An annual herbaceous plant up to 60 cm tall. Root taproot, branched. Stem erect, smooth, angular, branched above. Leaves are alternate, long-petiolate, simple, ovate with a pointed apex, entire, entire. The flowers are white, rather large, drooping, solitary or 2-3 in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a multi-seeded berry, red or brown-red, spherical or oblong, conical (pod). Blooms in July-August. The fruits ripen in August-September.
Capsicum is cultivated in fields and vegetable gardens.
For medicinal purposes, its fruits (pods) are used. The collection is made as it matures. The fruits are dried in attics or in the sun.
Capsicum should be handled with care, as the resulting dust has a strong local irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes, especially the eyes and nose. Dust can cause powerful tearing, sneezing, swelling of the face.
Pepper contains a large amount of vitamins A and C. Its main component, on which the local irritant effect depends, is the alkaloid-like capsaicin amide. In addition, capsicum contains pigment substances, wax, fatty oil, essential oil. When capsaicin is applied to the skin, intense redness is observed, accompanied by burning pain and sometimes blistering. When ingested in significant amounts, capsaicin causes acute gastrointestinal upset, which in severe cases can lead to death.
Capsicum is used mainly in the form of tincture, in small doses it stimulates the appetite; for external use – as a local irritant and distraction for rheumatism, colds, arthritis, myositis, etc. It is included in the finished medicines “Kapsin”, “Kapsitrin”, produced in the original pack of 50-100 g. It is also used as a seasoning for food .
Application
Vodka tincture: 25 g per 200 ml; 10 drops inside for appetite; externally – as a distracting irritant.
“Capsitrin” – externally (rubbing) with neuralgia, myalgia and arthralgia.
Tincture: 10 g per 10 ml of 40% vodka (alcohol) for rubbing sore spots with sciatica, as well as pepper plaster.