Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne Pepper is manufactured from the ripe fruits of various species of Capsicum (q.v.). They are dried, ground, mixed with flour and yeast, and baked into hard cakes which are re-ground. Red lead, vermilion, ochre, salt, rice-flour, and turmeric are occasional adulterants of cayenne pepper. It is employed in medicine, chiefly as a stimulant in dyspepsia. In large quantities it acts as an irritant poison.