• Cayenne pepper offers a range of health benefits.chili pepper 1 image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
  
  Cayenne pepper is high in the compound capsaicin, which creates the hot flavor in all chili peppers. Aside from its delightfully hot flavor, cayenne pepper has a wide range of health benefits when consumed as a food, and the isolated compound capsaicin is also used as an ingredient in some mainstream medications.
  
  

Herbal Medicinal Benefits

• The heat in chili peppers improves blood circulation, providing cardiovascular benefits and also alleviating congestion by clearing mucus. This thermogenic (heat producing) quality can help to stimulate weight loss as well. Cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties and can be applied topically to prevent infection and ingested to fight stomach ailments such as ulcers. Capsaicin can also be used as an anti-inflammatory agent.
  
  

Nutritional Benefits

• Cayenne pepper is high in vitamin A, which contributes to the health of mucus membranes and epithelial tissues, helping to boost immunity. It is also rich in beta-carotene, which acts as an antioxidant and may reduce your risk of certain cancers, including colon cancer. Cayenne pepper is rich in vitamin C, and can be a powerful tool for fighting colds. It is high in dietary fiber, vitamin B6, manganese and vitamin K, as well.
  
  

Potential problems

• The potent spiciness of cayenne pepper can cause problems as well as benefits. Although cayenne pepper's antibacterial properties can be helpful in fighting stomach ailments such as ulcers, the herb should be used in moderation, because excessive consumption can irritate the digestive tract. People with chronic ulcers should consult their health care practitioners before using cayenne pepper as a treatment. If you are particularly sensitive to spicy foods, you should start with a small amount of cayenne pepper and see how it affects you. In addition, cayenne pepper belongs to the nightshade family, which can be allergenic and may exacerbate arthritis symptoms.