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Cayenne Pepper Benefits (According to Ayurveda)
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

The entire nightshade family (solanaceae) aggravates Vata and Pitta, due to the weak liver of these two body types. All peppers aggravate Pitta due to heat. Note that black pepper has no relationship with chili and bell peppers.

Chili is very hot and pungent! It is a pure pungent - with lots of heat and little flavor. Be cautious, as chili is very intense. Black pepper and ginger are more mild than chili, and spices like cumin and fennel milder still. Finally, spices like coriander are very mild.

Some Like it Hot: Read about chili here.

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  • SERVING SIZE: 1/16 tsp
  • FAMILY: Solanaceae
  • SPECIES: Capsicum annuum
  • EAT IN: SPRING

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Is Cayenne Pepper Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Cayenne Pepper' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Cayenne Pepper

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Moves Energy:
Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Upward

UPWARD

Upward-moving substances (Urdvha Gati Marga) include anything stimulating or activating, or that move upward in the body.

SEE ALL 'UPWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:
Respiratory Health
Family:
Solanaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cayenne Pepper
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestion:
Antiemetic

ANTIEMETIC

Herbs that reduce nausea or stop vomiting. Generally refreshing, aromatic herbs.

SEE ALL 'ANTIEMETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sialogogue

SIALOGOGUE

A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.

SEE ALL 'SIALOGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:
Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifibrotic

STRONG ANTIFIBROTIC

Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFIBROTIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Rubefacient

RUBEFACIENT

An herb used topically that causes dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. The skin will appear red or flushed.

SEE ALL 'RUBEFACIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Expectorant

STRONG EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antiplatelet

STRONG ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cayenne Pepper

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antiemetic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Rubefacient, Warms-chest, Antifibrotic, Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Rubefacient, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Antiemetic, Decongestant, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antiemetic, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Sialogogue, Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiplatelet, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Expectorant, Rubefacient, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Expectorant, Rubefacient, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Rubefacient, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Crystallized Ginger

    Crystallized Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Antiplatelet, Diaphoretic, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Sialogogue, Warms-chest, Antiemetic, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Dried)

    Ginger (Dried) has these Actions in Common

    Spleen-tonic, Antiplatelet, Diaphoretic, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Sialogogue, Warms-chest, Antiemetic, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Rubefacient, Warms-chest, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Rubefacient, Warms-chest, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Antispasmodic, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cayenne Pepper

  • Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Antiemetic, Rubefacient, Antispasmodic, Sialogogue, Burns-toxins, Spleen-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest, Digestive, Expectorant, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

    Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Mucolytic, Antispasmodic, Rubefacient, Burns-toxins, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antifibrotic, Antiplatelet, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Expectorant, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Shower

    Hot Shower has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Mucolytic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Bath

    Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Mucolytic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Angelica

    Angelica has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Analgesic, Vasodilator, Antiplatelet, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink

    Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Osha

    Osha has these Actions in Common

    Warms-chest, Antiplatelet, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil

    Eucalyptus Essential Oil has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cayenne Pepper may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Cayenne Pepper may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Cayenne Pepper. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Spring

Cayenne Pepper is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.
VIEW ALL SPRING FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / KAPHA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
CONTINUE READING

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

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