The cayenne pepper is said to originate from Cayenne, French Guiana. It is usually dried and ground into a fine powder but could also be used fresh in many recipes. It is generally skinny and red and contains high amounts of capsaicin which is what accounts for most of its benefits.

In addition to being delicious, it adds a touch of heat to your food and offers several potent health benefits including:

• Boosting metabolism and suppressing hunger
• Improving gastrointestinal health
• Helping lower blood pressure
• Helping relieve pain associated with joints, toothaches, migraines, and menstrual cramps.
• Enhancing cardiovascular health
• Helping prevent certain cancers
• Clearing congestion associated with sinus and bronchitis
• Treatment for sore throats and laryngitis
• Aiding detoxification
• Boosting immunity
• Improving skin and hair health

Uses

Cayenne pepper can be used to flavour and enrich spicy sauces, meat marinades, and sprinkled as a seasoning on your soups and an assortment of traditional dishes. It can also be added to spice mixes or used in marmalades and salad dressing.