Title: Medicinal Uses of Chiles- Pt 2
Categories: Spice Info
Yield: 1 Servings

1

Text file

So much for the corrections, on to new stuff.

People are questioning the use of chiles to cure ulcers. This remedy is well founded in the cultures of many peoples too numerous to ignore. Ayurvedic medicine firmly believed in the chiles' ability to heal stomach ulcerations, as do Native American, South American, and Mexican. It is debated as to this is due to one of two (possibly more) effects. Theory one (Naj, et al) suspects that the protection is derived from an increase in the mucous production. Thickening of the mucous in the stomach causes a protective barrier, lessening the effects of irritations. Theory two is that the chiles effect on the stomach is to cause an increase in the thickness of the stomach lining itself causing it to be less susceptible to injury. It is this latter theory that is the basis for using them to 'cure' ulcers rather than 'prevent' them. A gradual thickening of the stomach overheals the affected aea in much the same way chiles are used to heal over external cuts. Certainly, there is much debate over this item and further research is needed. In the case of bacteria induced ulcers, chiles have a dual effect. Chiles are high in Vitamins A & C which are both noted for the anti-septic properties. Chiles also are suspected to increase the production of stomach acids. High acid levels are deleterious to bacterial growth whcih we all know is the reason we use vinegar in our sauces to achieve shelf-stability.

On PMS: I believe the lady has it correctly that the relief of PMS comes from the Endorphin release although there is certainly the possibilty of other factors coming into play. Aside from the documented pysiological/psychological effects of endorphins, chiles are high in compounds known as bioflavinoids. These compounds (as cited by Shari Lieberman and Nancy Brunning in The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book) are powerful anti-inflammitories. Feeling bloated? Eat a chile. While it might not be that simple, evidence exists to suggest that it just could be that simple. Bioflavinoids are also noted to help blood vessel walls strengthen and lessen bleeding. This could be another source of the relief. Chiles are also cited by nearly every homeopathic and home remedy book to be able to reduce inflamations. Chiles are believed by many peoples to achive this effect through a normalizing of blood pressures and blood flows in the body. Chiles are also noted to be relatively hich in magnesium. Some time ago, bananas were touted as the ultimate cure for PMS when it was found that potassium helped to relieve the symptoms associated with PMS. Magnesium comes from the same family on the periodic table and potentially could mimic this effect.

On cancer: While this is certainly an area of much debate and conflicting opinions, one thing is agreed upon by even the rather conservative American Cancer Society- a healthy diet seems irrefutably correlated with preventing many kinds of cancer. The citations of the effects of Vitamins A & C (both of which are abundant in chiles) on many forms of cancer are too numerous to even begin to list here. Questions are even being raised on the ability of these vitamins to reverse the effects of some cancers.

On infection control: Vitamins A & C are both noted to have strong anti-septic qualities against some forms of bacteria.

On having reviewed this note, I suspect that it should have been further broken down into several parts but I must write where I find the time. Currently I am house bound with a mild case of food poisoning and trying to make something positive out of it. I truly wonder how many people have read to this point and believe that this post probably sets a record for length- sorry. As mentioned earlier I am not equipped to debate specific points in this but have instead tried to provide a sysnthesis of many different books. Chiles are not my full time occupation, firefighting is. I will attest only to the fact that I have reliably reported what I have found in them, NOT the statements they make. Here is a partial listing of the books used in compiling this information:

The Herb Book- John Lust Peppers, A Story of Hot Pursuits- Amal Naj The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book- Shari Lieberman & Nancy Brunning A Modern Herbal- Mrs. M. Grieve Back to Eden (revised edition)- Jethro Kloss Hoosier Home Remedies- Varro E. Tyler

Thanks for your time & I hope this has been of some help. See you all at the Fiery Foods Show where (by the way) I have a hot sauce in the finals of the Habanero catagory.

Jim Campbell Mild to Wild Pepper & Herb Co.

From: Mwph2hot Date: 21 Jan 97 Chile-Heads List Ä

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