Re: substitute for cayenne

I believe the genus of the cayenne pepper is Capsicum and there are a number of other peppers in that genus. Whether or not using something else even in the same genus will have the same healing effects I honestly don't know. What we do know is that cayenne has amazing healing and medicinal properties so as my motto goes "if it ain't broke. Don't fix it. The link below has some very good info on the properties of cayenne.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/cayenne.htm

I know it to have anticeptic properties and helps the blood coagulate in wounds. It can also help keep someone stay alive that is having a heart attack. I carry a bottle of cayenne in my wilderness 1st aid kit. Being a canoer and often paddling some pretty cold waters it can help in cases with someone going into hypothermia.