Cayenne

cayenne One of the best known spices in the world, cayeene, or Capsicum annuum, is a hot, red chili pepper used not only to flavor dishes but also for medicinal purposes. Named for the city of Cayenne in French Guiana, it is a nightshade, related to bell peppers and jalapeños.

Some herbalists regard cayenne as the most versatile and useful of all herbs, and anyone who has ever suffered from dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or upset stomach, might be inclined to agree. Studies and anecdotal evidence both support the notion that cayenne can help to rebuild tissue in the stomach and promote peristaltic action in the intestines. Cayenne appears to aid in both elimination of waste matter and in the assimilation of nutrients from food. This spice also seems to help the body up-regulate production of hydrochloric acid, which is so necessary for good digestion and assimilation of proteins. A number of researchers suspect that cayenne might help to kill H. Pylori, the bacteria that causes many ulcers.