Cayenne: Fiery Heart, Cool Head
By: Amy Schimel
I came upon the flower essence Cayenne while exploring essences to help with feelings of stagnation, indecision and difficulty focusing. I chose to work with Cayenne because of case studies I read where people experienced the ability to complete unfinished projects. I was actively studying different healing modalities as possible new work paths and wanted to complete assignments on time. I also had some organizing to do in my apartment that I had let linger for too long. Cayenne proved to be a very effective essence for forward movement and, unexpectedly, for deep healing on other levels. I was humbled by her power and gained deep respect for this plant.
In this study I present my observations and experiences with Cayenne on the 4 Planes of Consciousness and then compare it to discoveries in literature I was able to access. I also used the 12 Windows of Perception technique as put forth by the Flower Essence Society to expand my findings. Many times these categories overlapped which made it difficult to stick to a strict organization. As I am learning, though, the nature of flower essences is not rigid so the study will be a reflection of this.
Physical/Etheric Planes
For this section, I observed Cayenne through photographs since it was winter and I could not find a live plant locally. While not ideal, I realized there was plenty of information to glean from photographs. There are around 1000 variations of Cayenne according to
Peterson Field Guide: I chose 3 main photographs to work with that resembled live plants I had encountered in the past.
My initial observations were that the plant grows to be very bushy in over-all appearance, though seeming not more than 3 feet tall and wide. Its leaves are dark green and abundant, oval-shaped but coming to a point (what I later learned is called a “lancet”). The flowers are comparatively small, about an inch in diameter, 6-petaled, and pure white in this variety. Each petal is slightly ridged, oval and comes to a point mimicking the leaf shape. Their heads are downward-facing mostly, though in some photos the blossoms are more open and facing skyward, which was a good opportunity to see more of the petal. Fruit comes in after the flowers drops off, and is a thin, curved shape about 3 inches long, bright, shiny red with a wrinkled skin. It is hard to see the stems through all the leaves, but a close-up photo shows that they are the same shade of green as the leaves and I would characterize them as both sturdy and supple. Below is a diagram I captured from the internet depicting the lifecycle of Cayenne and a painting I made to tune into the details of the physical plant:
It seemed obvious that Cayenne was related to the element of Fire due to its color, its spiciness and the fact that I knew it grew in warm, sunny climates. I also felt strongly that it was related to Earth since the flower heads face down.
In my research, I found that Cayenne grows in a temperate climate and cannot stand excess heat or cold. According to an article on the MDPI, “temperature regulation is one of the most important factors for pepper growth”[2]. It is considered to have a long growing season, 90 days, from flower to fruit. In warm sub-tropical climates the plant is a perennial; in cooler regions it grows as an annual.
When considering Cayenne from an Etheric perspective I began to generate more information. The following are notes I made after meditating on its gesture and form inadvertently taking in some of the physical characteristics I observed earlier:
When analyzing my physical and etheric observations, I can notice some themes beginning to emerge. At this point, balance, support, cooperation, polarizing forces (Yin and Yang), transformation, heart/blood/circulation, a feeling of caution and respect, joy and themes related to the Fire and Earth element.
Astral Plane
When experiencing Cayenne on the Astral plane I also had over-lapping observations. This made it easier to feel confident about my findings. In one meditative exercise I asked it questions. The answers I received were similar with some new qualities of the plant coming in.
For instance, when I asked about her friends, she answered, “the moon, air and birds,” but then quickly added “I am self-sufficient”. That surprised me since I’d identified the theme of support previously, but when doing research I found that she is self-pollinating. The reference to the moon was also surprising until I remembered that in my Etheric exercise, I strongly felt Cayenne was a feminine being even with the obvious masculine traits it presented. Some of her answers were poetic and that felt like an overlap of etheric energy I was picking up. For instance to the question: how do you feel in your environment? She answered: “My roots like cool, moist, sandy soil. I love the nighttime air after a hot day. Feels quiet—the moon, stillness.” It was like she was creating a felt-sense scene for me. When I inquired about what it wanted us to know, I really felt her dignity: “I have a lot of bounty—the fruit. It is also good for the brain (the fruit). Strength in general and heart courage. I balance cool and heat, night/day. Quiet strength. Simplicity. Integrity. Her answer to “Is there anything I can do for you?” reflected her pleasure at being known and sharing her gifts. She said, “Spread my message of joy. Make the heart stronger. Honor me. Cultivating is good for availability.”
