Everthing Else!

 

CHILLIES

 

Love them or hate them, the Chilli is such a useful spice to have around, magically and medicinally! Personally I’m a big fan of this fiery ingredient…sometimes only a hit of heat will do!

 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Traditionally chillies are used to treat migraine and cluster headaches, fevers, colds, nasal catarrh, high blood pressure, stomach and digestive problems, laryngitis, sore throat, rheumatic and neuralgic pain, skin problems, shingles.

Chillies are loaded with vitamin A, a potent antioxidant and boost to the immune system. As the pods mature and darken in colour, high quantities of vitamin C are gradually replaced with beta carotene and the capsaicin levels are at their highest. Due to these capsaicin levels, some believe that eating chillies may temporarily speed up the metabolic rate, hence burning off calories at a faster rate. Chillies certainly do sweat and actually cool down in hot climates as sweat evaporates. Your nose runs, your head clears … you can breathe! And with that extra flow of saliva, the gastric juices also flow, stimulating the action of stomach and intestine and so improving the whole digestion process!

These same heat inducing properties have an effect that can alleviate pain when used in treatments for arthritis, nerve disorders (neuralgia), shingles and severe burns … even cluster headaches. The mucus thinning properties promote coughing and can act as an expectorant for asthmatic conditions. Other claims are Chillies boost the immune system due to the antioxidants, lowering cholesterol, and blood thinning properties, all beneficial for the heart and blood vessels. Well, handy little things to have around these Chillies!!!

 

 MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Obviously linked with fire, Chillies can be used in fire spells to increase their power. They can be used for hex breaking, love and lust, and fidelity. Tie two dried chillies together with pink or red ribbon and sleep with them under your pillow to keep your partner from straying, or add to recipes to spice up your love life! Use on the boundaries of your home to break any negativity sent your way, or make pouches of dried chilli to send your enemies packing!

 

FOLKLORE

Chillies are thought to be linked to Mars, the god of war. In Central and South America they were traditionally used in counter magic and protection rituals. Sprinkled around the house they were expected to ward off evil demons and vampires, while burning them along with garlic and other pungent spices was intended to fumigate and purify the house. This procedure is also reputed to dispel vermin and insects. In Latin American countries it is also a popular counter-magical device to ward off or cure the affects of the ‘Evil Eye’. Strings of Chilli peppers were used for decoration (Chilli Ristas) or worn as a protective necklace..

Chillies have long enjoyed a reputation as an aphrodisiac, their fiery nature was thought to ignite the flame of passion! The Aztecs were known to use Chillies for this purpose, often mixing them with other aphrodisiac plants such as cocoa and vanilla. Even today kitchen jokes with sexual innuendos revolving around Chillies keep the cooks amused in Mexican kitchens and macho contests testing Chilli endurance levels are frequently part of the social dining experience. The women folk tend to quietly watch these contests and draw their own conclusions.

On a more aggressive side, Chillies have also been used as a means of punishment for unruly children, who were exposed to their fumes. In Asia they were even used as a means of torture, being rubbed into wounds and sensitive mucous membranes and even squirted into the eyes of the victims. This use, in a modified form, is still popular with riot police, who use tear gas containing capsaicin to control rioting citizens. In the same vein, capsaicin is the major ingredient of pepper sprays used to ward of potential rapists, burglars or muggers! bb mandyxxx