Red capsicum is an indispensable seasoning. Capsicum aka red pepper capsicum

Who doesn't love spicy food? It is rare that someone does not additionally pepper the finished dish.

The topic of the article is red pepper, its benefits and harms. Red spice is very rich in vitamins and useful microelements.

Let's talk more about chemical composition hot pepper.

What is the use

It is worth noting that the benefits of using not only the pulp of peppers, but also seeds.

So, the composition of the bitter vegetable contains:

vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Moreover, this legume is the leader among vegetables in terms of vitamin C content. Which has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
vitamin E, which has a beneficial effect on the skin, increasing its elasticity;
B vitamins;
vitamin RR.

And many other important elements, without which the normal functioning of the body cannot be carried out.

Application

Chili spice is widely used for:

Improvement in digestion.
Acceleration of metabolism and blood circulation. Because of what it is widely used in the fight against cellulite. Increases body temperature, which accelerates the breakdown of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Baldness prevention. Again thanks to its ability to increase blood flow.
Normal functioning of the female genitourinary system.
Antioxidant effect on the skin. Women who prefer spicy foods have been proven to keep their youthful appearance longer..
Diet food. The calorie content of pepper is only 40 kcal / 100 gr. The average weight of 1 small pod is about 40-50 gr.
Facilitate the flow of critical days in women. Also applies when a loop fails. But to use spicy is strictly before the start of the cycle.
Control and reduce appetite. It has been proven that spicy food contributes to early satiety, plus not everyone can eat a lot of spicy food.
It has a beneficial effect on potency, which is valuable for men.

Capsicain is responsible for the spicy taste of peppers. The higher its content, the sharper the taste of the pod.

If there is no capsain in pepper, then it is the so-called paprika. At regular use paprika in food can be:

normalize blood pressure;
improve sleep;
drive away stress and depression;
cure mild forms of anemia;
get rid of malignant tumors;
thin the blood, congestion in any part of the body is harmful to health.

A spicy red vegetable is widely used in cosmetology. In the manufacture of hair care products. Irritating the scalp, causes a rush of blood to it. Which reduces hair loss and strengthens the bulbs.

For anti-cellulite products. As already mentioned above - accelerates the breakdown of fat. Below you can find effective cosmetic recipes using hot peppers.

Fat burning cocktail. Prepare a mixture of 250 ml of 1% kefir and spices. Beat with a blender and drink at night. The best spices are cinnamon, ginger and red pepper.

Do not forget that in order to achieve the best weight loss effect, you need to apply a set of measures. which includes proper nutrition and sports.

Vitaminizing hair lotion. Prepare pepper tincture. To do this, mix 1 part of pepper and 10 parts of medical alcohol. Let it brew in a dark room for 1 week.

Note: all procedures with a burning ingredient should be carried out strictly with gloves. Otherwise, the effect will be observed on the hands, and not at the place of application.

Add to ready-made cosmetic products for hair care.

Contraindications for use

Like any powerful drug, hot peppers has its contraindications. Namely:

It is strictly forbidden to eat in the presence of ulcers and severe forms of gastritis.
Do not apply to skin that has damage - wounds, scratches, inflammation.
Hypertensive patients should not eat spicy food..
It is not recommended to take a lot of spices during pregnancy and lactation. In the first case, it may end in the loss of a child.
Avoid hit of sharp mass on mucous membranes. Otherwise, you will get a severe burn of the delicate epithelium.

Good to know: you can get rid of annoying and painful burning sensation with the help of dairy or starch-containing products. For example, sour cream natural yogurt, potatoes, rice.

It is possible to relieve burning sensation on the skin by wiping the burned area with a cotton swab dipped in olive oil.

Harm

Side effects when using hot peppers:

Increased sweating.
Excessive irritation of the gastric mucosa. With uncontrolled consumption of a large amount of chile, there is a risk of developing gastritis.
Strong allergen. For those already allergic to bananas and kiwis, hot peppers are an allergic hazard.
With the help of blood thinning, it will enhance the effect of drugs taken at the moment. Thus, an overdose is possible.

When eating any food, it is worth remembering that everything is good in moderation. Any, even the most useful, product, if the dosage is exceeded, can harm the body.

How to prepare a tincture of capsicum red pepper for hair, see the following video:

Pepper, which has long been used by the American Indians, received the name chilli from the word "red". So this word sounds in one of the Aztec dialects. After tasting a burning spicy drink made from cocoa, vanilla and pepper called "chokolatl", the great traveler decided to bring the find to Europe, where the spice very quickly found its admirers. Why is spicy so useful capsicum that his images were preserved even on the temple bas-reliefs of the ancient Aztecs, we will now consider.

Hot chilli red pepper is actively used in cooking. It forms the basis of colorful Mexican food, is part of the Indian spicy curry, it is added to sauces, tkemali, adjika, etc.

What are the benefits of hot chilli peppers?

A large amount of beta-carotene, B vitamins in red pepper improves the condition of blood vessels.
Vitamin C in hot capsicum is almost twice as much as in lemon. Moreover, in ripe red pepper it (vitamin C) is many times more than in green. And, as you know, vitamin C is the best assistant in the fight against colds.
This spice is widely used in medicine. The high content of capsaicin, which gives the pepper a fiery taste, is a reliable protection against pathogenic microbes and viruses. By eating it, you can protect yourself from infection during an epidemic, increase the body's immunity.
Using tinctures, plasters, ointments containing capsicum red pepper, neutralize joint and muscle pain. It is not for nothing that capsaicin has long been successfully used in pharmacology for the production of analgesics.
Reasonable use of red pepper in the diet increases appetite, stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, improves the functioning of the gallbladder and liver.

Contraindications

But, no matter how useful red pepper is, you should still be careful in its use. In large doses, it can injure the mucous membrane of internal organs and provoke. In order to somehow neutralize the burning sensation from pepper, you should not drink water, it is better to eat some yogurt or drink it with milk.

Many plants now grown in the garden are also used as a medicine. One of them is red capsicum. After the introduction of this plant in Europe in the 16th century, it spread everywhere and became a popular condiment. But unlike sweet bell pepper, its hot counterpart is not used as often. After all, not everyone can use it. And many people do not even know that, in addition to being used as a seasoning, red capsicum is also used as a healthy food. medicinal plant in medicine and cosmetology.

What is the name of red pepper

This plant comes from Mexico, the Indians cultivated it for several thousand years and used it instead of salt. After its appearance in Europe in the 16th century, it became known as Spanish pepper. After some time, the plant spread throughout Europe. It became known as Brazilian, Cayenne or Indian pepper. Stronger medicinal properties has common in tropical countries chili. It has small, brighter-colored fruits.

One of the most common spices now has become red capsicum. Its name depends on how it is made. If only the outer shell of the fruit is taken for seasoning, without partitions and seeds, then it turns out to be not very spicy and is called paprika. most hot seasoning obtained from the whole fruit. This pepper is called chili.

plant description

This type of pepper belongs to the nightshade family. It is an annual erect plant about 40 centimeters high. It is very thermophilic and does not tolerate frost at all.

Pepper has a branched stem and oblong leaves with a pointed tip. The flowers are located in the forks of the branches, the pepper blooms from June to September. Pepper fruits are narrow cone-shaped pods 5 to 15 centimeters long. They can be of different colors, not only red, but also yellow. But the brighter the color of the pepper, the sharper the taste it has. There are now different varieties: the fruits can be fleshy and very long - up to 20 centimeters, or small - only 1 centimeter. They are less or more burning, fleshy or thin-skinned. There are also decorative varieties for growing in a pot on the windowsill.

Composition and useful properties

Red capsicum contains the alkaloid capsaicin. It is he who gives the plant such a burning taste and spicy aroma. In addition, pepper contains essential oils, saponins, phytoncides, sugars, fats and wax. It contains a lot of carotenoids, vitamins A, B, C and P. Various minerals are also present: potassium, sodium, iron, sulfur, zinc and others.

Thanks to this composition, red capsicum has many medicinal properties:

Normalizes cerebral circulation, cleanses blood vessels;

Improves memory and helps fight depression;

Stimulates the production of endorphins and thus improves mood;

Has an analgesic effect;

Helps lower cholesterol levels;

Improves vision and strengthens bones;

Reduces blood sugar levels;

Improves appetite and stimulates the digestive system;

Increases metabolism;

Improves immunity.

