Magical and Medicinal Properties of Chili Peppers

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Fidelity, Hex-Breaking, Love

Magical Uses and History: Chili pepper, which refers to a large number of edible peppers in the Capsicum genus, has long been beloved for its magical and medicinal properties, especially in Latin America, where it is native. They were an essential part of indigenous culture, being used by the Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, and others to ward off illness, disease, and evil, and to improve digestion.

In Ancient Inca culture, the chili pepper, or uchu or huayca, was considered a holy plant sacred to Agar-Uchu or "Brother Chili Pepper." Agar-Uchu was one of the "Four Brothers" found in the Incan creation myth and brother to the first Incan king. These four brothers symbolized the early kings and their teachings, a reflection of the civilization's diet and medicinal practices.

The chili pepper is also found within the Codex Mendoza, which contains records of the Aztecs. A number of illustrations can be found within of chili peppers, further suggesting its importance among Latin American peoples. The Aztecs were known to use chili peppers to spice a cocoa bean drink known as tchocoatl, as well as to flavor dishes. It was also used as a form of currency as it was an important trade food at markets and was even collected as tribute. Archaeological evidence, along with written and oral traditions, suggests that the chili pepper was also used in spiritual practices and offered as a gift to the gods. It was sometimes burned to cleanse spaces and people, its intense heat believed to ward off evil and unwanted spirits. There is also record of chili pepper smoke being used as a weapon as well as a punishment for unruly children and excessively angry or rageful adults, as inhaling the vapors caused irritation to the eyes, nose, and mouth. Ouch! In fact, chili peppers were among the first weapons of chemical warfare, used by the Taino people to fight off the Spaniards. Gourds filled with ash and dried chilis were flung at the invaders. Upon exploding, these gourds released clouds of stinging flakes, slowing down and even killing some of their enemies. This harsh, stinging smoke is also believed to ward off negativity and evil and was sometimes used at burial sites to protect visitors and to keep vermin away.

In Mayan culture, shamans used chili peppers, along with other herbs such as tobacco, to induce an altered state of consciousness, allowing them to divine the future and communicate with the gods. A 2024 study involving DNA analysis of soil samples from a ballcourt at the ancient city of Yaxnohcah on the Yucatán Peninsula found traces of four specific plants: chili peppers, xtabentun, jool, and chilcahuite. These four plants, which were known for their magical properties, point to either a divination ritual or a "fix earth" ritual to bless the newly constructed ballcourt space and propitiate the gods for future activities. 

Needless to say, the chili pepper was a central part of Latin American cultures, being used for a wide variety of purposes. As such, the chili pepper can be used in a wide variety of spells, rituals, and rites. Use in spells to attract money, burn to ward off evil spirits and cleanse objects, leave as an offering to your ancestors or deities, or use in divination rituals or hedge riding. Scatter chili pepper seeds around your house to break hexes or prevent unwanted entities from entering, or hang dried chilis near entrances for similar purposes. Add to hot foot powders to force someone to leave.

Among these cultures, the chili pepper was also widely used in medicine, often to treat respiratory infections, break fevers, and alleviate digestive issues. In Aztec medicine, chili peppers were mixed with cacao and vanilla to create an aphrodisiac. In other cultures, men would rub raw chilis on their genitals to numb the surrounding area, allowing for prolonged sexual pleasure. As such, chili peppers can be used to 'heat up' spells and rituals, especially those related to love, lust, and sexual pleasure. Add to drinks and foods to enflame your lover or place in your bedroom for similar purposes.

It wasn't until much later that the chili pepper arrived in Europe via the Spice Route. The first samples to arrive were incredibly expensive and reserved almost exclusively for botanists and aristocrats. By the sixteenth century, European nobles were primarily growing chili peppers not as a food source, but as ornamental garden plants. However, the chili pepper spread to the countryside, where it became known as "the poor people's peppers" because it was used instead of the extremely expensive black pepper. The correspondences here are contradictory, being both expensive and cheap. As such, chili peppers would be beneficial in financial spells where you are looking to bring down the price of something or make something more affordable. You can also use chili peppers to alter one's opinion of something, changing their perceived value of the object.

Sadly, I have barely scratched the surface of chili pepper folklore, myth, and legend. Because 'chili pepper' is a broad term, there is no way I could possibly include all of the magical history associated with this wonderful genus of plants. As such, I encourage you to dive further into the chili pepper on your own, adding to the information I have shared with you today.

Medicinal Uses: Chili pepper is a broad term, referring to a large number of edible peppers that contain capsaicin and are found in the Capsicum genus. When it comes to herbal remedies, Capsicum annuum, also known as cayenne pepper, is the most commonly used. 

Chili peppers are a counterirritant due to high levels of capsaicin, meaning that when they are applied externally to the skin, they cause irritation and swelling. While on the surface this sounds counterintuitive, it's actually beneficial when added to creams and salves to treat muscle aches and pains, as it helps increase circulation to the applied area, thus helping to heal and alleviate the pain. Due to the high levels of capsaicin, chili peppers are also used to treat nerve pain, especially nerve pain related to shingles and diabetes. However, this tonic is often only available through prescription. Chili peppers are also a stimulant and can be combined with other herbs to treat throat infections, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis, increase circulation, and strengthen the digestive system. As a diaphoretic, it is useful in ‘breaking’ a fever. As a carminative, chilli is also used to treat flatulence, dyspepsia, and colic. Please note that chili pepper is not recommended for use in people with gastric ulcers, hyperacidity, or hypertension.

Preparation and Dosage: To make an infusion, combine one-half to one teaspoon of dried chili pepper (cayenne pepper) with one cup of boiling water. Allow the mixture to infuse for up to 10 minutes. Strain and mix one tablespoon of this infusion in a cup of hot water. Drink up to 3 times a day. As a tincture, take between 0.25 and 1 milliliter combined with water up to 3 times a day. To create a salve, combine 1/2 cup of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of chili pepper (cayenne pepper powder). Gently heat the mixture over low heat, allowing it to warm completely before removing from the heat and allowing it to cool for 20 minutes. Repeat this process 3-5 more times, or allow the mixture to sit for a week in a sunny location. Strain and combine the oil with 1/2 ounce of beeswax in a double boiler and heat until the beeswax has melted and the mixture is well combined. Use to treat mild aches and pains, sore joints, bruises, and nerve pain. Do not touch your eyes or mucosal membranes, as it will cause burning. It is best to use gloves when working with and applying chili pepper remedies, followed by handwashing.

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