Chilli pepper - traditional medicine

Capsicum annuum has been used externally as a local irritant to counter other irritants, itching or pain. For example, the chillis diluted with soap liniment have been applied to the skin for alleviating the pain in rheumatic joints and have been applied for chest affections such as bronchitis. Chilli has also been used to apply to snake bites. A gargle, tincture or paste has been used for tonsillitis and other sore throat conditions and hoarseness.

Chilli pepper remedies

In medicinal doses it has a reputation for stimulating the gut and helping digestion, causing a burning sensation in the mouth and increasing the flow of saliva. It is reputed to stimulate the heart, skin, kidneys and nervous system and to act as an aphrodisiac. It has been given for a number of conditions such as in some forms of delirium, for sea-sickness, malarial and other fevers, gout, constipation and haemorrhoids.

It has also been used for alleviating uterine and other internal bleeding, and when combined with a plant called nux vomica (a source of strychnine botanically known as Strychnos nux-vomica) it has been used for digestive disorders, chronic diarrhoea and colic, and has been used in chronic alcoholism. The snuff has been used to treat hayfever. The whole plant cooked in milk has been applied to reduce swellings and hardened tumours. Chilli powder has been used in India to apply to dog bites.
A photograph of an array of brightly coloured chillies - red, orange and green.
Image: Chillies have a range of colours.

Capsicum frutescens, also known as bird's eye chilli, has been used in neuralgic and rheumatic conditions as a stimulant.









This information is provided for general interest only. It is not intended as guidance for medicinal use. Further information on using herbal medicines is available.