#cayenne health benefits

 How to dry Chili Peppers, 5 health benefits and a remedial use for them!

To sun dry

1. Pick good quality peppers and give them a rinse in cool water
   
2. Cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds (you can dry these separately if you like)
3. Place them down on a baking tray/tin making sure to put the skin side facing up. Ridged bottom trays are best as they let air get underneath more easily.
4. Dry them in direct sunlight for at least 8-9 hours and cover them at night with a cloth so no flies or bugs get to them.
5. When they break apart easily in your hands they are ready to be put into a clean sterilized jar. (You can sterilize a jar by gently boiling it in a pan of water)
6. You can keep them as they are or rehydrate them before using them with water to help release more flavour. They can also be cut into smaller strips, diced or ground into a powder.

To oven dry

1. Rinse the peppers in cool water
2. Cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds
   
3. Place them down on a baking tray/tin making sure to put the skin side facing up. Ridged bottom trays are best as they let air get underneath more easily.
   
4. Simply preheat the oven on a low heat, 45 Celsius on a fan oven, 80 Celsius on a gas oven. 104 Fahrenheit - 176 Fahrenheit
5. Place the trays in the oven and cook for 6-7 hours, drying time may vary though however once they start to turn brown they are done. Keep a close eye on them every so often to make sure they do not burn!
6. They can be kept in a brown paper bag or in a clean jar

5 Health benefits of Chili Peppers such as Cayenne 

• Very high levels of Vitamin C, 100g Gives 240% of your daily recommended allowance. This helps to boost the immune system and keep colds and infections at bay and to fight them once they occur.
  
• Capsaicin  the compound that gives a chili it’s strong spicy flavour and pungent smell has been shown to be anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic and to reduce bad cholesterol. It also has anti-inflammatory effects.
• The antioxidants present in Chili peppers help to reduce damage caused by free radicals especially those that occur from stress and disease. This not only helps to reduce aging but also general deterioration and reduce the risk of cancerous cells developing. 
• Certain minerals and compounds found within them can help to regulate and lower blood pressure along with improving poor blood circulation.
• Chili’s can greatly aid in weight loss by stimulating the metabolism due to it’s Capsaicin content.

A remedial use for Cayenne Chili Peppers - Sinus pain & congestion remedy

• Boil water for one cup
  
• Pour the water into a cup once it has settled a little
• Add ¼ of dried ginger (or a ginger teabag if you prefer)
• As much fresh lemon juice as you like, I recommend half a lemon
• ¼ teaspoon of dried Cayenne pepper
• You can add honey or infuse it with some lemon rind if you like
• Sip it slowly as it can leave a burning sensation in the back of the throat for a while. To help this consider eating some fresh mint to help soothe it and get even more cold fighting properties!

Cautions 

Avoid this if you allergic to Cayenne or other spices as it may contain the same allergen. 

If you have any notable conditions it may be worth checking with a Herbalist or Doctor before trying this remedy as it may interfere with certain medication due to the Capsaicin.

Just a few quick words, sorry I haven’t been as active this last couple weeks, I hope you are all well or as well as can be and as always feel free to drop me a message if you have a request for a herb/spice/plant overview or remedy.    Also my ask box is always open!

(: