Cayenne / Garlic

Cayenne is also known by the common names African Pepper, American Pepper, Bird Pepper, Cockspur Pepper, Goat's Pepper, Pod Pepper, Garden Pepper, African Red Pepper, Capsicum and Chili Pepper. Originally from South America, the Cayenne plant has spread across the globe both as a food and as a medicine. The potent, hot fruit of Cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping pains and gas. Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation). Rubbed onto the skin, Cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed as a "counterirritant" effect. A counterirritant is something that causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis). Cayenne peppers vary greatly in the amount of heat and are actually categorized from anywhere between 0 to 300,000 Scovile units. Green peppers are 0 while the hottest, such as Habaneras, are 300,000. A more modern system simply rates heat on a scale of 1 to 10. Many people consume lots of hot peppers in tropical climates as the heat will induce perspiration, which actually helps a person to cool off. Cayenne's primary chemical constituents include capsaicin, capsanthine, beta carotene, flavonoids and vitamin C. Cayenne causes the brain to secrete more endorphins and is also considered thermogenic, meaning it can "rev up" metabolism and aid in weight loss. Cayenne also improves circulation. Cayenne helps to relieve pain, not only due to its endorphin enhancing properties, but also when diluted and used topically, it helps to block the transmission of substance P, which transports pain messages to the brain.

Garlic, a member of the family that includes onions, leeks and shallots, is native to Europe and Central Asia. Garlic has long been used by many cultures to support a variety of health conditions. The English name, Garlic, is derived from Anglo-Saxon words, leac, meaning "pot herb" and gar, meaning "lance shape," after the shape of the leaf. The slaves who built the Pyramid of Cheops were fed rations of Garlic to give them strength, and Olympic athletes in ancient Greece chewed a clove of Garlic at the start of a competition, believing it increased their stamina. It was once used to help protect one from the Bubonic Plague and to ward off evil. For thousands of years, Garlic has been one of the most popular medicinal herbs, in spite of the legendary myth that Garlic will ward off vampires. Garlic is considered to be Nature's very own antibiotic. Unlike most antibiotics, Garlic will not deplete the body of good flora, and is considered to be the cure-all herb because of its effectiveness on the entire body. Popularly used as a digestive aid, Garlic increases bile production while enhancing digestion and reducing stomach gases. Garlic's strong odor is due mostly to a sulfide called allicin. Garlic is a source of selenium, which must be present in the body for proper immune response, and which also acts as an antioxidant in combination with vitamin E. Rich in potassium, zinc, selenium and vitamins A and C, Garlic is commonly used to fight infection, increase circulation and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Garlic has been known to detoxify the body by cleansing the kidneys and increasing urine flow. Furthermore, Garlic's healing properties make it an ideal agent for fighting colds and flu, bacteria and fungi. Garlic has also been used for lowering cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure and for treating respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma.