Red Hot Chili

Chili in traditional Ayurvedic medicine is considered among hot and dry foods with fire and air elements. In traditional Chinese medicine chili is known as a warming fruit with lots of benefits, though it can be harmful if taken excessively in certain conditions.

Chili basically has a great amount of red prana, which makes it hot. Red prana in general has strengthening, warming, activating and dilating effects on the body and its organs. It is also constructive that can be used for the rapid repairing of tissues or cells.

In scientific societies, chili with its scientific name, Capsicum Annum, is well-known for its medical and health benefits. Chili contains phytochemical substances, known as capsaicinoids that produce capsicum, where its scientific name comes from. Capsicum is basically the ingredient that gives heat to chili. According to Malena Perdermo, MS, RD, CDE, affiliate professor of nutrition in the health professions department at the Metropolitan State College of Denver, the higher amount of capsaicin, the hotter the pepper and the higher the antioxidant level.

Once get in touch with the tongue, chili hits pain receptors of the tongue’s nerve cells that send a message to the brain. The brain in return responds to this burning sensation by increasing heart rate, perspiration and releasing endorphin, the pleasure hormone. This is believed to result in having the “good” attitude towards general well being.

In fact small amounts of capsicum may help prevent heart attack or stroke caused by blood clot, as red prana has dilating effect on the blood vessels.

Chili is also known to help weight loss, based on several researches on the subject. The capsaicin has proven to slightly curb appetite that together with warming effects on the body and increased temperature, make chili help with weight loss. The use of chili in the diet is believed to increase the breakdown of carbohydrates during rest periods. That is why some people enjoy taking lots of chili quite often.

Based on David Heber’s research, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and public health and chief and founding director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Division of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA, together with his UCLA colleagues on the effects of capsaicin, using synthetic form of dihydrocapsiate (DCT), a compound similar to capsaicin, it was observed an increase in the metabolism of the body, on average for an extra 80 calories a day. This effect is also connected to the existence of red prana in chili.

Chili also contains vitamin A, C and B, especially B6. It is a high storehouse in potassium, magnesium and iron, with low sodium content. Chili also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which may slow the development of eye diseases, such as macular degeneration.

Since chili has a hot and dry quality, it has been used in cold and wet areas such as Sichuan, to reduce dampness and coldness.

Although chili has lots of health benefits, it is not recommended for people with problems such as stomach ulcers, heartburn, irritable colon and hemorrhoids as they tend to worsen by eating hot spicy foods. Chili can also produce bleeding in a person suffering from piles.

“Since hemorrhoids manifests as pranic congestion of red prana on the anus area, eating hot spicy foods which contain a lot of red prana will definitely aggravate the ailment.” 

Master Choa Kok Sui

Just keep this in mind that overtakeing chili in large quantities can lead to gastritis and peptic ulcer. Excessive use of chili is also not recommended for pregnant women, as it believed to affect the unborn child. Chili should not also be in contact with a cut or graze as it can burn the skin.

For people with body heat or fever, chili should be taken with caution as it increases the body heat.

In general chili helps in:

1. Heart Health – The red prana of chili has dilating effect on the heart arteries; it increases heart action without increasing blood pressure. Chili is an amazing fruit for blood circulation.

It also protects against hardening of the arteries. Vitamin B6 in chili reduces high homocysteine level. High homocysteine levels have been shown to cause damage to blood vessels and are associated with a greatly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Red chili has been shown helpful in decreasing blood cholesterol levels as well.

2. Weight Loss – Chili increases metabolism of the body, on average for an extra 80 calories a day, which is one of the effects of red prana. Capsaicin content of chili also has proven to slightly reduce appetite.

3. Boosting the Immune System – Chili is rich in vitamin C, which in general helps boost the immune system. Vitamin A, B and C can protect the body against certain pathogens that is responsible for disease. Vitamin A is an anti-infection vitamin and vitamin C helps in treating cold and flu.

4. Pain Relief – Capsaicin is a natural pain killer, especially from arthritis and diabetes. It can also reduce headache when inhaled and joint pain when injected. When in contact with tongue, in response to burn, brain secretes endorphins to the blood, which is a natural pain reliever.

Medically, it is one of the most powerful local pain relievers available and is regularly used to treat the pain in cases of arthritis, toothache and surgery scars. Available in cream, capsaicin can improve neuropathy, sometimes experienced in type 2 diabetes.

5. Cold and Flu – Vitamin C is basically helpful in treating cold and flu and to remove symptoms of influenza.

The red prana in chili further helps keep the body warm and strong, which can be a good protection against coldness. In certain countries, it is common to sprinkle powdered chili in the shoes to keep the feet warm.

6. Improving Diabetes – A steaming serving of chili will help keep the blood sugar under control, especially if taken together with chopped onions.  Researches at the University of Tasmania also suggests that chili reduces the insulin secretion by around 60% after eating. This in return helps dealing with overweight and diabetes.

7. Enhancing Mood – Capsaicin, which is connected to burning effects of chili, triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins are also known as “feel-good” or pleasure hormones.

8. Eye and Skin Care – Vitamin A in chili helps in having a good vision. It also has smoothing effect on the skin. Vitamin A clears acne and reduces wrinkles. It helps wounds heal faster and retards cell aging. In fact red prana is helpful for the rapid repairing of tissues or cells.

Although most of the facts mentioned above have scientific reasons behind them, these qualities are either directly or indirectly related to the qualities of red prana that is available in chili. The quality of all color pranas and their effects on the human body have been completely explained in Advanced Pranic Healing by Master Choa Kok Sui.

References

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