CHILLIES AS FOOD, SPICE AND MEDICINE: A PERSPECTIVE

From ancient time chillies has been used as food, spice and household medicine for several common problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pain to joint, skin problem, and used as carminative, appetizer, stomachic, beverages, relief of pain in neuropathy and counter irritant in treatment of rheumatism, lumbago. While it’s biological function is to repel herbivores animals and fungi. Capsicum is derived from the Greek word "Kapsimo" meaning "to bite." [Belonging to family Solanaceae] The therapeutic effect of chillies is due to capsaicin, protein, fixed oil, thiamine and ascorbic acid. This review covers the study of pharmacognosy, pharmacology, its valuable effects, different herbal formulas for various diseases, chillies preparations, marketed formulations along with its major side effects and contraindication.