Cayenne and a HEALTHY Heart…..not new news!

By Chef Lippe @ www.cheflippe.com

Cayenne pepper and a healthy heart…..maybe the Aztecs had it right?

Cayenne pepper of the Capsicum annuum family is a stimulating spice made from the dried pods of chili peppers and is well known for its pungent taste and smell. Cayenne is a popular spice and it is often referred to as chili, which is the Aztec name for cayenne pepper.

Have you seen the news reports on capsaicin?  This is not new news!  Cayenne Chile is also known for its medicinal properties which are derived from a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient which gives peppers their HEAT. Capsaicin also acts to reduce platelet stickiness and relieve pain. Other properties of cayenne peppers are vitamins E, C and carotenoids, which is why Cayenne is known as the HEALTHY HEART pepper for hundreds of years.

Today cayenne is used worldwide to treat a variety of health conditions, including poor circulation, weak digestion, heart disease, chronic pain, sore throats, headaches and toothache. Ayurveda also utilizes cayenne to treat poor digestion and gas. Chinese medicine uses cayenne for digestive ailments. When taken internally, cayenne soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva. These secretions contain substances which help digest food. Cayenne is the greatest herbal aid to circulation and can be used on a regular basis. Some studies list cayenne as the most powerful herb. Many Americans are simply unaware of natural herbs that can help dramatically improve their health. Many believe that cayenne pepper could be used as an all-natural replacement to the drug Lipitor.

What is Ayurveda? http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/ayurveda.htm

Ayurveda provides both curative and preventive measures towards optimal physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The word “Ayurveda” is from the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit, and literally means “Knowledge of Life”.  Ayurveda offers a philosophy whereby one may prevent unnecessary suffering and live a long, healthy life.  It is a patient-orientated system of healing and believes that you can achieve health through daily routine.

According to the National Heart Foundation “Coronary heart disease is the single greatest cause of death for both men and women in the US, eclipsing all other causes, including cancer and lung diseases. Every year more than 479,000 Americans die of coronary heart disease.”   It is estimated that the US spends around $300 billion per year on heart disease related care.

It’s value as a medicinal herb includes using it for wounds, heart disease, heart attacks, heart problems at large, ulcers, congestion, colds, chills, bleeding of the lungs, neuralgia, lumbago, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, high and low blood pressure, indigestion, kidney and related problems, and this is just the short list.

Cayenne pepper is a stimulant and as such is an activator, carrier, and accentuator to other herbs as well.  It can and should be used by its self.  If you are concerned about your heart health, cayenne pepper should be a daily staple in your diet.   In fact, the Hunzas of Asia Minor have lived for centuries on a diet of apricots and cayenne pepper, often living to the age of 150.

When you are looking for cayenne pepper it important to remember that not all cayenne is of the same quality.  For example grocery store cayenne is most likely irradiated and will not give you as pronounced and identifiable benefits as other high quality cayenne we offer.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting and befriending many suppliers of quality ingredients which I am proud to offer to you at my online store. Please visit me at www.cheflippe.com and see the full range of high quality gourmet items that I offer.