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Cayenne
Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
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This information describes the common uses of Cayenne, how it works, and its possible side effects.
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
What is it?
Cayenne is a kind of hot pepper that has capsaicin and other nutrients. It is used as a spice in many cultures around the world. Cayenne pepper is also used in traditional medicine to improve digestion (the way your body breaks down food) and blood circulation.
Cayenne supplements come as capsules, powders, and liquid extracts.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
Cayenne is used to:
Improve digestion
Improve blood circulation
Manage type-2 diabetes
Help you lose weight
Cayenne also has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.
It’s generally safe to add cayenne peppers to vegetable or meat dishes. You can also add ground cayenne pepper to soups, curries, or stews. Talk with your healthcare providers before taking cayenne supplements. Herbal supplements are stronger than the herbs you would use in cooking.
They can also interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.
What are the side effects?
Side effects of using cayenne may include:
Sweating
Eye or nose irritation
Stomach irritation
Stomach pain
What else do I need to know?
Talk to your healthcare provider before using cayenne if you have high blood pressure or heart conditions. It may make these conditions worse.
In breastfeeding women, using cayenne may turn the baby’s skin red.