Summer Break Day 2

I was up way too late last night.  My friend asked me to come over and my kids got all wired again so they didn't want to sleep.  The good thing was the slept all night and I didn't have to share my side of the bed with a micro-human!  Though, my daughter usually sleeps in the middle of the bed and she was right up against me all night.  At least we all got some good sleep! I got nothing done yesterday around the house.   My son went down for his nap and she asked me to color, even said please!  lol  We were coloring when he woke up crying from a tummy ache.  I wrapped him in a blanket to warm him up and he fell asleep with me rocking him and she fell asleep on my feet.  I didn't want to move him because I wanted to keep that blanket where it was.  The poor kid had a terrible gas bubble and man did I suffer for it!  LOL  At least it passed by the time he woke up and was a happy little boy again.   I didn't have any time to cook anything since he woke up at 6 so I threw in a pizza, great for such occasions!  Not very healthy, though.  Well, I have to get in there and get breakfast cooking. I leave you with a great herb below!

On to Cayenne!

Constituents: Capsaicinoids: capsaicin, dihyrocapsaicin, others; carotenoids (capsanthin, capsorubin, carotene), steroidal saponins –capsicidins in root and seed (Hoffman, 2003, p. 536). Chevallier (2016) adds flavonoids, volatile oil but differs with Hoffman on the capsicidins.  He says they are ONLY in the seeds. Capsaicin causes a cooling affect by first causing heat which desensitizes the hypothalamus gland which then cools the body (Heinerman, 1996, p. 127).

Therapeutic Actions: Stimulant, carminative, anticatarrhal, sialagogue, rubefacient, antimicrobial (Hoffman, 2003, p. 536). Chevallier (2016) adds in tonic, relieves muscle spasms (anti-spasmodic), antiseptic, increases sweating (there is a term for it but it’s evading me as I write this), and analgesic.

Indications: Stimulates blood flow, strengthens the cardiovascular system and nerves. Tones circulatory and digestive systems. May help with flatulent dyspepsia and colic. Wards off colds.  Externally, it can be used for lumbago and rheumatic pain. It can be used in moderation for unbroken chilblains. Gargle for laryngitis and is a good antiseptic wash. It has also been known to help with painful/itchy skin disorders – psoriasis, shingles, diabetic neuropathy and postmastectomy pain. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 536). Petersen, 2018, p 105, says for arthritis, rheumatism, and pain relief use externally - the infusion or ointment can be used here. For asthma, internal bleeding, blood pressure balance, circulatory problems, chills, colds, constipation, couch, cramps, dyspepsia, heart irregularities, hemorrhoids, lethargy, mucus, varicose veins and vomiting, Petersen says use the infusion, tincture or powder. For topical bleeding and wounds, you can use the infusion or powder. For cold extremities and chilblains, put the tincture on the affected area. Yep, that will work…  Just don’t get it in the eyes!!! For inflamed gums, put the powder in the area. For mouth ulcers, gargle the infusion or the tincture. If swallowing is a problem, make a lozenge 1-1.5 micrograms. For a toothache, put the tincture on a cotton ball and place it on the tooth.

Safety: Hoffman doesn’t mention any safety issues but I’d highly recommend washing your hands immediately after touching this because it is not compatible with eyes or children.  The proper way to dry these peppers is to hang them and let them dry in the sun.  Heinerman shared a funny story which was not so funny to those who experienced it.  The husband tried drying them in the microwave… The result was like filling the house with tear gas.  They got the kitchen cleared out then he went upstairs to nap and the fumes were “deadly”. They had to open the whole house and air it out. (Heinerman, 1996, p. 134)

Have a great day!