History of Capsicum (cayenne Red Pepper)

Capsicum also known as cayenne pepper has been known to the natives of the tropical Americas for thousands of years. It was first introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus as Guinea Pepper and was originally used by Native Americans that were located south of the Mexican boarder as early as 700 B.C. The mixture of chocolate and red chilies was a taste treat that was reserved exclusively for Aztec royalty. Although the exact origin of the word Capsicum is somewhat a mystery, it is assumed to be derived from the Greek word kapto, which means to bite. Capsicum is a fruit found on a shrub-like tropical plant that is technically considered a berry. The designation of it as a pepper can be traced back to Columbus, who compared its hot taste sensation with that, a black pepper. Gerard referred to Capsicum as extremely hot and dry in 1597 and prescribed it to those with skin and throat infections. The health practitioners of the 1800s used Capsicum to counteract rheumatism, arthritis, depression, and chills. Capsicum was used in the early 1800s as a potent and safe natural stimulant and was believed to be able to treat a large array of diseases. It was first used orally to treat tumors, toothaches, fevers, and respiratory conditions. This cayenne red pepper was introduced to England by Dr. John Stevens in 1804 when it became the catalyst component in many herbal blends. Additionally, herbal and medical practitioners used Capsicum in order to fight infection and sustain the natural heat that the body produces. After, it became very well known in American dispensatories and pharmacopeia. In 1943, The Dispensary of the United States recorded Capsicum to be a powerful local stimulant that produces a sense of heat in the stomach and a general glow over the whole body when it is swallowed. It does all of this without having a narcotic effect. Physicians in the twentieth-century recognized the medicinal value of Capsicum. This caused the herb to find its way to the American Illustrated Medical Dictionary, the Merck Manual and Materia Medica, where it is named a rubefacient, local stimulant, counter-irritant, gastric stimulant, and diaphoretic. Mexican Indians today use Capsicum as an intestinal disinfectant and protectant against contaminated food and, additionally, to treat fevers. In the world today, this cayenne pepper is no more appreciated and more widely used than in Mexico and a few other Latin American countries, which together are the original home of all the peppers. Practically every dish the Indians eat both in the morning and evening include Capsicum, just as it was 2,000 years ago. These peppers are a wonderful source of essential vitamins in a diet that is otherwise lacking of them.Capsicum is a source of health and vitality in many countries which include the Bahamas and Costa Rica, in which it is used to treat colic and indigestion, in Africa for vascular disorders, and in North America as a tonic and natural stimulant. Currently undergoing a large variety of studies, Capsicum has emerged with an impressive list of actions. Scientists are currently taking notice and looking at Capsicum with a new respect and interest. Capsicum can be set apart from powerful pharmaceutical stimulants and pain killers because it possesses the potency without the delirious side effects.

Herbs are always favored by people as it supports the body’s natural healing mechanism without causing drastic side effects and problems. Herbal medicines are always been looked forward to as it brings hope to many people. The remedies include, increase in circulation, purifying the scalp and stimulating hair growth. It would take some time for the hair to grow but the effect is wonderful.

Here are few suggestions on how herbs can prevent the fall of hair and promote growth. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules with which to use.

Green tea- It is believed to be effective in preventing and treating male pattern type baldness. You can either drink several cups of green tea each day or take it in the form of capsules.

Rinsing hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea helps hair growth.

Aloe and birch leaves are excellent blood and skin cleaners which promotes in the growth of hair. Regular use of aloe vera gel is very effective when rubbed into the scalp and hair each night. The gel when mixed with wheat germ oil and coconut milk can also be used as a shampoo. This is particular effective for those suffering from male pattern type baldness.

Rosemary essential oil, a few drops rubbed into the scalp several times a week, repairs the damage, increases hair growth, and improves hair texture.

Rubbing the scalp with half an onion before washing hair encourages hair growth.

Other essential oils which improve hair growth and reduce hair loss include lavender oil, lemon oil, thyme oil, sage oil, jojoba oil and carrot seed oil.

Red pepper acts as a good promoter for hair growth. It draws blood and nutrients to the scalp and stimulates the growth of hair.

