African bird pepper (cayenne) has been one of the most contributory herbs I've taken since Dr. Christoper advised me to take it in 1975.
He was making a tour thru Michigan back then, I'd just had my first child and was excited to make the appointment with him. He showed me how to take the cayenne...I watched him put a full tablespoonful in a small glass of water, slug it down and follow it with a full glass of water. He recommended that I start with 1 tsp. I've never been without it since!