This exercise introduced the idea of self-sufficiency and expanded the previous themes of a strong, dignified feminine identity, balance, support, the heart and joy. Around the time I was delving into Astral experiences with Cayenne, I had some very interesting synchronicities that added more layers to my previous observations.
The first synchronicity occurred upon waking one morning with the Bruce Springsteen song, “I’m on Fire,” in my head. Not being a Springsteen fan this really impressed me. The lyrics and the tone of the song are one of burning, almost boiling over desire—the Fire element out of balance. There is a definite allusion to danger implying the consequences of this imbalance could be explosive. It also reflected the earlier observations I had of Cayenne in the Etheric and Physical realms where she seemed to be saying, “my medicine is transformative and I am not to be underestimated.” This definitely made me pay attention and I was curious to learn more.
Another synchronicity occurred during a sacred tea ceremony I attended. During meditation while opening up to Nettle Spirit, I saw a striking image in the distance of a tall female dressed in red robes and a red hat step through impossibly tall, iron doors. She just stood there between the partially opened doors with her robes blowing a little in the breeze. I later came to believe that she represented the spirit of Cayenne. Her red clothes and the way she stood in front of the huge doors gave the clear impression of power and dignity. It was arresting and once more made me a big impression on me. I was grateful to experience her on the Astral Plane and felt inspired to honor her.
The third synchronicity was an action I was led to take while “casually” vacuuming one day, meaning I wasn’t planning on any deep cleaning. I was drawn to clean out a basket that held wooden hangers from a business I had closed down years prior. It was something I had wanted to clear out for years and even moved with but was never able to just do it. As I began cleaning I was stunned by how much dust had been collecting. It was like the materialization of all my grief about having to close the business I loved and had nurtured, the incredible amount of time and energy I had put into learning and developing my skills, and how disorienting it had been for my ego identity. While acknowledging the grief I was also drawn to a higher level of perception--a new feeling of acceptance of myself. I no longer felt angry or ashamed at myself for not being able to process that period of my life in what I considered a timely way. In fact, I was able to see so much deep process and healing that I had done in that time while also holding space as a single mother and other life events. I suddenly felt at peace and had so much respect for myself. This event was significant because it sparked such a deep awareness. It demonstrated how Cayenne flower essence works on the soul level.
Literature Review
Cayenne is of the genus Capsicum Anuum, and family Solonaceae, often referred to as the Nightshade or Deadly Nightshade family so-called because of the tropane alkaloids they contain. “They include nicotine, solanine, capsicum, atropine, scopolamine, and hyposcyamine, chemicals that have been used as healing drugs in small doses, misunderstood or abused addictive drugs, and employed as pesticides and warfare agents”[3]. The genus includes plants like Bell pepper and Jalapeno. The family includes edible plants like potato, tomato, peppers, tomatillo and eggplant as well as a group of toxic plants like Belladonna, Mandrake, Jimson weed, Henbane and Tobacco. I found this last group particularly interesting because of the distinct message of danger I observed with Cayenne. Of course, the color red can be a universal warning sign, but also the way the flower head droops makes it appear intoxicated. Even though Cayenne is not toxic, the fruit can be extremely irritating if inhaled or comes in contact with eyes. It needs to be handled with caution.
The capsaicin in Cayenne is the alkaloid that gives it so many medicinal properties. They include pain relief from aching muscles, joints and nerve pain, anti-bacterial action especially against strep throat, pain and itch relief from skin conditions like psoriasis, congestion relief, dilating blood vessels which helps lower blood pressure, digestive aid, antioxidant, and cancer fighter. Cayenne is also used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
In my observation of the Cayenne plant I saw it being beneficial for circulation, the heart, and the brain, but didn’t see all of these other properties. However, I was repeatedly drawn to the denseness of the leaves and to the need for a temperate climate for its roots. Perhaps I was being directed to the cooling effect it can have as a counter-irritant. This means it initially irritates the surface, but then has the effect of numbing the pain. This is explained on the website chemistyviews.org this way: “application of cream leads first to a powerful ‘burning’ sensation at the site of the treated skin (nociceptors), followed by a pleasant feeling of warmth (improved blood flow), and finally a pain-relieving effect (endorphins)”. Another way Cayenne is cooling is through the process of perspiring. Spices that contain heat make the body perspire, called thermoregulation[4]. This is a perfect example of correlation between the physical characteristics of the plant and its medicinal properties. As cited earlier in an article on the mdpi, “temperature regulation is one of the most important factors for pepper growth.” So what the plant needs to be healthy, is what the plant offers as medicine—its vibration. Both properties of Cayenne, temperature regulation and counter-irritant, also reference how I was drawn to the feeling of opposition between the fruit and the flower—one being a dazzling red color, the other a pure white; one bringing fire/heat, the other, coolness. To me the polar energy forces are what make Cayenne an essence that balances action-taking with reflection, or the Fire element with the Water element. Those 2 forces in balance seem to bring transformation on a spiritual level as well, which is covered in the upcoming Astral.