Henna is a traditional Indian herb that acts as a natural conditioner and is excellent for the maintenance of healthy hair.

Hair loss is treated in Ayurveda with a combination of diet, herbs, oil massage, meditation, aromatherapy, breathing and yoga as they believe hair loss is related to the balance of mind-body constitution.

Massage the hair with vitamin E oil as this may prevent or slow down the hair loss. You can also rub some coconut oil on your scalp and on the soles of your feet at bedtime. Keep in mind that massaging the scalp in general for a couple of minutes a day can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles.

Eat a handful of white sesame seeds every morning as they contain a lot of calcium and magnesium and take some yogurt everyday.

Eat adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, natural and lightly processed foods as often as possible. Following a nutritious diet is essential for good healthy hair.

Last but not the least exercising can improve blood flow, the delivery of oxygen to the cells of the body, and help the digestion of foods, all things that aid the health of hair follicles.

Hair loss is a nagging problem that can botch up your beauty. It is believed that every single individual has to experience hair loss problem in his or her entire life time. It is not an abnormal condition to lose 100 hairs per day. However, if it appears that your hair is getting thinner day by day, oh yes, it certainly matters.

If you see that you are losing excessive amount of hair, it is always better that you should consult your doctor before the time it gets worse. While considering about treatment for hair loss, most of the people prefer to look at an alternate option along with the conventional treatment.

When we talk about non-conventional option, it is certainly about natural hair loss treatment. Various manufacturing units with an offer for hair loss treatment claim to manufacture their products from pure natural and herbal extracts. However, not all the claims are true. In fact, many of these products are found to be toxic and harmful to hair and other parts of the body. Hence, depending solely on products that claim for natural hair loss treatment, it is always better to follow the essential guidelines corresponding to natural treatment without any possible side effects. This article explores the overview of the essential guideline associated with the natural treatment for hair loss.

Healthy Diet This is the most essential factors among the rest, if you are truly serious about a natural hair loss treatment, and you would like to offer yourself bouncing healthy hair. Hair without having healthy diet is next to impossible. Foods rich with mineral silica are perfectly beneficial for the health of hair. You can avail this nutrient from outer skin of plants like cucumber, sprout, potato and red pepper. Iron deficiency is considered as one of the major causes for premature hair loss. So foods high in iron can be taken where iron deficiency is diagnosed.

Essential Nutritional Supplements

Saw palmetto is considered as one of the most useful substances that functions as a useful supplement for natural hair loss treatment. The production of excessive male hormone, called dihydrotestosteron (DHT), is known to be one of major causes of developing male pattern baldness. Saw palmetto is effective in blocking DHT and hence providing protection against hair loss.

Few scientific studies confirm that saw palmetto functions almost in the same way as anti-androgenic drug acts in treating hair loss problems. Apart from that, biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), and vitamin B5 are helpful in maintaining good healthy hair.

However, it is always recommended that one should consult health practitioner prior to adopt any supplements in order to avoid any possible side effects.

Aromatherapy

Popularized in recent decades, however, aromatherapy has its roots as a natural hair loss treatment in various oldest civilizations like Egyptian or Vedic. According to the therapeutic strategies suggested in Aromatherapy, the combination of cedar wood, thyme, lavender, and rosemary essential oils mixed with grape seed oil and jojoba oil should be applied on the scalp in order to stimulate hair follicles. It will promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. This mixture should not be taken internally.

Ayurveda

Dated back to ancient ages, Ayurveda contributed in several health complications in a holistic fashion. According to the study of Ayurveda, the mixture of Bringraj and Brahmi oil can be proven beneficial as a natural hair loss treatment tonic if applied regularly on the scalp area. Others Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha and Amla are also known to stimulate hair growth. All of these herbs are useful for maintaining health of hair.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

According to TCM, it is believed that premature hair loss is directly associated with kidney deficiency syndrome. As the study suggests, the energy of kidney is gradually decreasing with time. As an individual grows with time, the power of kidney also declines, hence the growth of hair. But in case of premature hair loss, it is assumed that the suffering individual is having kidney problem, so kidney tonic is typically suggested.

