Cayenne Red Pepper and Candida

Discussions about candida cures are heating up - especially when the talk turns to using cayenne red pepper to treat the  condition.  Cayenne pepper, or capsicum, as it is also known,  is one method candida sufferers are finding aids significantly in their struggle to overcome their persistent problems.  Here’s a closer look at how and why this spicy product is effective.

Cayenne Pepper: A History of Natural Healing

Throughout the centuries natural healers have used cayenne pepper to treat a variety of ailments.  In fact, many herbalists today feel it is one of the most valuable remedies available.  It is used to treat digestive problems, strokes, heart attacks, wounds, muscle aches, infections, circulatory problems and more.  It’s even being studied as a treatment for prostate cancer.   The list of medicinal properties attributed to cayenne red pepper include:

• Rubefacient (reddens the skin by increasing circulation)
• Anticoagulant (prevents blood clots)
• Digestive aid
• Carminative (prevents and relieves gas)
• Stimulant
• Tonic
• Sialogogue (promotes the production of saliva)
• Alterative (facilitates a positive change in the body, helps restore normal health)

Cayenne pepper is also an excellent source of beta carotene and Vitamin C.

The peppers themselves contain a substance called capsaicin, which has been the target of several studies exploring its medicinal benefits.  The capsaicin is what gives the pepper it’s  bite and  is also what makes the herb so valuable in medicinal applications.  It has an energizing effect throughout the body’s system, increasing circulation and boosting your metabolism rate.

Cayenne Pepper as a Candida Cure

One of the main ways cayenne pepper helps candida sufferers is by improving circulation.  When circulation is optimum, your digestive system works more efficiently,  ridding the body of waste and toxins more quickly.  It  helps cleanse the system and promote healing.

It is also believed that capsaicin kills candida albicans organisms.  Tests have shown that animals with candida have fewer number of living candida colonies after receiving cayenne treatments.

Cayenne comes in capsules but it is highly recommended that you use a tincture or powder instead.  It is known that the minute cayenne hits the nerve endings in the mouth, it sends a message throughout the body to increase blood flow.  When taken in capsule form, the capsaicin never touches those nerve endings and minimizes the beneficial effects.

It is advised that you add either powder or a tincture of cayenne to a glass of water and drink it about 15 minutes before each meal.  About a quarter teaspoon powdered cayenne or 8 drops of tincture is sufficient.

Please note that not all cayenne peppers are created equal.  The heat units, also known as Scoville units, will vary from variety to variety.  The higher the heat units, the more effective the cayenne.  While the cayenne in your kitchen cabinets is about 3,000 Scoville units, ultra-hot habeneros, for example, can have up to 300,000 heat units.

There are no known side effects from the use of cayenne but it may interact with some other drugs.  If you are taking any prescription medications, consult with your physician before beginning a cayenne regime.

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