Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Red Pepper The Safety Factor
Chopping red peppers may burn the fingertips, a condition dubbed Hunan hand because it was first identified in a man who was preparing a Hunan Chinese recipe that called for chopping many of the fiery fruits He wound up in an emergency room with severe hand pain.
Red pepper does not wash off the hands easily. (Washing in vinegar removes it best.) Even with careful washing, the pungent herb may remain on the fingertips for hours and cause severe eye pain if contaminated fingers touch the eyes. Use rubber gloves when chopping red peppers.
One French study shows that red pepper boosts resistance to infection. Some bacteria-fighting spices can be sprinkled on cuts to help prevent infection, but don’t do this with red pepper. It burns terribly.
Red pepper has not been linked to menstruation promotion since the 17th century, but some research suggests the herb’s stems and leaves-not the more typically used powdered fruits-stimulate uterine contractions in animals. Pregnant women and those wishing to conceive should stick to the powdered fruits.
Other Cautions
Red pepper is on the FDA’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, red pepper is considered safe in the small amounts typically recommended.
Red pepper should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If red pepper causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset, diarrhea, or burning during bowel movements, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Harvest Some Heat
Red pepper is a shrubby, tropical perennial with shiny, pendulous, leathery fruits. It grows best in tropical or subtropical areas but also prospers in south-facing windows and greenhouses.
In southern states, seeds may be sown after danger of frost has passed. Farther north, sow seeds indoors in flats eight weeks before the final frost date, then transplant. Space seedlings 12 inches apart.
Red pepper prefers rich, well-watered, sandy soil and full sun, but it tolerates some shade. When harvesting ripened fruit, be careful not to break the stems, or they may spoil. To dry red peppers, hang them in a warm, dry place. Drying takes several weeks.