PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CAYENNE/165

Young LA et al.. In: Recreational Drugs, Berkeley Publishing

Co. USA I977.

Further information in:

Clark IM, Forde BG, Hallahan DL, Spatially distinct expression

of two new cytochrome P450s in leaves of tfepeta racemosa:

'identification of a trichome-specific isoform. Plant Mol Biol,

33:875-85. Mar 1997.

Hallahan DL et al.. Purification and characterization of an

acyclic monoterpene primary alcohol:NADP+ oxidoreductase

from catmint (Nepeta racemosa). Arch Biochem Biophys,

33:105-12. Apr 1. 1995.

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen. Bde 1-11,

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8. Springer Verlag

Berlin. Heidelberg. New York, 1969.

Massoco CO, Silva MR, Gorniak SL, Spinosa MS, Bernardi

MM Behavioral effects of acute and long-term administration of

catnip (Nepeta cataria) in mice. Vef Hum Toxicol, 33:530-3.

Dec 1995.

Osterhoudt KC. Lee SK. Callahan JM, Henretig FM, Catnip

and the alteration of human consciousness. Vet Hum Toxicol,

33:373-5. Dec 1997.

Simon E, Chadwick AF, Craker LE (Eds.), Herbs. An Indexed

Bibliography 1971-80 Archon Books USA 1984.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U. Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie.

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Caulophyllum thalictroides

See Blue Cohosh

Cayenne

Capsicum species
TRADE NAMES
Cayenne (available from numerous manafacturers), Cayenne ;
I Herbal, Cayenne Peppers, Cayenne 30,000 Heat Units,
Premium Cayenne, Cayenne Power Herb, Cayenne 40,000
BTU, Natural Herbal Cayenne, Zostrix
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The fresh or dried fruits of different
Capsicum species are used medicinally.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are usually solitary, but may
occasionally be in pairs or in threes. They are hanging and
long-pedicled. The calyx is semi-globose to campanulate and

has 5 to 7 tips. The corolla is wheel-shaped with a short tube,

varying in color from white to yellow, occasionally from

purple to violet with whitish-green or violet markings. There

are 5 to 6 stamens with violet anthers and 5 small papillous

staminoids. The ovary is superior. The dividing walls are

partially underdeveloped. The seed carriers at the top are

attached to the walls and fused to a column below. The berry

is 1.5 to 5 cm long and up to 9 cm thick; it varies in form.

The calyx remains. The wall of the fruit is tough and leathery

and may be red, yellow-green or brownish. The seeds are

numerous, light, yellowish-white, flat, disc, circular or

kidney-shaped and thickened at the margins. The surface is

pitted.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Capsicum annum is an annual

(perennial in the tropics) 20 to 100 cm high plant with an

erect stem, which is somewhat woody and angular. It is

sparsely branched higher up. The leaves are usually solitary,

long-petioled, oval, lanceolate to ovate, obtusely accuminate,

wedge-shaped at the base, entire-margined or slightly curved

and glabrous.

Habitat: The herb is indigenous to Mexico and Central

America and is cultivated today in wanner regions of the

globe.

Production: Paprika consists of the dried ripe fruit of

Capsicum anuum or Capsicum fructescens. The fruit is

harvested when completely ripe and dried at a maximum

temperature of 35° C.

Not to be Confused With: Other varieties of Capsicum

anuum.

Other Names: Capsicum, Grains of Paradise, African Pep-

per, Bird Pepper, Chili Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Hungarian

Pepper, Red Pepper, Goat's Pod, Zanzibar Pepper, Paprika,

Tabasco Pepper, chilies, Chili

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Capsaicinoids (amides of the vanillyl amine with C8 - CI 3-

fatty acids): chief components capsaicin (32-38%), dihydro-

; capsaicin (18-52%)

Carotinoids (0.3-0.8%): in particular capsanthin (dark red),

alpha-carotin, violaxanthine, free or as fatty acid esters

Flavonoids: including apiin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside

Steroid saponins: mixture referred to as capsicidine, in the

seeds

Volatile oil (0.1%): 2-methoxy-3-isobutyl pyrazine and N-

(13-methyl tetradecyl)acetamide (capsiamide)