Tabasco Pepper, Cayenne pepper

Capsicum frutescens

Physical Characteristics

Capsicum frutescens is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Probably native of the Tropics, but the original habitat is obscure.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment Fruit - raw or cooked[34, 46, 132]. Very hot and normally used as a flavouring[183]. The fruit can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a flavouring[142]. The fruit is up to 7.5cm long and 1cm wide[200]. Seed - dried, ground and used as a pepper[2]. Leaves - cooked as a potherb[183]. Some caution is advised, see note at top of the page.

Medicinal Uses

Anaesthetic Antihaemorrhoidal Antirheumatic Antiseptic Carminative Diaphoretic Digestive Irritant Rubefacient Sialagogue Stimulant Stomachic Vitamin C The dried fruit is a powerful local stimulant with no narcotic effect, it is most useful in atony of the intestines and stomach[4]. It has proved efficacious in dilating blood vessels and thus relieving chronic congestion of people addicted to drink[4]. It is sometimes used as a tonic and is said to be unequalled in warding off disease[4] (probably due to the high vitamin C content[K]). Some caution should be employed, however, since large doses are extremely irritating to the gastro-intestinal system[268]. Used externally, the fruit is a strong rubefacient stimulating the circulation, aiding the removal of waste products and increasing the flow of nutrients to the tissues[254]. It is applied as a cataplasm or liniment[4]. It has also been powdered and placed inside socks as a traditional remedy for those prone to cold feet[254]. A weak infusion can be used as a gargle to treat throat complaints[268]. The fruit is also antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue and stomachic[7, 165, 171]. These pungent fruited peppers are important in the tropics as gastrointestinal detoxifiers and food preservatives[238]. The fruits contain 0.1 - 1.5% capsaicin[254]. This substance stimulates the circulation and alters temperature regulation. Applied to the skin it desensitizes nerve endings and so has been used as a local anaesthetic[254]. The seed contains capsicidins[254]. These are thought to have antibiotic properties[254]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Capsicum for muscular tension, rheumatism (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Known Hazards

Although no reports have been seen for this species, many plants in this family produce toxins in their leaves. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister[200]. Avoid in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants and antihypertensive drugs [301].