Title: Medicinal Uses of Chiles- Pt 1
Categories: Spice Info
Yield: 1 Servings

1

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Well, here goes. Quite some time ago (late Spetember 96) I posted on the homeopathic uses of chiles. I had a lot of requests for additional information and also had a few corrections pointed out. I promised a continuation and here it is. It seems to be appropriate with the number of posts and threads currently up on the medicinal uses of chile for pms, infections, and ulcers. This will be a lengthy message so be prepared to read awhile.

Caveats: The information presented is a compilation of many books that I have read on the subject. A bibliography will appear at the end. This is also NOT a published treastise and will not use specific citations per APA guidelines, although credit will be given where credit is due. I am also not prepared to debate specific points, and might not be able to offer further clarification on specific items. I offer a synthesis of the information as I read it, and do not have the ability/time/energy to authenticate each item. My doctoral thesis will be on fire-fighting, not fire-promoting. This doesn't make me anti-chile, it just limits the amount of time I have to spend on this. One of the truly unique and special things about this list however, is that there is always someone else out there who knows just a little bit more about it than you do and is willing to contribute to the greater knowledge.

Corrections on the first post: (Credit to Cameron Begg, Brian Halsall, Eric Lewis DVM, et al)

1. In the first post, I mentioned that chiles were well know for their ability to increase the blood's clotting activity due to an increase in 'fibrolytic' activity. The correct term is "fibrinolytic" activity. One of the truly unique things about chiles is their ability to cause diametrically opposing results, such as a severe burning sensation AND a pain relief. In it's application to the blood, it seems to have a dual effect. Internally, it is noted for causing an increase in the aforementioned fibrinolytic activity which is a fancy way of saying it breaks up clots. As cited in Amal Naj's book Hot Pursuits, researchers in Thailand found that when Thai blood was compared to American blood, the American blood was much more prone to clots than the Thai's. When the American diet was adjusted to include our favorite fruit, an immediate drop in clotting was noted. Externally, when chile is applied to a cut it is noted to CAUSE clotting. Varo Tyler notes in his book Hoosier Home Remedies, that red pepper is applied directly to a cut to heal it. This is noted by others as well, including Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden. Locally, mid-wives are said to carry a bottle of Cayenne powder as an aid to stop post-partem bleeding. Our own Eric Lewis suspects that this is due to a dehydration action caused by the powder in the wound, or by providing a substrate to which the Fibrin can attach. He reports that cornstarch is used in much the same effect.

2. In the original post I stated that dried chiles loose some of their Vitamin C but gain in Vitamin A. That statement is a little misleading. It should be noted that the relative concentrations of each are effected, not as a direct cause-effect relationship. (Thanks Brian)

3. In the original post I stated that chiles increase mucous production and are thus used as an expectorant. I also noted (as per Dr Irwen Zimet via Amal Naj) that an esentially synthetic version of capsaicin (guafenesein) is used in most modern cough syrups. There was some discussion as to whether or not guafenesein was actually related to capsaicin. I will leave that for the chemists to debate. Discussion also centered on whether or not chiles actually increased mucous production inthe lungs or if it simply broke the surface tension making it easier to move. Sources can be found to support either viewpoint and I suspect that it is truly a little of both. That chiles are used to relieve lung ailments is certainly beyond doubt. Ancient Incas are said to have smoked dried pepper pods to cure lung ailments (I rather imagine it would be cured because you would have most of your lung coughed up on the floor in front of you!). Ayurvedic medicine suggested that it be inhaled through steaming water. When I grind my Habanero I can certainly attest to it's ability to clear the sinus and bronchial passages! Many Hoosier home remedies include an infusion of 'red pepper' to relieve both the symptoms of colds, which includes respitory congestion. From: Mwph2hot Date: 21 Jan 97 Chile-Heads List Ä

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