Jambo!
“In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in – if they are still breathing – I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water) and within minutes they are up and around.” – Dr Christopher.
An image of silent doctor cayenne pepper hotly exploded in my mind after I viewed a concert which formed part of our school celebration of African History Month.
The celebration was empowering and awesome. My most touching moment was meeting and greeting Balogún bà Mwánza, the chief priest of Ilé Ifá Aiyétoro Temple. His presentation was ancient and mystifying and reinforced to me why I must be truly proud to be made by the Creator in the true form of a woman of African descent.
But let’s return to cayenne pepper or Capsicum frutescens.
It has amazing medical value and it is hot. It contains vitamins A, C, E, K and B6. It also contains fibre, potassium and manganese.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which, in addition to giving cayenne its characteristic heat, is a potent inhibitor of substance P, a neuropeptide associated with inflammatory processes. Cayenne is good for fighting inflammation and relieving pain.
It has manifested the ability to reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and platelet aggregation, while increasing the body’s ability to dissolve fibrin, which is a substance integral to the formation of blood clots. Research also shows that cayenne pepper can reduce heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism. Cayenne will also boost the immune system and prevent stomach ulcers.
Research points to cayenne as a herb which can lower blood pressure and help weight-watchers. It can clear the sinuses and help relieve congestion.
New research is emerging about cayenne’s ability to kill cancer cells in the prostate. Personally, I have used cayenne pepper to assist with the length of my hair and grooming my scalp. I use it to keep the skin “rosy” and for any pain which creeps up unexpected.
Finally, my gift to you for African History Month is an authentic pain oil.
You will need one small bottle of olive oil, four tablespoons of cayenne pepper, one tablespoon of nutmeg and spice and your secret ingredient. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and boil for five minutes. Let it cool and pour back into the bottle. Use as desired.
