Capsicum has several names like- Capsicum annuum, bell pepper, and sweet pepper.
Contents
Habitat
Capsicum is a variety of the plant genus ‘Capsicum’ inherent to northern South America and southern North America. This species is common and widely cultivated in the types of domesticated capsicums. This plant can grow over various dry, humid, sub-arid, and sub-humid forests at 0-1000 m elevations or similar forest states. However, there 21 varieties are identified in the world.
Taxonomic information
Class: Dicotyledonae
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Capsicum
Species: Capsicum annuum
Description
The Capsicum looks like a bell and possesses four lobes. However, the long and tapered capsicum plants are becoming more famous for cooking. The Red capsicums are more delicious than the green ones, although they diminish fast. Its leaves usually are crinkled. These plants are highly productive but require lots of warmth to grow appropriately. The species grows by seed through natural farming, commercial cultivation, and animal consumption for hundreds of years.
Part used
The capsicum fruit comprises a chemical compound named capsaicin. The capsaicin shows analgesic properties.
Traditional Uses and benefits
Capsicum is accepted as an herbal supplement for post-herpetic pain therapy, diarrhea, clotting disorders, circulatory problems, digestion problems, neuralgias, fibromyalgia, and heart disease prevention.
- Capsicum is used as food ingredients in fresh and dried form.
- It is useful in diabetic neuropathy. It should be done using a skin patch.
- The lotions and creams containing capsaicin can temporarily reduce chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
- Implementing a patch comprising 8% capsaicin can reduce pain over 24 hours by 27%- 37% for nerve injury cases prompted by shingles.
- This plant shows inefficient and less efficient against stomach ulcers, obesity, joint pain, alcohol use disorder, and migraine.
- The Capsicum-annuum is also used in traditional medicines in various cultures.
Dosage and Precautions
Topical use:
Use 0.025% to 0.075% three to four times every day for a minimum of 4 weeks for analgesic effect on the skin surface.
Oral administration:
Oleoresin: 0.6-2 mg/dose orally.
Fruit: 30-120 orally 3-times regularly.
Tincture: 0.6-2 ml/dose orally.
In Prurigo nodularis3: Employ 0.025%-0.3% topically 4 to 6 times every-day.
Intranasal:
Migraine (Ausanil): spray 1 to 2 times into the nostril.
Toxicity
The Capsicum-annum is nearly non-toxic because the LD50 results hang in the dose area of 5-15g/kg of body weight. However, the 70% ethanolic extracts3 of Capsicum had a fatal dose (LD50) of 5492 mg/kg. Applying on the skin of children below two years can be harmful. Capsicum might influence blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Capsicum might also prolong bleeding during pre-post surgery.
Warning
The Capsicum is likely not safe to administered by mouth in massive doses or for extended periods. It can direct to more severe side effects like kidney or liver damage and increased blood pressure in exceptional events. It might enhance the chances of suffering in people with bleeding disorders. Don’t use it on cracked and damaged skin.
Reference
- Taxonomic information: Retrieved from the cabi.org website. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/15784#todescription
- Traditional Uses and benefits: Retrieved from the rxlist.com website. https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_capsicum/drugs-condition.htm
- Prurigo nodularis: Retrieved from webmd.com website. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-945/capsicum
DISCLAIMER
The content and information on newerapost are for information and educational purposes only. A guide to self-diagnosis and self-treatment is not intended and should not be used as a medical manual. Before beginning the use of any prescription medication and pursuing any self-treatment, all readers are urged to consult a physician. The information given in this article is intended to help you make informed decisions for your health. You must consult with your doctor before pursuing any natural remedies if you are under care for any health condition. Do not take any vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements without consulting your doctor if you are taking any medication. The website does not make a representation, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the information and does not accept any single responsibility for any errors or misuse.