Trust for the American Medical system should be in question by Black Americans, seeing their past with experimentation on various communities of people. Currently, growing numbers of people are becoming dependant upon drug assistance programs to sustain their health ailments; in short, Americans are becoming drugs addicts.

Before the growth of the American Medical Association, and even America itself, cultures of people trusted in the earth for healing. The earth produces chemically sufficient herbs that interact with the human anatomy to prevent disease, sickness, and other health problems.

Afromerica will begin a series on the herbs of the earth that we see and use everyday. If used for the treatment and purpose of self-healing alongside faith in the natural resources of God, many people can avoid becoming drug addicts, dependant on American medicine. Below are descriptions of many herbs taken from a reliable source - documented at the bottom of the page.

Please research the source for yourself before taking any medical advice from this series. These are simple preventative health remedies that all Americans should take into consideration, especially Black Americans. If used correctly and regularly, we can avoid many of the diseases that American medicine has attributed to the Black gene.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper exerts a number of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It reduces the likelihood of developing arteriosclerosis by reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cayenne also reduces the platelet aggregation and increases fibrinolytic activity. Cultures consuming a large amount of Cayenne pepper have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease.

Cayenne is also known by the common names African Pepper, American Pepper, Bird Pepper, Cockspur Pepper, Goat's Pepper, Pod Pepper, Garden Pepper, African Red Pepper, Capsicum, and Chili Pepper. Originally from South America, the cayenne plant has spread across the globe both as a food and as a medicine. The potent, hot fruit of Cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping pains, and gas.

Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a substance believed to improve circulation). Rubbed onto the skin, Cayenne is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed as a "counterirritant" effect.

A counterirritant is something that causes irritation to a tissue to which it is applied, thus distracting from the original irritation (such as joint pain in the case of arthritis). Cayenne peppers vary greatly in the amount of heat and are actually categorized from anywhere between 0 to 300,000 scovile units. Green peppers are 0 while the hottest, such as Habaneras, are 300,000.

A more modern system simply rates heat on a scale of 1 to 10. Many people consume lots of hot peppers in tropical climates, as the heat will induce perspiration, which actually helps a person to cool off. Cayenne's primary chemical constituents include capsaicin, capsanthine, beta-carotene, flavonoids, and vitamin C.

Cayenne causes the brain to secrete more endorphins. It is considered thermogenic, meaning it can "rev up" metabolism and aid in weight loss. Cayenne also improves circulation. Cayenne helps to relieve pain, not only due to its endorphin enhancing properties, but also when diluted and used topically it helps to block the transmission of substance P, which transports pain messages to the brain.

Alfalfa | Barley Grass

Source from: http://www.viableherbalsolutions.com/singles/singles.htm

© 2005 by Afro Staff