Cayenne pepper, or red pepper, has a history spanning back over 9,000 years to the hot regions of South and Central America. It is called “cayenne” because these peppers were first found on a shrub in a town of that name in French Guiana on the coast of South America.

Cayenne pepper wasn’t introduced to other areas of the globe until Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan encountered the peppers during their voyages. Christopher Columbus brought the red pepper back to Europe, where people were quick to adopt the spicy vegetable as an alternative to black pepper, a very expensive spice during that time, because it had to be imported from Asia. Ferdinand Magellan introduced cayenne pepper to Asian and African citizens, who immediately saw the vegetable’s value as both a foodstuff and as a natural medicine. Today cayenne peppers are grown in many regions of the world, with Mexico, Spain, China, and Nigeria being the largest commercial producers.

A member of the Capsicum family of vegetables commonly known as chili peppers, cayenne pepper is popular with both amateur cooks and gourmet chefs because it can add zest to virtually any dish. Cayenne peppers are a vegetable of the nightshade family, which also includes white potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. These peppers are an excellent organic source of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, the B-complexes, and Vitamin C. They are rich in potassium and calcium as well.

Used by medical practitioners for centuries, cayenne pepper is enjoying an increase in popularity in Western cultures because of its amazing health benefits. Cayenne pepper is full of capsaicin, which is a pungent, resinous substance that gives the red pepper its heat. When applied externally to skin, the capsaicin allows the body to release more neurotransmitters and temporarily inhibit the pain nerves. This makes cayenne pepper extremely valuable to those suffering from fibromyalgia muscle pain and rheumatoid arthritis pain. Others have reported that using cayenne pepper topically has helped with the nerve pain from shingles. Capsaicin not only reduces pain, but its peppery heat can also clear mucus from a stuffy nose and or congested lungs.

Cayenne pepper is believed to also have health benefits if taken internally. Folklore from around the world reports that cayenne pepper can help soothe the digestive tract by reducing the pain of gas, cramping, and stomachaches. Researchers are currently testing cayenne pepper's potential for helping people lose weight and lower cholesterol.

Many alternative medical practitioners believe that cayenne pepper is the most valuable and useful vegetable. For individuals wishing to take cayenne pepper internally, it is suggested that they try supplements rather than raw pepper. It is important to remember that the seeds of the red pepper can be toxic and should not be consumed.