About Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a popular food seasoning known to add spicy hotness to any dish. Derived from dried and crushed chili peppers, cayenne seasoning can be used in cooking or the peppers can be added whole, in strips, chunks or diced bits to many recipes. The pepper is also believed to be effective at relieving a number of health ailments.

Identification

• Cayenne pepper is also referred to as Capsicum frutescens. The cayenne plant produces pods or peppers containing seeds. The flesh of the peppers as well as the seeds can be dried to make a powdered herb to be taken as a dietary supplement or used as a seasoning.

Benefits

• A study led by Akio Mori and reported in the March 15, 2006, issue of Cancer Research concluded that capsaicin, a component of red peppers, inhibits development of prostate cancer cells. In the April 1993 issue of the journal Cephalalgia, David R. Marks states that capsaicin may be useful in treating cluster headaches.

Considerations

• Capsaicin is the chemical that gives peppers their hotness. Capsaicin is referred to as "TNT" because of the explosive and immediate effects caused by even a brief taste of cayenne.

Types

• Cayenne is only one of a variety of hot peppers that are used to season food and contain capsaicin. Others include jalapenos, habaneros and chile de arbol.

History

• Cayenne pepper originated in Central and South America thousands of years ago. Countries in the two regions are known and beloved for their hot and spicy regional foods.