Last week, I wrote a post on how to survive a heart attack while it’s happening. Cayenne has been used over and over to stop heart attacks fast. It’s a great idea to keep cayenne on you everywhere you go in case you need it or happen upon someone that does.
You can keep a small pouch of cayenne powder or capsules with you in your wallet or purse, but you can also carry cayenne tincture.
Ways To Use A Cayenne Tincture
Cayenne may be effective for heart attacks, but there are also many other ways to use it as a home remedy and for good health.
Cayenne stimulates every cell in the body. It is also an astringent, antispasmodic, antibacterial, and excellent for the circulatory system. It contains minerals, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherols, all of which are essential to good health. [1] Here are ways to use this herb:
- Headaches – This is the way I use cayenne the most. I typically place cayenne powder in water and stir (read instructions here), but you can also place a few drops of cayenne tincture in water and consume it that way
- Helps veins, capillaries, and arteries regain their elasticity.
- Regulates blood flow from head to feet.
- Acts as a catalyst for other herbs, which basically means that when you pair it with other herbs, it increases the effectiveness of those herbs.
- Can lower blood pressure when combined with garlic.
- Can heal arthritis.
- Natural pain killer
- Heals hemorrhoids
- Aids digestion
- Heals stomach ulcers
To use a cayenne tincture for one of these internal ailments, simply add a few drops to a glass of water. Add more or less depending on how strong you need it. Some people may find that they need a stronger dose than others. Repeat a dose when needed.
Add a few drops of cayenne tincture to other herbal tinctures as a catalyst to increase their effectiveness.
Add cayenne to salves, lotions, or coconut oil to apply externally for varicose veins, pain, arthritis, hemorrhoids, etc.
How To Make A Cayenne Tincture
Making a tincture is very simple! All you need is cayenne peppers, vodka, and a jar. Making this with vegetable glycerin would not make as strong of a tincture as the alcohol because peppers are a hard herb and the alcohol does a much better job of breaking it down.
Ingredients
- Cayenne peppers, fresh or dried
- Vodka
- Jar with lid
Directions
- Place cayenne peppers in a jar. If using fresh, fill the jar; if using dried peppers, fill the jar halfway.
- Pour vodka over the peppers to the top of the jar, leaving a 2-inch headspace.
- Cover jar with a lid.
- Set jar in a dark, cool cabinet for 4-6 weeks.
- Shake the jar daily or at least once a week.
- After 4-6 weeks, strain the peppers from the liquid.
- Bottle the liquid and store in the cabinet.
Note: Alcohol tinctures are good for 2-5 years.
Buy organic cayenne powder here.
Buy cayenne capsules here.
Rather buy a tincture than make it? Buy cayenne tincture here.
Have you ever made a cayenne tincture or used cayenne as a home remedy?
References
- Cayenne Pepper 30/40K – Powder, Organic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2016, from http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Cayenne-Pepper-30-40k-Powder-Organic
What is the dosage please?
Hi, Linda! It depends on the situation you need it for, and how each person responds to it. If placing cayenne tincture directly in the mouth, I would add a few drops at a time, and repeat the doses until the desired results were achieved. But if adding it to water, I would personally start out with a few drops to 1/2 tsp. or so. Overall there’s not a wrong or right dose. When I have a headache, sometimes a few sips of cayenne water will relieve it, and other times I have to sip it off and on all day to really get rid of it. I hope that helps! Thanks for the question!
Jill recently posted…How to Survive a Heart Attack While It’s Happening
I take other tinctures 2x/day. Can I take the cayenne tincture at the same time or should it be taken separately? Thanks!
Cayenne boosts the effectiveness of other herbs, so I believe at the same time would be extra beneficial. 🙂
Jill recently posted…How to Survive a Heart Attack While It’s Happening
Great! Thanks for your patience!
Hi! I was wondering about how many fresh cayenne peppers should I use?
Hello! It depends on how big the peppers are and what size jar you are using! You just want to loosely pack whatever jar you are using. I hope that helps!
Jill recently posted…How to Reduce Water Retention in Pregnancy
Is the tincture better than the powder and is it more more potent?
Hello! The tincture is a more concentrated form and would most likely enter the system faster, but powder would work as well if that is all that’s available!
Jill recently posted…How To Make Essential Oil Hand Sanitizer That is Actually Safe for Your Kids
Hi Jill!
Almost a year now I tried to make my own cayenne tincture, but I didn’t blend the cayenne peppers I just put them in the jar and whole. I wasn’t sure what to do with them after. Do I blend them or is it the liquid that’s considered the tincture? Would it still be good to use it now after all this time?
Thank you I would really appreciate any feedback!
Hey Alejandra! Great to hear from you! You are not supposed to blend the cayenne peppers. When you strain the liquid, you discard the peppers – the liquid is your tincture (herbal medicine)! I have actually done that too – left a tincture brewing for a year! haha I personally discarded it because I’m just not sure if it would be OK. Alcohol tinctures are not supposed to brew for longer than 8 weeks, but the average time is 4-6 weeks. I would discard it and start over. Let me know if I can be of further help!
Jill recently posted…Ashwagandha Smoothie For Improved Energy, Sleep, Libido, and More
Hi Jill,
I have Red Pepper flake that I use for cooking. Can I make Cayenne tincture with this flakes? just by adding Vodka? I am going to use the tincture for my dog-seems to have soft, but looks swollen belly. Thank you!
Hi, Clara! I don’t believe those red pepper flakes would be as effective. I would go with fresh cayenne peppers or the actual dried cayenne pepper. Best wishes!
Nice Work
Hello. I’ve been using habernero tincture that a friend made, and it’s very good used in a hot drink. We have been juicing ginger roots, & using 1 Tbs ginger juice, 1 Tbs raw honey, & 20 drops of tincture per large cupful of hot water. I am recovering from Lyme’s disease, and this seems very beneficial to help clean my cells. My husband & I really enjoy this, and we have escaped all of the “bugs” this winter, so we feel that it’s been worthwhile to make it. My question is, is there a brand of vodka that is best for making tincture? I don’t use alcohol, so I have no idea if a certain kind is best. Thank you for your recipe.
I am a “retired” homeschool mom. I loved it, & my 5 children are all very thankful for their experience of learning at home.
Hi, Sue! It’s so nice meeting a fellow homeschool mom. 🙂 Thank you for sharing the recipe too! I have never heard of a certain brand of alcohol being best for tinctures, but there may be. I’ve just always gone with the least expensive. Thanks for the question!
Years ago when living in the USA, I made a cheyenne tincture recipes using 14 different peppers. Just some of the peppers were, jalapeno, Thai, halabenero, African peppers, pepper dick. Does anyone have that recipes. It was great for eye problems.
G’day Jill,
Glad I found your site.
My question being that have seen another alternative to Vodka and that was Apple cider vinegar, are you familiar with this recipe and if so would it be as potent.
Of course the apple cider vinegar would be a lot cheaper but how effective is my concern.
I use Cayenne powder (pepper) on my meals nearly everyday, but would like to have the tincture on hand especially whilst travelling the outback roads here in Oz land.
It would be much quicker and easier to take with water than trying to swallow powder or even mix it with water.
Cheers
Colin
You can substitute apple cider vinegar and allow it to infuse 2-4 weeks. The finished vinegar lasts about 6 months or so.