Other medicinal properties of Cayenne are reflected in its historical use in healing rituals. The history of Cayenne is traced back to Mexico at least 7,000 years ago by anthropologists who found seeds on the floors of ancient caves and in fossil feces[5]. It is also believed to have grown and been used in Brazil and French Guiana. There are references to the name being derived from Tupi Indian, Aztec as well as Greek language. In fact, the town of Cayenne in French Guiana may be named after the plant. “Scientists believe that birds were mainly responsible for the spread of wild chili peppers”[6]throughout the vast region of Central and northern South America. This reminds me of the plant’s response, “birds”, to my query about who are her friends. As well, how pleased she seemed to be that the she had become so available through cultivation. It is said that Cayenne became cultivated about 5,000 years ago and archaeologists have found evidence in caves used as temporary shelters in the Oaxaca area that determine this. Below is an image of Cayenne retrieved from these sites where scientists discovered both wild and cultivated varieties.
It was introduced to Europe in the 1500’s via the Columbus explorations to the New World and quickly became one of the most popular spices in the world. In Chinese medicine Cayenne is known as a yang herbal and is used in combination with other herbs since its circulatory properties are thought to help to distribute their medicine throughout the body. In Ayurveda its energy is upward and outward, yang qualities, but also correlating with circulation of blood to the heart. These 2 holistic systems of medicine recognized Cayenne’s healing qualities centuries before western medicine. Additionally there is indication that indigenous people used the plant as a medicine for physical healing as well as for ritual purposes.
While I didn’t find any specific use of Cayenne in folklore, there a large amount with chili pepper in general. The native-languages.org website, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous languages of the Western Hemisphere, claims that Cayenne is chili pepper’s alternate name[7]. In Zuni mythology, chilis were associated with lightning bolts. In many cultures around the world, chilis are burned and used as a fumigant to deter vermin including bedbugs. In ancient times, this type of fumigation was used as protection from vampires and werewolves. There are so many rituals using chili peppers as some form of protection or exercisor of negative energy or evil spirits. For example there is a ritual from the people of Coahuila, MX where chilis are used to reverse the effects of the casting of a spell. There are other examples of lore where chilis have been used in a ritual to cause death. While there are other plants and objects involved in these rituals, chili peppers seem to be the common ingredient[8]. This correlates with my experience observing Cayenne. From the beginning of taking the flower essence when I woke up hearing the Bruce Springsteen song “I’m on Fire” to the imaginative perception exercise where I felt the plant demanded to be treated with respect because her medicine was powerful. The idea being that if used improperly it could harm you. As well, it corresponds to the cancer fighting medicinal properties.
With the completion of the literature review, I fully understand why the image of the spirit I saw during the tea ceremony made such an impact on me. Knowing the cultural importance and many medicinal uses, I am assured of the transformative, protective, balancing properties of the flower essence.
12 Windows of Perception Comparison
The 12 windows of plant perception as developed by the Flower Essence Society were enlightening and confirming of the many healing properties of Cayenne flower essence. The bell shape of the flower according to FES, signifies that its healing energies will be largely related to the body and will have a “cathartic, stimulating or grounding”[9] effect. Cayenne flower heads do often hang down like a bell, but in some varieties, the flower head faces up and would be classified as a star shape. I’ve observed some have 5 petals and some 6, which supports the idea that Cayenne is both—grounding and spiritually uplifting. The gesture of the whole plant, as I observed, is one of opposites working in harmony in support of each other.
Considering the botanical family of Cayenne was very illuminating. Learning about the poisonous plants included in the Nightshade family supported my observation of a sense of danger with Cayenne.
One of the interesting behaviors of Cayenne is that it takes about 100 days from flower to fruit. To me this suggests that transformation will take its time to bear fruit, which feels like a contrast to the firey, catalytic energy that the flower essence is known for. Perhaps it is the embodiment of balance—masculine and feminine energies—suggesting that real transformation is a process. There might be a flash of inspiration or insight, but it is followed with a process of real work to ground the spark into the body. The relationship to the environment also supports this idea. Cayenne needs a temperate climate. While it does grow in North America, it will die during the winter if it is too cold. In a temperate climate it is a perennial. The balance of forces is what distinguishes this plant. She may be powerful, but she vibrates harmony, suggesting that any disruption her healing may create will be for the benefit of the individual and possibly the full healing will take place over an extended period of time.
