Cayenne has been used by people for its ability to get blood flowing to all parts of the body, this may have contributed to its effectiveness for warming cold hands and feet. As an ointment Cayenne has been used to aid pain associated with rheumatism or neuralgia. As a gargle it has been used for sore throats.
Cayenne is used to heal ulcers, improve circulation, boost the immune system, aid digestion, nausea, scrofula, herpes, shingles, rheumatism, arthritis, pleurisy, Raynaud’s disease, bunions, psoriasis, pleuritis and pericarditis. It is used as a tonic for the heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen and stomach, and has been indicated for preventing heart disease.
Cayenne can be used as a general stimulant to build up resistance at the beginning of a cold, tonsillitis, laryngitis, hoarseness, shingles, and for swollen lymph glands.
Other uses include relief of toothache, seasickness, alcoholism, malaria, and fever. It is also used to help people who have difficulty swallowing.
Some people apply capsicum to the skin for pain caused by shingles, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. It is also used topically for nerve pain associated with diabetes and HIV, and back pain.
