Powdered Capsicum, sprinkled inside the stockings, was a favorite prescription with Prof. Scudder for cold feet. This medicine possesses an extraordinary power in removing congestion by its action upon the nerves and circulation; if the skin is not broken.

Specific Indications and uses; - Marked depression and debility; atonic dyspepsia of drunkards; delirium tremens; colic, with abdominal distension; congestive chills; cold extremities, with blanched lips and small, weak pulse; congestion, with capillary atony; tongue dry and harsh, and buccal and salivary secretions scanty, in fevers; chronic haemorrhoids, from relaxation.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1/2-1 teaspoonful of Cayenne and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. A tablespoonful of this infusion should be mixed with hot water and drunk when needed.

Tincture: take 0.25-1 ml of the tincture three times a day or when needed.

Citations from the Medline database for the genus Capsicum

CayenneBuzzanca G Laterza S [Clinical trial with an antirheumatic ointment]

Clin Ter 1977 Oct 15;83(1):71-83 (Published in Italian)Coleridge HM Coleridge JC Luck JC Pulmonary afferent fibres of small diameter stimulated by capsaicin and byhyperinflation of the lungs.

J Physiol (Lond) 1965 Jul;179(2):248-62Collier HO McDonald-Gibson WJ Saeed SA Letter: Stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by capsaicin, ethanol, andtyramine.

Lancet 1975 Mar 22;1(7908):702de Smet PA A multidisciplinary overview of intoxicating snuff rituals in the western hemisphere.

J Ethnopharmacol 1985 Mar;13(1):3-49Desai HG Venugopalan K Philipose M Zaveri MP Kalro RH Antia FP Effect of red chilli powder on gastric mucosal barrier and acidsecretion.

Indian J Med Res 1977 Sep;66(3):440-8Escobar CH [Relationship between habitual consumption of chile and the presence of submucous fibrosis]

Rev ADM 1988 Nov-Dec;45(6):369-72 (Published in Spanish)Gabor M Endrenyi F [Changes in capillary resistance in inflammation caused by red paprika (Capsicum annum L. Solanaceae)]

Orv Hetil 1970 Aug 2;111(31):1818-9 (Published in Hungarian)Gill E [Percutaneous treatment of functional and organic cardialgia]

Med Welt 1974 Dec 13;25(50):2127-9 (Published in German)Glatzel H [Treatment of dyspeptic disorders with spice extracts]

Hippokrates 1969 Dec 15;40(23):916-9 (Published in German)Glatzel H [Blood circulation effectiveness of natural spices]

Med Klin 1967 Dec 22;62(51):1987-9 (Published in German)Glatzel H [Spice therapy of dyspeptic disorders. Experiences with a combination of spice extracts]

Z Allgemeinmed 1973 Oct 31;49(30):1456-60 (Published in German)Glatzel H Hackenberg K [Radiologic studies on the effect of capsicum spice and mustard on the motility and secretion of the digestive tract]

Dtsch Z Verdau Stoffwechselkr 1966 Dec;26(3):113-21(Published in German)Glatzel H Ruberg-Schweer M [Modification of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis by common spices]

Med Klin 1967 Jul 14;62(28):1086-8 (Published in German)Glatzel H Ruberg-Schweer M Regional influence on cutaneous blood flow effected by oral spice intake.