Cayenne / Hawthorne Berry

Cayenne is originally from South America, and 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. 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 also improves circulation and causes the brain to secrete more endorphins. It is considered thermogenic, meaning it can "rev up" metabolism and aid in weight loss. 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.

Hawthorne is also known by the names Haw, May Blossom, May Day Flower and White Thorn. In Celtic folklore, fairies are said to congregate in Hawthorne groves. Hawthorne comes from a small, spiny tree indigenous to the Mediterranean region, and throughout history, Hawthorne has had its reputation both as a symbol of hope - and as a symbol of evil. At one time, Christianity regarded the plant as sacred, due to the belief that it furnished Christ's crown of thorns. Both the Greeks and Romans associated Hawthorne with marriage and fertility. Hawthorne leaves and berries have been used since the nineteenth century to support the heart and to normalize cardiovascular functions. Today, Hawthorne is one of the most popular herbs used in Europe, and gaining wider acceptance in the United States. Primary chemical constituents of this herb include vitamin C, flavonoids, glycosides, proanthocyanidins, anthocynaidins, saponins, tannins and crataegin. Hawthorne Berry appears to work best when taken as a preventative herb, possibly helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. With its high content of bioflavonoids, Hawthorne Berry best supports the heart. Hawthorne increases the body's ability to utilize oxygen and the heart's ability to utilize calcium. This herb can actually help regulate both high and low blood pressure, in addition to slowly breaking down cholesterol and fat deposits in the body. The bioflavonoids help strengthen the contractive force of the heart, and gently dilate and relax the coronary blood vessels, improving overall circulation. For this reason, Hawthorne Berry has been used to lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as increase low blood pressure. When used to support weight loss programs, Hawthorne Berry helps to reduce water retention by expelling excess salt from the body. This botanical has also been known to reduce nervous tension, alleviate insomnia and aid digestion. Hawthorne can also be used to strengthen joint lining, collagen and spinal discs.