Red capsicum
Capsicum annuum
Synonyms: Capsicum odoriferum, Capsicum violaceum, Capsicum annuum subsp. abbreviatum, Capsicum pomiferum, Capsicum frutescens var. acuminatum, Capsicum frutescens var. fasciculatum, Capsicum angulosum, Capsicum crispum, Capsicum annuum f. chlorocarpum, Capsicum pubescens, Capsicum tournefortii, Capsicum pyramidale, Capsicum petenense, Capsicum frutescens var. queenslandicum, Capsicum annuum var. fingerhuthii, Capsicum annuum var. cerasiforme, Capsicum annuum var. parvoacuminatum, Capsicum indicum var. conoideum, Capsicum annuum var. milleri, Capsicum annuum var. cordiforme, Capsicum conoideum var. oblongoconicum, Capsicum annuum var. bicolor, Capsicum chlorocladum, Capsicum milleri, Capsicum hispidum, Capsicum annuum f. leucocarpum, Capsicum ustulatum, Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum, Capsicum annuum var. minimum, Capsicum annuum subsp. acuminatum, Capsicum sphaerium, Capsicum hamiltonii, Capsicum hispidum var. glabriusculum, Capsicum abyssinicum, Capsicum cordiforme, Capsicum grossum, Capsicum annuum var. grossum, Capsicum narunca, Capsicum annuum var. pyramidale, Capsicum globiferum, Capsicum annuum var. fasciculatum, Capsicum longum, Capsicum frutescens var. grossum, Capsicum annuum var. luteum, Capsicum annuum f. erectum, Capsicum tomatiforme, Capsicum annuum f. pendulum, Capsicum annuum var. tetragonum, Capsicum grossum var. cerasiforme, Capsicum annuum var. purpureum, Capsicum fasciculatum, Capsicum annuum var. aviculare, Capsicum micranthum, Capsicum oliviforme, Capsicum frutescens var. cerasiforme, Capsicum frutescens var. glabriusculum, Capsicum annuum var. conicum, Capsicum annuum var. leptoceras, Capsicum frutescens var. abbreviatum, Capsicum annuum f. nigrum, Capsicum sonitpurense, Capsicum silvestre, Capsicum annuum var. globiferum, Capsicum dulce, Capsicum annuum f. luteum, Capsicum nigrum, Capsicum curvipes, Capsicum globosum, Capsicum ceratocarpum, Capsicum annuum var. longum, Capsicum axi, Capsicum quitense, Capsicum annuum var. weinmannii, Piper indicum, Capsicum annuum var. ceratocarpum, Capsicum annuum var. conoides, Capsicum bauhini, Capsicum conoideum var. chordale, Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum, Capsicum ovatum, Capsicum frutescens var. conoides, Capsicum annuum subsp. microcarpon, Capsicum caerulescens, Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, Capsicum indicum var. aviculare, Capsicum odoratum, Capsicum cydoniforme, Capsicum luteum, Capsicum frutescens var. longum, Capsicum annuum var. pendulum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum conicum, Capsicum conoideum, Capsicum cereolum, Capsicum minimum, Capsicum tetragonum, Capsicum torulosum, Capsicum annuum var. subconicum, Capsicum annuum var. nigrum, Capsicum annuum var. angulosum, Capsicum comarim, Capsicum annuum var. oblongoconicum, Capsicum annuum f. violaceum, Capsicum bicolor, Capsicum conoideum var. sulcatum, Capsicum velutinum, Capsicum purpureum, Capsicum cerasiforme
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Capsicum annuum is a herbaceous to somewhat woody plant of the nightshade family, grown as an annual in temperate regions but persisting as a short-lived perennial in the tropics, typically 0.5 to 1.5 m tall. The stems are branching and angular, bearing alternate, smooth, ovate to lance-shaped leaves on slender stalks. The flowers are usually solitary in the leaf forks, with a white (sometimes purplish) star-shaped corolla and yellowish anthers. The fruit is a many-seeded berry varying enormously among cultivars in size, shape, colour, and pungency, from large sweet bell peppers to small fiery cayenne and chili types; pungency comes from capsaicinoids concentrated in the placental tissue. Native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, where it was domesticated in antiquity, it is now cultivated worldwide both as a vegetable and spice.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Capsicum was domesticated in Mesoamerica and used medicinally throughout the Americas. Among Native North American peoples the Cherokee used it as a stimulant, a warming poultice, for gastrointestinal complaints, and against colds, while the Navajo applied it in pediatric and gynecological care (Moerman, 1998). In Eclectic Western practice cayenne (Capsicum) was a leading diffusive stimulant and rubefacient counterirritant employed for sluggish circulation, atonic dyspepsia, and externally for pain, an action attributable to capsaicin (King's American Dispensatory; Felter & Lloyd, 1898). It also features in Mesoamerican and Ayurvedic folk medicine as a warming carminative.
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.