One of the biggest desires in America or the world for that matter is to lose weight. But for some reason for many people it is very difficult to lose weight no matter what they try. Well one of the main reasons this is likely to be is that they are eating the wrong foods. These foods may include processed foods, soda, starchy foods, high meats and greasy foods to name a few. What do all of these foods have in common? They are not raw fruits or a vegetable, that’s what. Many raw fruits and vegetables have great fat burning properties that will have you losing the weight you want in no time. So if you want to lose some weight, try replacing some of the aforementioned food items with some raw foods.

Some of the best raw foods you can eat are obviously fruits and vegetables, but there are others such as seeds, nuts, grains, beans and sprouts. If you are trying to lose weight fast, you will want to know about some of the raw foods that have the best fat and calorie burning properties. For fruits, these include apples, grapefruits, mangos, pears, peaches, lemons and cherries. These vegetables are great for a midmorning or mid afternoon snack to stave off those hunger attacks. For vegetables, artichokes, brussel sprout, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, cucumber, red pepper, mushrooms and cabbage are all great foods to help promote fat and calorie burning. As far as herbs, garlic and parsley leaf are great additions to your raw foods to add additional flavor. One great meal that I have discovered is cabbage salad also often times called Chinese chicken salad. This salad is made primarily of cabbage, nuts and other vegetables and spices. The key to losing weight on a raw food diet is to find meals and snacks that you enjoy and will eat often.

The best part about a raw food diet is that you know you are putting very healthy foods into your body and as a result are shedding the pounds quicker than you ever did before. For even better results, working out at least 20 minutes every day or every couple days will help you shed the pounds even faster. While on a raw food diet you will also want to drink lots of liquids, namely water. You can also drink one hundred percent natural fruit juice as long as you know it is not processed. Odwalla is a great juice company that sells juices natural juices that you may want to check out. You may also want to consider using a juicer for squeezing out some delicious concoctions. One of my favorite fat burning concoctions is apple, carrot and orange. Juice these three delicious raw foods together and it is almost good enough to drink as a dessert.

If you decide to try a raw food diet to help your weight loss, the best thing to do is to do your research and then figure out what kind of foods and meals you would enjoy the most. Once you have a plan laid out, just have fun with it and don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your raw foods. Before you know it you will be shedding those pounds easier than you ever thought possible.

Jon Heus is the developer of Raw Food Weight Loss Diet, which can teach you all about healthy living with raw foods. If you have ever thought about a raw food diet, visit his site.

Do you feel like recharging your batteries by mid-afternoon?

Do you feel you should get a nap right around 3:00 p.m.?

What if you could drink something to help you get thought the rest of the day?

I’m not talking about reaching for a cup of coffee or a can of soda. I’m talking about something completely natural and fresh, that will not cause your teeth to get stained or your heartbeat to raise. A drink that will turbo charge your energy levels without giving you a headache, plus will supply you with essential vitamins and nutrients your body really needs.

Introducing the “Fountain of Youth Cocktail”.

Just mix in a liquefier the following ingredients with enough water to make it a liquid consistency:

4 oz. pineapple juice

3 large celery stalks

2 carrots

4 tablespoons of dry skimmed milk

6 almonds

2 tablespoons of wheat germ

6 apricots (pitted)

6 prunes (pitted)

2 medium sized oranges (peeled) — can be substituted with 1 fresh red pepper or 2 green peppers

Warning: Use only FRESH fruits. Do not use canned or frozen fruits, or you’ll get a headache.

Other benefits of the Fountain of Youth Cocktail are that it supplies you with a lot of Vitamin C and that it helps stimulate your eliminatory system.

You may like to start and finish your day with this delicious cocktail. Certainly the most convenient and suitable times of the day for it are around ten thirty in the morning and three o’clock in the afternoon.

So, next time you feel the business of the day has begun to sap some of your energy away, take a ten minute break and have a glass of the Fountain of Youth Cocktail and a little snack to go with it like some mixed nuts and raisins or a tablespoon of cottage cheese and a carrot. Try it and you’ll feel the difference!