When considering Cayenne’s relationship to the other kingdoms, the human one has had the greatest impact. For centuries and in many different cultures it has been cultivated as a food/spice, as a multi-use medicinal and for its spiritual properties. Its impact on humans has been vast. Humans have also impacted the plant as it is now grown throughout 5 continents and become a star in many cultures’ diets beyond its birthplace of Central America, such as cuisines from India and China. Through this perspective, Cayenne can be seen as a beloved plant to be honored and respected. I would think then that part of the flower essence’s medicine would be to instill dignity in the self (like my personal experience) and one’s relationship to others and the Earth. Maybe Cayenne brings healing through inspiring harmony and acceptance of all cultures.
Knowing the chemical make-up of Cayenne shed so much light on her healing energy. As FES describes, plants with strong alkaloid compounds “indicate a penetration of the Astral element into the plant”, meaning it could be toxic to the body but stimulating to the astral body. While capsaicin is known to be a beneficial alkaloid in humans, its many physiological effects suggest that the flower essence is a strong stimulant to the astral body. Below are some impressions I had when meditating on Cayenne that speak to this conclusion.
Cayenne Flower Essence is good for the heart—physically and emotionally. It strengthens the heart by instilling courage to be vulnerable emotionally knowing you will not be undone by betrayal or loss. Cayenne’s secret to her strength is balance. She grows best in warm environments but doesn’t tolerate extremes well. The flower vibrates the energetic heat of the fruit but also the balance of the whole plant, in particular its roots which love the coolness of moist soil especially at night when temperatures lower and the plant can integrate the energy it received from the sun all day. Similarly the flower essence helps us gather our ideas (the heat) and focus (the cooling aspect) our mental energy. The Cayenne flower always keeps a cool head in contrast to the fruit which is a compact fiery red burst of energy. The flower is quite delicate looking but unassuming, almost plain in appearance. She may look simple but she has a quiet strength and integrity stemming from her courage to have faith. She is supported by the roots and leaves that provide shade and water. When her flower dies, the fruit is ready to come in.
Cayenne integrates at night, when it is quiet and cooler. The flower vibrates a bit of a mysterious energy with its downturned head and humble appearance. Working at night, moon energy is implied. Feminine strength of the ability to hold nurturing, heart-centered space for others as well as perspectives, while also balancing the heat of the masculine drive to be successful at all costs.
The Cayenne flower essence also vibrates joy. The heart can only receive abundance if it is open, healthy, and brave. Cayenne boosts our confidence by showing us that we are resilient and will not give up until we have put our ideas into action.
Conclusion
Integrating the information from the 4 planes and my literature review has led me to conclude that Cayenne flower essence is indeed a catalyst for focus and forward movement--a counter to stagnancy and procrastination. It is also an incredible remedy for healing on the spiritual level, where the soul recognizes that is life not about “success”, but about growth. By perceiving ourselves through a balanced lens, we can be successful in learning to have compassion for ourselves no matter what are our outward accomplishments. Resistance, out of negative feelings such as shame, regret or fear, to areas in our lives that need attention, can be transformed with a rebalancing of our feminine and masculine sides. Action, focus and a positive outlook are as important as compassion for our process.
The understanding I perceived through my own observations—visually, through song, meditation and ritual, as well as using the essence—pointed to Cayenne’s potency. With the additional information gathered through the literature review, I believe there is even more to learn about the healing vibrations of the flower essence.
Bibliography:
[1] Foster, Steven and Duke, James, Peterson, Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Houghton-Mifflin, 2014.
[2] mdpi.com, Effects of Night Low Temperature, retrieved 5/6/22
[3] fs.fed.us on-line database, retrieved 5/5/22.
[4] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Temperature, retrieved 5/4/22
[5] pnas.org, Precolumbian use of chili peppers in the Valley of Oaxaca. Retrieved 5/5/22.
[6] Legalnomads.com/history-chili-peppers. Retrieved 5/7/22.
[7] Native-languages.org/chili-pepper. Retrieved 5/9/22.
[8] Fieryfoodscentral.com, Chili Peppers in Legend and Lore. Retrieved 5/6/22.
[9] Kaminski, Patricia and Katz, Richard Flower Essence Repertory, The Flower Essence Society, 2019
