Cayenne Pepper
Capsicum annuum

The chilis from which this delightful pepper is made are native to Central and South America, but most of the pepper now used here comes from India and Africa. People in the southwest U.S. have long eaten dried chili peppers to support digestion and to soothe their throats. Cayenne red pepper contains a compound called "capsaicin" that can support your defense system and reduce sensitivity to pain. The healthful use of cayenne has excited some scientists about as much as red pepper excites your taste buds.