In folk medicine, cayenne has been used for painful muscle spasms, frostbite, and as a gargle for hoarseness and sore throats. It also was used for preventing seasickness, heart disease, and stroke.
In Ayurvedic medicine, cayenne is used for gout, arthritis, sciatica, coughs, and hoarseness. It can lower a fever associated with malaria, yellow fever, and scarlet fever. It is also used for cholera and edema. When combined with ginger and rhubarb, it can treat anorexia nervosa. As a homeopathic remedy, cayenne is used for inflammation of the urinary tract, alimentary canal, and mouth, and for middle ear infections.
Earlier this week in our Herbal Community, we mentioned some of its constituents, but the one you’ll want to focus on and keep associated with this plant is: Capsaicin