Evidence supporting the use of: Cayenne
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in herbalism and folk medicine, for supporting heart health and addressing symptoms associated with "heart weakness" or poor circulation. Historically, cayenne has been used as a circulatory stimulant, believed to strengthen the heart, improve blood flow, and alleviate symptoms such as palpitations or fatigue related to cardiovascular insufficiency. Notably, herbalists such as Samuel Thomson and John Christopher promoted cayenne as a "heart tonic" in the 19th and 20th centuries, sometimes recommending it in cases of fainting or collapse. The active compound capsaicin is known to have physiological effects on blood vessels and circulation, but robust clinical evidence specifically supporting its use for "heart weakness"—a non-specific and historical term—is limited. Some modern studies suggest capsaicin may have beneficial effects on blood pressure and lipid levels, but these findings do not directly translate to the traditional concept of strengthening a weak heart. Thus, while cayenne's use for this indication is well-documented in traditional herbalism, scientific validation remains limited, and its use is mostly justified by historical precedent rather than strong modern clinical evidence.

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