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Capsicum Powder

Capsicum is a perennial plant in its native tropical America but is annual when cultivated outside tropical zones. Growing to a height of 3 feet or more, its glabrous stem is woody at the bottom and branched near the top. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, entire, and petioled. The drooping, white to yellow flowers grow alone or in pairs or threes between April and September. The ripe fruit, or pepper, is a many seeded pod with a leathery outside in various shades of red or yellow. Evidence suggests that Capsicum annuum originally appeared in northern Latin America. They are believed to have been grown domestically in the Mexico area from around 2,500 B.C. As a result of the travels of Christopher Columbus, Capsicum annuum seeds were taken from the area and planted back in the then colonies of Spain and Portugal.

	2 oz	4 oz	8 oz	1 lb
Capsicum Powder 40,000 HU	$2.50	$3.00	$3.50	$5.88
Capsicum Powder 90,000 HU	$2.50	$3.00	$5.00	$8.40

Properties/Uses - Appetizer, digestive, irritant, sialagogue, stimulant, tonic. In powder form, cayenne is used as a general stimulant and to build up resistance at the beginning of a cold. It can also be taken as an infusion for stomach and bowel pains or cramps. Small quantities of the the powder will stimulate appetite. For external use, cayenne is made into plasters or liniment or the tincture is applied to inpleutitis, or pericarditis. Scientists have now concluded that capsicum does indeed possess fibrinolytic activity, meaning that it is able to break down blood clots. The active ingredient in capsicum is a compound called "capsaicin" that functions to deplete 'substance P', which is involved in the transmission of pain from the skin to the spinal cord. By blocking substance P, capsaicin acts as a dramatic and long-lasting anesthetic bringing relief to almost 75 percent of patients tested.

Botanical Name - Capsicum annuum

Part Used - Seed

Common Names/Synonyms - Africa Pepper, American Pepper, Bird Pepper, Capsicum, Chili Pepper, Cockspur Pepper, Goat’s Pepper, Pod Pepper, Red Pepper, Spanish Pepper, Zanzibar Pepper, Cayenne.

Cautions - Taken internally to aid digestion, red peppers should be consumed slowly to avoid distress. Be careful to avoid getting capsicum products in the eyes, as this can be extremely painful. Prolonged application to the skin can cause dermatitis and raise blisters. Excessive consumption can cause gastroenteritis and kidney damage.

Capsicum in larger sizes


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