If you can handle the heat (or are prone to making painful bets), you’ve probably eaten a few cayenne peppers. In addition to being edible, cayenne peppers (capsicum frutescens) also have medicinal uses. Cayenne are the hot peppers that typically grow a pale yellow color and mature to bright red. Cayenne can be used to treat sore throat, wounds, colds, chills, and bruising.

Using Cayenne Medicinally: To treat colds, chills, shock, or depression, take an infusion of the dried herb internally. To treat sprains, rheumatic pains, and bruising, soak a pad in an infusion and use as a compress. For throat problems, drink the following tincture: dilute five to 10 drops of cayenne tincture in a half-glass of warm water and add honey and lemon juice.

Many medicinal uses of cayenne involve using the dried herb. To dry the peppers slowly, simply string them up by their stems and hang until dried. To dry faster, place them in a dehydrator or in your oven on the lowest temperature. Important: avoid touching the eyes after handling fresh chilies, as the seeds can be toxic. Excessive consumption of cayenne can lead to gastroenteritis and liver damage. Avoid therapeutic doses while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Growing Cayenne: In our area, cayenne may be grown in a container or in the ground and require a long, warm growing season. Plant cayenne from September to March. One to three plants is sufficient for both the food and medicinal needs of a family.

Adding more of this spicy pepper to your meals can help regulate blood sugar levels as well as relieves arthritis pain. Many arthritis creams and lotions use cayenne pepper for pain relief.