Marketing executives must love their spice. My father doesn’t have much in common with these dudes in the boardrooms, but cayenne pepper may be a universal favorite.

I’ve previously mentioned that my dad would give me a spoonful of raw honey with lemon and cayenne pepper for a sore throat. Maybe he should have trademarked the idea. From globalhealingcenter.com:

A powerful compound with many uses, cayenne pepper is currently gaining buzz for cleansing and detoxifying regimes such as the Master Cleanse, which uses the spice to stimulate circulation and neutralize acidity.

Ughh, why must the phrase “Master Cleanse” ever be uttered? I can just envision how this was pitched:

“The fitness community will be go gaga over this. Anybody want a sip of my tall, Carmel macchiato? I got two extra pumps of vanilla.”

The slick (and sleazy) suits aside, I find myself cooking with the powdered hot stuff almost daily. The impetus for my first shake as an adult may have been inspired by nostalgia, but it’s certainly a conscious health and flavor decision today. Unfortunately, with all the marketing speak, it can be tricky to decipher the true benefits of our ingredients.

Cayenne pepper has been used for centuries in eastern traditions and medical practices. Like my dad breaking it out for the sore throat, the spice has been used as a remedy for all kinds of ailments, including:

1. Upset stomach, ulcers, sore throats, spasmodic and irritating coughs, and diarrhea
2. Fungal infections
3. Migraine headache prevention
4. Allergies
5. Joint pain
6. Weight loss
7. Heart health

There is perhaps some science behind these ideas. A teaspoon of the spice has roughly 6 calories and contains both vitamin A and vitamin C. Even a small amount adds significant quantities of essential minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium and zinc. These minerals support important functions in the body, including heart and liver health and collagen synthesis. The capsaicin can boost metabolism, suppress appetite and support weight loss.

A miracle cure? No. But perhaps it doesn’t hurt to reach into our pantries before we reach into our medicine cabinets.

The central themes of our blog bubble up yet again – personal responsibility, trial and error, challenging conventional wisdom, asking questions, doing your own research and finally, parenting with love and hot peppers.  Just don’t expect a magic cleanse.

Kap