Re: [CH] peppers and blood pressure

Jim Campbell (mwph2hot@indy.net)
Sun, 25 Jan 1998 11:41:36 +0000 

Suzanne,
     Chile peppers are indeed believed to help blood pressure.  I'll get to that in 
a  minute, but first, the caveats....
     Chile pepper, specifically Cayenne, has been widely used in homeopathic 
circles for hundreds of years.  It is also been used by cultures as diverse as 
the Aztecs, Indies, and Native Americans.  The use of chiles as medicine has 
accompanied them wherever they go.  There is much research going on (re 
the last few posts from Mike Bowers) concerning the use of chiles in specific 
medical applications.  There seems to be a bit of a lag between the common 
use of chiles as medicine, and 'modern' science investigating and validating 
these uses.  The following information is based on a compendium of sources.  
Take it or leave it as you wish since it has not been validated by 'modern' 
medical circles.... 
     Chiles are believed to assist blood pressure in a couple of different ways.  
Chiles are believed to increase peripheral circulation.  This is believed to be 
caused be dialation of the peripheral blood vessels.  This effect is in essence 
to cause relative hypovolemia, thus lowering blood pressure.  Restrictions 
are removed, giving the blood more area to fill.
     A second way in which chiles are beleived to help blood pressure is by 
strengthening the vessel walls.  Chiles are high in Vitamins A, C, and 
Bioflavinoids.  In addition to being necessary nutrients for healthy cell 
growth, they are also excellent free radical scavengers.  Free radicals are 
incomplete bits of molecules that have an open bond.  they will by there very 
nature, fill that bond attaching to whatever makes them feel complete.  In 
attaching, they create new compounds which are not always beneficial.  In 
providing a ready 'disposable' source of materials, chiles are indeed believed 
to help rid the body of toxins.  Mind you, this is an extreme simplification of 
the process.
     A third way in which chiles help blood pressure is by the momentary 
boost they give to the metabolic system.  Chiles induce a slight rise in heart 
rate and respiration- same as exercise though not as intense.  This in turn 
helps the vessel walls become more elastic and better able to adjust to 
differences in pressures.
     The fourth way in which chiles help blood pressure is closely related.  
Chiles cause sweating in most individuals.  Any loss of fluid from the body is 
going to diminish overall blood volume- thus and so we have dehydration.  
Again, a decrease in volume is going to (at least initially) lower blood 
pressure.  (Should it be too severe a loss however, the body cranks up blood 
pressure in order to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs.)
     Even with modern medicine it falls to us to apply our own set of bs screens 
to any information.  Apply yours to this as you need.  For yet some more 
information on chiles as medicine, check any of the URLs recently posted or 
visit Graeme Caseltons page.

Hope this helps!

-Jim Campbell
http://www.wildpepper.com