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If cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) is not the king of medicinal herbs, it is certainly a prince among them due to the incredible health benefits it gives. It may have been presumptuous for me to have first coined it "king of herbs" but I feel it is just that -- for there is no other medicinal herb or spice that can do what it can. If you have heard about Capsicum or are interested in its benefits, you've come to the right place. Bold to say yes, but I stand by it. For I am the one who conducted the...

Close window Published online: 15 February 2007; | doi:10.1038/news070212-11 Ancient foodies liked it hotDomesticated chillies may have seasoned cuisine more than 6,000 years ago.Heidi Ledford Hot stuff: chillies have been a part of our diets for longer than we thought.Linda Perry When it comes to cuisine, some traditions are sacred. A Thai curry, for example, should be spicy enough to make your eyes water and your nose run. The heat from Korean kim chi simply must sizzle your tastebuds and leave you gasping for relief. Now archaeologists have found that New World farmers may have established blistering traditions like...