Use in cooking

In the homeland of the plant - in Mexico, red bitter capsicum was used instead of salt. In Europe, people quickly discovered the properties and taste of this seasoning. Now it is very common. Almost everywhere red pepper is served as a condiment.

It also stimulates the appetite and enlivens the taste of dishes. Pepper fruits are entirely used in canning. They are added to soups, meat and fish dishes, vegetable side dishes and sauces. It has been observed that the spiciness of the seasoning decreases when consumed with acidic foods: lemon, unripe apples and tomatoes. This property can be used if the pepper irritates the skin or gets into the eyes: plain water it is impossible to cope with burning, but acidified - easily.

Therapeutic effect of pepper

Currently, the most well-known external use of hot pepper for distracting purposes. It is rubbed into the skin, compresses are made or added to ointments and creams. Pepper plaster is also popular now, which helps with many diseases, such as:

Arthritis;

Pain in muscles and joints;

Radiculitis;

Colds;

Rheumatism.

Less well known is the internal use of red peppers. Its powder is mixed with honey in a one-to-one ratio and taken in a teaspoon with plenty of water. This remedy has an expectorant and antipyretic effect. In addition, many people know the tincture of hot pepper, which you can cook yourself. It is mainly used externally for colds and sciatica, but you can also drink 10 drops diluted in a quarter glass of water.

The tincture is used for such diseases:

Atherosclerosis;

Violation of cerebral circulation;

ovarian cancer;

Bronchial asthma, flu and colds;

To stimulate appetite and stimulate digestion.

Who should not use it

Red capsicum is a very spicy, often even hot, product. Therefore, when applied externally, allergic reactions may occur. In this case, the use of the medicine should be discontinued. Pepper powder is very free-flowing and can cause severe eye irritation, sneezing, and facial swelling when applied. It is not recommended to use compresses with it for allergies, sensitive skin and open wounds. Inside, not everyone can use pepper.

Its use in food and as a medicine is contraindicated in such diseases:

Gastritis and stomach ulcer;

Diseases of the pancreas;

Diseases of the liver and kidneys.

With caution, you need to use pepper with a severe degree of atherosclerosis, insomnia and pregnancy. This plant as a seasoning and medicine should be consumed in very small quantities. Peppers contain the substance capsaicin, which can cause acute gastrointestinal upset, and if consumed in excess, there is even a risk of death.

Red capsicum for hair

This plant is now widely used in cosmetology. Pepper is added to massage creams and slimming patches. But tincture of red pepper for hair is especially often used. Studies conducted by scientists in Japan have shown that the substance capsaicin, which is abundant in this plant, stimulates hair growth, as it acts directly on calcitoin genes and sensory nerves. To treat the scalp, you need to take a tincture of red pepper and dilute it with one part ten parts of water. This medicine is rubbed into the scalp 2-3 times a week. Sometimes it can be left overnight. Pepper extract is also included in masks, balms and hair shampoos.

Preparation and storage of pepper

The fruits are harvested as they ripen. Whole fresh pods or dried ones are used as seasoning. It turns out especially burning if you add ground seeds. After harvesting, the fruits must be washed, peeled and cut into pieces. Dry them in direct sunlight. But this method of drying is more common, when the whole fruit is hung by the stalk in a dry place.

Ready peppers are shriveled and have a dark color. Grinding dried fruits into powder is quite difficult, so natural seasoning looks like large orange particles. When harvesting peppers, you need to protect your eyes and face, and wear rubber gloves on your hands.

And you learned how to use the prepared product from this article.

Peppers include plants of two genera, which are not related to each other. The genus Capsicum is a pod, and its varieties are red (bitter or chili) and others. They owe their pungent taste to the alkaloid capsaicin. And the genus Pepper - this is the same black (or peas) and Pepper long - have a pungent taste due to the presence of the piperine alkaloid.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Hot pepper contains about 1.87 g (7 kcal) of proteins, 0.45 g (4 kcal) of fat and 7.3 g (29 kcal) of carbohydrates. The ratio in terms of energy is: (b / w / y): 19% / 10% / 73%. In addition, it contains saturated fatty acids (0.042 g), mono- and disaccharides (5.3 g), water (88.02 g) and dietary fiber (1.5 g).

