🌴Caribbean Folk Medicine

Scotch Bonnet Pepper

spice

Scotch Bonnet Pepper

Scotch bonnet is a variety of chili pepper named for its supposed resemblance to a Scottish tam o' shanter bonnet. It is native to the Americas—a cultivar of Capsicum chinense, which originated in the Amazon Basin, Central and South America.

Conditions addressed

CirculationImmune SupportPain ReliefMetabolismInflammation

How to use

¼–1 tsp per meal
  • Add to meals during cooking, brew as tea, or mix into warm water with honey.
  • Use ¼–1 tsp per serving.

Interactions & contraindications

May thin the blood

Watch for: Anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), and other blood-thinning herbs or supplements (ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E)

Combining blood-thinning substances can increase bleeding risk, including before surgery or dental work.

May affect immune activity

Watch for: Immunosuppressants (for transplant or autoimmune conditions)

Immune-stimulating herbs can work against immunosuppressive therapy.