Recently a gym friend, told me quite forcefully, to start using cayenne pepper everyday. She has recommended a range of natural products to me and generally I have smiled politely and ignored her. This time she told me and so I made a mental note to actually try. Of course, on searching my cupboards I couldn’t find any, that doesn’t mean its not in there, I can picture it somewhere. Well even if I found it, it would probably be long expired, can such things expire? I tend to pretend not, but they probably do. I probably need to throw away most of my spice jars, but I know I probably won’t until the kitchen has a major overhaul. and even then I will probably deem them to be fine.
So back to the cayenne, I now had to buy some, it took me all week to actually find some, a combination of me forgetting and shelves being empty where it should be. Eventually I had it, my magic jar. Such anticipation, I was told a teaspoon in water three times daily. Okay, I was ready, I tried to fill my spoon, it was too big for the jar and so I poured it out, getting it everywhere as I do, I could only find a clean large class, so I added too much water, it turned orange and smelt of the earth, I raised it to my nose, thinking, how bad can this be.
Oh my! What a potion! It burned, hot like a raging pepper, why was I surprised by this, this is what it is. It was hard to swallow but I got it all down and then began to wretch and burp, my head over the sink, expecting to throw it all back up. It was not nice! That’s an understatement. I am usually good at swallowing anything, but this was truly horrid. Once my stomach and head had settled down, I felt a warmth all through my throat, it actually felt nice. I could feel my throat tingling and numbing, it felt like I had just used my throat spray and my nasal first defence. Good to know I can use this instead of paying more for products. Later I felt burpy and farty, but I can’t be sure it was the cayeene, it may have been my estrogen patch. Apparently it is good for inflamation so I vowed to try it for a while and see.
My mum was suffering with the flu, I rang her and told her to try it, I think she may now be addicted, it definitely helped her head and throat. For me, days later now I can believe in it for my throat and nasal symptoms, I currently have raging tonsils and it is helping it to feel better, that glass ripping sensation eases for a time. Whether it helps with anything long term, I shall have to wait and see. Taking it regularly can be hard, I simply forget, unless my throat hurts and then I crave it. I use a shot glass now, and though I still make a mess I have laid out a tile for it next to the sink, my own cayenne station.
When I look up cayenne and its uses, it has very clear beneficial health benefits. At Christmas my mother gave me a pot of turmeric and cracked pepper, and I sighed. She always has a potion in mind to help me. Years ago when turmeric became popular, I watched a tv show that explored health benefits and different things, with real doctors and research teams. Dr Michael Mosley was on it, they ran different groups over time and compared the results, Mosley summed up the research as, well if you enjoy turmeric, go for it it won’t hurt you, but there is no evidence that it does anything.
With this in mind I always take suggestions of spices with a pinch of whatever it may be. This one I find soothing and will see overtime if it does anything else.
Go on get gulping!
Chris.xx
Living With ME 