Vitamins, micro and macro elements

The vegetable contains about forty vitamins, twenty minerals and many others. useful substances:

a lot of B vitamins (choline, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine), as well as vitamins PP, K, E, C, A and beta-carotene;
peppers contain manganese, selenium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sodium.

Varieties of hot chili peppers

Chile is everything hot peppers. They are native to tropical America. There are about 500 varieties worldwide. Fruits differ in taste, shape, smell and, of course, pungency.

Did you know? Hot red capsicum is a berry! The most burning thing in it is the seeds and internal partitions.

Let's name some of its varieties:

What is useful hot pepper

The vegetable has many useful properties: it treats sensory disorders, diseases of the central nervous system, has a beneficial effect on digestion, increases blood circulation, dissolves blood clots and improves liver function. Due to endorphins, it relieves pain and improves mood, and also removes toxins from the colon. Preparations from it are used for insomnia and neuralgia.

For men

Vegetable has a positive effect on male potency. Due to endorphins, a man experiences a surge of strength and, thus, gets rid of anxiety, which often causes a decrease in potency.

For women

it good remedy for weight loss, but subject to healthy kidneys, heart and stomach. Pepper improves and accelerates blood circulation and metabolism, which has a positive effect on the breakdown of fats. It is low in calories and carbohydrates.

Is it possible

It can be said about pepper that it is good in moderation. Even if you are healthy, this does not mean that it can be consumed in unlimited quantities.

To small children

This vegetable is completely prohibited for children under the age of 12.

Pregnant

For pregnant women, even in the absence of any health problems, it is also prohibited.

During lactation

It is better to exclude it from the food of nursing mothers. With milk, it enters the body of a child, and as we have already said, it is prohibited for children under 12 years old.

When losing weight

For weight loss, chilli peppers are a godsend. It adds spice to food, allows you to reduce the portion (do not eat too much spicy), and also has a positive effect on metabolism and blood circulation.

Application in the cuisine of different countries of the world

A burning vegetable is used in the cuisines of all countries. Most of all it is used in South American cuisine. It improves the taste of fish and meat dishes, soups, vegetables and side dishes. It is salted, stewed, fermented and marinated.

As a seasoning, crushed dried fruits are used. Hot pepper goes well with basil, garlic, coriander and other spices. It is part of the curry seasoning and Tabasco sauces.

Important! So that when preparing dishes with hot pepper, irritation does not occur and there is no burn, you should not touch the mucous membranes with your hands (do not rub your nose, eyes, do not bring it to your mouth).

How to choose when buying

When buying, you need to pay attention to such factors:

the pods should be bright, and the fruits should be dense, smooth, without wrinkles;
damaged, sluggish and perishable peppers should be avoided;
dried fruits should be soaked in hot water for 30 minutes before use.

How to store at home

To keep the vegetable longer, you need to follow a few rules:

the storage place should be dark and cool;
you need to put everything in a plastic bag and use it in 2 weeks;
a large amount should be packaged in small bags and stored in the freezer.

Before freezing, the fruits must be washed. Pack so as not to refreeze. Re-freezing loses nutrients. Will keep in the freezer for up to a year.

The use of burning medicine in traditional medicine

Different varieties of pepper differ in their pungency. The higher it is, the healthier properties. The use in traditional medicine is very different.

Anthelmintic collection

Any anthelmintic fees or tinctures with pepper ethnoscience does not lead. Traditional healers simply recommend including the vegetable in small amounts in your daily diet.

With a cold

The easiest way to get rid of a runny nose is to pour ground pepper into your socks at night. Cannot be used at high temperatures.
You can use pepper tincture. For its preparation, they take pods and 90% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. A week to insist and strain. Moisten several layers of gauze with tincture, wrap the feet, put on woolen socks on top.

For gout

Joints affected by gout are lubricated with a tincture of 1 part red pepper and 5 parts vodka. Infuse before use for 7 days in the dark and strain.

