Hot Benefits from Siling Labuyo

For sure, every Filipino knows hot pepper or siling labuyo (Capsicum Frutescens L.).

It can be found everywhere in the backyard gardens in provinces and a favorite condiments of our lolo’s and lola’s. Siling labuyo is the famous ingredient of the proudly pinoy dish “Bicol Express”.

But, did you know that siling labuyo also gives a lot of health benefits aside from that of condiments?

Siling Labuyo contains capsaicin – it is a chemical compound that causes the burning sensation in the mouth. With that hot and burning feeling, capsaicin triggers the brain to kick out flood of endorphins, a natural pain killer of the body that promotes sense of well being and stimulation.

Siling labuyo gives an amazing relief to arthritis and rheumatism. It brings down blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, prevents blood clots, halts bleeding quickly, knocks out cold and flu miseries. It also reduces risk of heart diseases and tuberculosis. In addition it is an ulcer healer.

Currently, there are numerous of studies going on for the medicinal applications of siling labuyo since it is associated with therapeutic actions such as: aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, expectorant, neural stimulant, rubefacient, synergist vasomotor stimulant, topical vasodilator, etc.

TRIVIA:

The best remedy to combat the fire of siling labuyo are dairy products such as milk, yogurt, or even ice cream. Starchy foods like white bread, mashed potato or cooked white rice also have a neutralizing effect on the natural alkaloids of capsaicin.

However, alcoholic beverages are just about the worst thing to drink when consuming chili because they tend to increase the absorption rate pf capsaicin within the body.

For other benefits of Hot Chili please read: Chilli peppers reveal red-hot health benefits