Drinking cayenne pepper tea may sound like torture to some, but it provides some surprising health benefits, along with its bite!
What is Cayenne Pepper Tea?
Cayenne pepper tea is a spice-based tea made from the dried and powdered cayenne pepper, scientifically known as Capsicum annum. Many people use cayenne pepper as a dry spice to give a kick to their meals, but they don’t realize that they can also brew that powdered spice into a powerful tea. The active ingredients in cayenne pepper, capsaicin, functions as a powerful antioxidant within the body, and is actually anti-inflammatory in nature, even though eating a cayenne pepper may make your mouth feel like it’s on fire. Despite the fact that research on capsaicin is limited, peppers containing this compound have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. This tea can be brewed either hot or cold, for internal or topical applications, respectively. [1] [2]
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your food for a spicy kick. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Benefits
The many benefits of cayenne pepper tea include its ability to do the following:
- Stimulate digestion
- Ease pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Ease nasal congestion
As contrary to logic as it seems, the main benefit of cayenne pepper tea relates to its anti-inflammatory abilities, which can help prevent chronic disease, sore throats, and even nasal congestion, as well as topical problems like psoriasis and eczema. [3]
The stimulant qualities of this particular tea are also excellent for digestion and can help you quickly eliminate symptoms of constipation, bloating, and cramping. This same stimulating effect drives better circulation, which means more oxygenation to the parts of the body that need it most. When it comes to chronic stress or anxiety, the active ingredients in this tea can alter the hormonal balance and keep your mood precisely where you want it. In terms of detoxifying the body, capsaicin has also been linked to detoxification properties, which can clean out your blood and prevent the buildup of toxins. [4] [5]
How to Make?
Spicy Cayenne Pepper Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Bring the water to boil, then take it off the heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cayenne pepper to a mug.
- Pour hot water over the powder and stir thoroughly.
- Once the cayenne pepper has dissolved, add the juice from 1/2 a lemon (to counter the heat).
- Cover with a plate for 5 minutes and let the tea steep.
- Drink while warm for best effects, but sip slowly
Side Effects
While the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this tea are undeniable, there can be some side effects, when taken in excesses, such as the following:
- Pregnancy related complications
- Gastrointestinal distress
Furthermore, if you start with too much pepper, it will be unbearably hot. Start slow and let your body acclimate to this new level of heat. Even a 1/4 teaspoon per day is enough to bring positive results, so use this tea in moderation!
