth, E.H., Pharmacognosy, Lea & Febiger, Phila. PA, 1936, p. 647.
2. Trease, G.E. and Evans, W.C., Pharmacognosy 11 ed., Bailliere Tindall, London, 1978. p. 364.
3. Leung, A.Y., Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs, and cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1980. p. 86.
4. Wallis, T.E., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, J & H Churchill, London, 1967. p. 266.
5. The Merck Index 5th ed., Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway NJ, 1940. p. 118.
6. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopeia, The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1941. p. 360
7. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1934. p. 276.
8. Tyler, V.E. et al., Pharmacognosy (7th ed.), Lea & Febiger, Phila. PA, 1976. p. 188.
9. Leung, A.Y.,Ibid.
10. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
11. Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal (Vol. 1 - A-H), Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1974. p. 176.
12. Wren, R.C., Potter`s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, Health Science Press, Rustington, Sussex, U.K., 1975. p. 73.
13. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Dispensatory of the United States of America 23rd ed.,J.B. Lippincott, Montreal, P.Q., 1943. p. 257.
14. Negulesco J.A. and Younge R.M, Capsaicin lowers plasma cholesterol and triglycerides of lagomorphs, Artery 12:5 301-311 1985.
15. Wang J.P. et al., Antiplatelet effect of capsaicin, Thromb. Res. 36:6 497-507 1984.
16. Wang, J.P. et al., Antihemostatic and antithrombotic effects of capsiacin in comparison with aspirin and indomethacin, Thromb. Res. 37:6 669-679 1985.
17. Gamese R. et al., Bronchial, cardiovascular and secretory responses after central administration of capsaicin in guinea-pig, Archives of Pharm. 333:59-69 1986.
18. Modly CE et al., Capsain as an in vitro inhibitor of Benzo(a)pyrene metabolism and its DNA binding in Human and Murine keratinocytes, Ann. Soc. Pharm. and Ex. Ther. 14 (4) 413-416 1986.
19. PDR for Herbal Medicine ; 1998 p. 715-17
20. Anonymous, ACLU report calls pepper spray potentially deadly; New York Times Jun. 19, 1995
21. Kapoor, L.D., CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1990, p. 98.
22. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder CO, 1989, p. 322-333.
23. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 241.
24. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications, Woodbridge Press Publ. Co., Santa Barbara CA, 1980. p. 54.
25. Wallis, T.E.,Ibid.
26. The Merck Index 5th ed., Ibid.
27. Allport, N.L., Chemistry and Pharmacy of Vegetable Drugs, George Newnes Ltd., London, 1943. p. 174-75.
28. The British Pharmacopeia, H.M. Printing Office, London, 1980. p. 360.
29. Grieve, M., Ibid.
30. Martindale, Ibid.
31. The Merck Index 5th ed.,Ibid.
32. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A.,Ibid.
33. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications,Ibid.
34. Wallis, T.E., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Ibid.
35. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934., Ibid.
36. Allport, N.L., Chemistry and Pharmacy of Vegetable Drugs, Ibid.
34. Squire, P.W., Squire`s Companion to the Latest Edition of the British Pharmacopeia, J & A Churchill, London, 1908. p. 323.
35. Wallis, T.E., Ibid.
37. Leung A.Y., Chinese Herbal Remedies, Universe Books, New York, NY, 1984, p. 124-126.
48. Kapoor, L.D., Ibid.
39. Crellin, J.K. and Philpott, J., Herbal Medicine: Past and Present (Vol. II), Duke University Press, London, 1990, p. 142.
40. Moerman, D.E., Medicinal Plants of Native America, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Technical Reports, Number 19, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1986, Vol.1, p.100.
41. Santillo, H., Natural Healing with Herbs, Hohm Press, Prescott Valley, AZ, 1984, p. 99.
42. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
43. The Merck Index 5th ed., Ibid.
44. Wren, R.C., Potter`s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, Ibid.
45. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopeia, Ibid.
46. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934.,Ibid.
47. Tyler, V.E. et al.,Ibid.
48. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid.
49. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
50. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
51. Spoerke, D.G., Ibid.
52. Martindale, Ibid.
53. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.
54. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
55. Wood, H.C. and Osol, A., Ibid.