Hot peppers were brought to Europe from America after its discovery by Columbus, along with potatoes, tomatoes and corn. All these outlandish plants took root on the European continent very quickly, and then spread throughout the world. It is hot peppers that are especially popular among many peoples, which are not only a spice, but also a medicine, the preparations of which are used in traditional and folk medicine.
Description of hot pepper
Capsicum hot pepper is an annual plant, its height does not exceed 60 cm. Today, there are many types of this pepper, differing from each other in the degree of pungency, appearance and minor taste nuances. Among them there are long-fruited varieties, the pods of which can reach 25-30 cm, and those whose fruits do not exceed 1 cm.
Pepper owes its pungent taste and pungency to the presence of alkaloids: capsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin and homodihydrocapsaicin. It is their properties that determine the characteristic effect of pepper on the body: its use accelerates the metabolism and heart rate, increases body temperature. Nutritionists have determined that the addition of hot hot pepper to a dish increases the rate of metabolic processes by 25%.
Capsicum contains vitamins C, P, B1 and B2, carotenoids, folic and niacin, essential and fatty oils, trace elements: potassium, sodium, calcium, mercury, manganese, iron and aluminum. It contains steroidal saponins, glycoalkaloid solanine, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin); coumarin scopoletin.
Hot peppers in cooking
In many countries of the world there are national dishes, which, as a mandatory ingredient, include hot hot peppers in fresh or dried and ground form. Without this pepper, it is simply impossible to imagine the national cuisines of Mexico, India, Southern and Eastern Europe. It is used as a spice, added to salads, first and second courses, baked, stuffed, fried and used for decoration. Hot peppers go well with meat, fish and vegetables. In addition, hot peppers are the basis of many spices and sauces, the famous Mexican "Tabasco" and Caucasian adjika, as well as bitter alcoholic liqueurs, are made from it.
From tincture of hot pepper, you can make a mask that strengthens and accelerates hair growth. Mix 1 tsp. tincture with 2 tablespoons of hair balm, apply to the roots, hold for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
The use of hot pepper in medicine
In traditional medicine, alcoholic tinctures, plasters, frostbite ointments and some other preparations are made on the basis of extracts from the fruits of hot pepper varieties, mainly for external local use.
For colds, mix ground red pepper with honey in a 1: 2 ratio and take 1 teaspoon several times a day with tea or water.
Alcoholic tinctures of hot capsicum have long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of colds, lotions and rubbing and are now used to treat colds, bruises, rheumatism, arthritis, pain in muscles and joints. It is eaten for weight loss, as it triggers metabolic processes and accelerates the breakdown and burning of fat cells.
