chili pepper
- Origin
- North America
- Part used
- See detailed notebook
- Tradition
- Traditional ethnobotany
Native to the warm lands of Central and North America, chili pepper has accompanied Indigenous peoples for millennia, both on the plate and in folk pharmacopoeia. Brought back to Europe after the great voyages, it spread through nearly every culinary and medicinal tradition of the world, where it is credited with tonic and warming virtues.
Traditional uses
Traditional joint warming
Chili pepper, applied as an external preparation, has long been used for its rubefacient virtues, said to bring a local sensation of warmth to painful joints.
Folk digestive stimulant
Eaten in small amounts in the diet, chili pepper was traditionally considered a stimulant of appetite and digestion in several Latin American cultures.
A tonic, warming plant
In folk traditions, chili pepper was seen as a tonic remedy, said to stimulate blood circulation and produce an overall sensation of internal warmth.
Traditional use for chills
Certain rural traditions used chili pepper mixed with honey or infusions to accompany seasonal chills.
Before you use it
Never apply to broken or irritated skin, or to mucous membranes; risk of chemical burn if it contacts the eyes. Not advised for children, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women, without the advice of a health professional. May interact with certain medications (anticoagulants, blood pressure treatments): seek medical advice if undergoing treatment. Wash hands thoroughly after any handling; avoid prolonged use on the skin without a professional's supervision.
The detailed notebook
- Prepared as a paste or decoction
- Traditional duration of use
- Known contraindications
- Related species and their uses
Where to find it
Partner herbalists — available with the detailed notebook.
Sources
Wikipedia