For joint pain

From joint pain, oil-kerosene tincture is used. Her recipe is given in the section "For a cold." She lubricates sore joints at night.

How to use in home cosmetology

A burning vegetable is also used in cosmetology. It is part of anti-cellulite preparations, shampoos, masks and balms. Pepper is also found in some toothpastes and helps to get rid of weakness and bleeding gums.

To strengthen hair

Pepper promotes blood flow to the hair follicles, reduces hair oiliness, and has a positive effect on fine and colored hair. To prepare a homemade mask, you need to take 2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of red pepper tincture. Rub the mixture into the scalp, put on a plastic bag and a scarf. Leave for half an hour and then rinse well.

To strengthen nails

Burning properties are also used for the beauty and strength of nails. For a nail mask, you need to mix half a teaspoon of ground pepper with 10 drops of boiled water and a teaspoon of hand cream.
The mixture should be held for 10 minutes in a water bath, then cooled. Lubricate nails for 15 minutes and rinse. You can use no more than 8 times a month.

Red chilli pepper - Capsicum annuum L. It was brought to Western Europe in the 15th century. expedition of Christopher Columbus, who discovered this plant in the countries of the South American continent. The locals called red capsicum "agi". For the first time, a scientific description of this spice was given by Columbus' personal physician Alvarez Chanca. Soon after Europeans met the exotic plant, it became widespread. At first, pepper was grown in the homes of aristocrats as an ornamental plant, and only with time were its wonderful culinary and healing qualities discovered.

Starting from the XVI century. red capsicum is beginning to grow in Eastern Europe. It turned out that the overseas "newcomer" has a high degree of survival on other continents. As a result, by the 19th century it was cultivated everywhere.

Other names

Paprika, Spanish pepper, Turkish pepper, Mexican pepper, Magyar pepper, chili.

Wild red capsicum is a perennial shrub belonging to the nightshade family. A cultivated plant is either an annual shrub with a lignified stem, or an annual herbaceous plant of the same family with an upright, branched stem. The leaves, depending on the variety, are long-petiolate, oblong-ovate, lanceolate, with a pointed tip. In height, the plant can reach 60 cm. It blooms in June - September with white drooping flowers on long pedicels located in the forks of branches. The plant bears fruit in August - September. The fruits are thin cone-shaped pods 5 to 15 cm long. They can be red, yellow or orange. The brightest colored fruits are the most pungent.

Places of growth

The birthplace of capsicum red pepper is South America (Mexico). It still grows wild in Central America.

Currently, red pepper is cultivated in all regions where there are suitable conditions and, above all, a warm climate. On a large scale, it is grown in the Mediterranean countries, Western Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, East and Central Asia, and India.

In Russia, as a vegetable plant, it is grown in the Lower Volga region, Stavropol and Krasnodar regions. Recently, it has also become widespread in the middle lane.

Capsicum varieties

Capsicum is divided into low-burning, medium-burning and burning varieties. Slightly burning varieties include finely ground red peppers, which usually contain impurities. Ground pepper, prepared from only one outer shell, without internal partitions and seeds, is called paprika and belongs to the medium-burning varieties.

The most pungent is coarse ground powder made from dried whole peppers with seeds without impurities.

Applied Part

As a spice, either ripe fresh or dried fruits (with or without seeds) and ground seeds are used.

Chemical composition

The composition of the fruits of red capsicum includes the alkaloid capsaicin, which gives it a specific spicy and spicy taste and a special flavor, fatty and essential oils, steroid saponins, phytoncides, wax, carotenoids, capsorubin, capsanthin, carotenes, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, P, sugars, fats and many other useful substances. Peppers also contain dyes.

Collection and storage

Collect the fruits of red capsicum after ripening. The pods are freed from the stalk, cut into pieces and dried in direct sunlight. Peppers shrivel and darken as they dry. After the final drying, they are ground. Since capsicum is quite difficult to grind to a powder, real red pepper should be coarsely ground and have an orange or brick red color.

At home, red hot peppers are often dried whole (with seeds). To do this, the pods are hung by the stalk in a dry place and stored in this way.

In powder form, pepper is best stored in a glass container with a hermetically sealed lid.

M.Izotova