Make Your Own Cayenne Tincture!

Cayenne pepper, often hailed as a powerful spice, offers a myriad of health benefits. Rich in capsaicin, the compound responsible for its fiery flavor, cayenne exhibits potent antioxidant properties, which can help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Capsaicin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with conditions like arthritis and promoting overall joint health. Cayenne's ability to improve circulation and promote cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels underscores its significance in maintaining optimal well-being. Cayenne's stimulant properties may also help with weight management by boosting metabolism and suppressing appetite. Incorporating cayenne regularly into one's diet can contribute to a range of health benefits. Is there any reason not to take cayenne daily? Well maybe, the heat!

 Dr. Christopher was known to take a heaping teaspoon of cayenne mixed in a glass of water, three times a day. Of cayenne he said, "Cayenne is the purest and most certain stimulant, used medicinally and also as a condiment. This herb is a great food for the circulatory system. It feeds elements that may be lacking into the cell structure of the arteries, veins and capillaries to give them the elasticity of youth again, as the blood pressure adjusts itself to normal." 

Dr. Christopher and many herbalists find that one of the most important herbs is cayenne (Capsicum frutescens). Herbalist have used this herb as a stimulant for heart attacks, a blood pressure equalizer, to arrest bleeding, stimulate the circulatory system, used as a gastric and digestive aid, and as a powerful antiseptic. And finally, cayenne is used in tandem with other herbs as a synergistic herb to increase the power of the combination of herbs, thus resulting in something more effective than each herb alone. 

Make Your Own Cayenne Tincture

There are two kinds of tinctures. One is an alcohol tincture and the other is an Apple Cider Vinegar tincture. The alcohol tincture extracts well and has an indefinite life. The apple cider vinegar tincture extracts less, but enough, and does have a life of about 2 years if stored in the refrigerator. The Apple Cider Vinegar tincture is preferred by some. Below are instructions for both methods.  

Supplies:

• 1 quart glass mason jar & lid
• Cayenne powder, 40 mm heat (Use quality cayenne, I recommend you purchase it from an herb store or health food store)
•  Vodka, 100 proof = 50% (Can use Vodka, 80 proof = 40%)
• OR
• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother
• Kitchen scale
• Disposable rubber gloves
• Natural fiber cloth used for straining the herb
• Quart glass measuring cup
• 2 ounce tinted glass bottles with droppers
•  Small metal funnel

Cayenne Alcohol Tincture

• 120 grams of Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) powder, 40 mm heat
• 600 milliliters of vodka, 100 proof

Measure the Cayenne with a scale. Pour the Cayenne into the glass mason jar. Carefully measure the Vodka and pour it into the mason jar. Use a paper towel to clean the rim of the glass jar. Place the lid tightly on the glass jar. Shake well. This makes a Cayenne tincture with a ratio of Cayenne to alcohol that equals 1:5. Create a label for the jar that includes the following: Cayenne, 1:5, 50% and the date. Let sit. Shake daily for 2 weeks or more.

After 2 weeks strain the mixture. Use a quart glass measuring cup to catch the strained liquid. While wearing disposable rubber gloves, strain the cayenne from the alcohol using a natural fiber cloth. Throw away the marc or leftover cayenne. Using the liquid in the glass measuring cup, pour into 2oz tinted glass bottles. Screw on droppers. Label bottles. Cayenne Tincture, 1:5, 50% alcohol.

Dosage: 1/4 tsp, 3 times daily. After 3 days increase to 1/2 tsp, 3 times daily. Increase by 1/4 tsp daily as desired.

Cayenne Apple Cider Vinegar Tincture

• 120 grams of Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) powder, 40 mm heat
• 600 milliliters of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Measure the Cayenne with a scale. Pour the Cayenne into the glass mason jar. Carefully measure the Apple Cider Vinegar and pour it into the mason jar. Use a paper towel to clean the rim of the glass jar. Place the lid tightly on the glass jar. Shake well. This makes a Cayenne tincture with a ratio of Cayenne to ACV that equals 1:5. Create a label for the jar that includes the following: Cayenne, 1:5, ACV and the date. Let sit. Shake daily for 2 weeks or more.

After 2 weeks strain the mixture. Use a quart glass measuring cup to catch the strained liquid. While wearing disposable rubber gloves, strain the cayenne from the ACV using a natural fiber cloth. Throw away the marc or leftover cayenne. Using the liquid in the glass measuring cup, pour into 2oz tinted glass bottles. Screw on droppers. Label bottles. Cayenne ACV Tincture, 1:5. Dosage: 1/4 tsp, 1 to 3 times daily. After 3 days increase to 1/2 tsp, 1 to 3 times daily. Increase by 1/4 tsp daily as desired.

Kelly Summers, is a Master Herbalist & Natural Healing Guide®. She knows that knowledge is empowering and deeply desires to share the insights she has learned through her continued journey of learning.

References

Chopan M, Littenberg B. The Association of Hot Red Chili Pepper Consumption and Mortality: A Large Population-Based Cohort Study. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 9;12(1):e0169876. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169876. PMID: 28068423; PMCID: PMC5222470.

Christopher, John R. Herb Syllabus: Master Herbalist Guide. (Christopher Publications, UT: 2010). 

McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ, O'Keefe JH. Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health. Open Heart. 2015 Jun 17;2(1):e000262. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2015-000262. PMID: 26113985; PMCID: PMC4477151.

Yamani N, Musheer A, Gosain P, Sarfraz S, Qamar H, Waseem MM, Arshad MS, Almas T, Figueredo V. Meta-analysis evaluating the impact of chili-pepper intake on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Sep 8;70:102774. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102774. PMID: 34603712; PMCID: PMC8463741.