Herb Directory
Cayenne
Alternative Name:
capsicum annuum
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) has a fascinating history that spans continents and millennia. Native to South and Central America, it was cultivated in Mexico around 7,000 years ago and in Peru about 4,000 years ago.
For 9,000 years, Native Americans have used cayenne both as a food and a medicine, treating stomach aches, cramps, gas, and circulatory disorders.
Introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century, it gained prominence in Samuel Thompson’s alternative medical remedies during early American history. The word “cayenne” likely stems from the Old Tupi language, meaning “capsicum.”
Today, cayenne remains a popular spice, known for its piquant flavor derived from the chemical capsaicin.
Products that use this herb
