Because of the cold and flu season affecting people in cold climates due to reduced sun exposure, I stocked in plenty of Vitamin D-3, (2,000 mg per day), and every anti-viral herb or supplement I could find during a 2 day research binge on Google. And yes, Cayenne pepper is on the list as well as Kyolic aged garlic, and many other immune boosters, and respiratory aids.
Do they work? Well, recently I came down with that achy, feverish, fatigued feeling that signaled a bout of flu coming on. It wasn't a cold because there was no nasal stuffiness, mucous, etc. I got on a bunch of the remedies I had on hand, made some organic chicken soup, laced with a bit of cayenne, and went to bed. I drank the HOT soup/broth liberally during the day, and it really seemed to help me feel better and it was so nourishing.
You're not supposed to take fever reducers when fighting a cold, or virus, unless it gets over 102 or 103. Just go to bed, cover up and do the "cure". Anyways, by the next day, I was starting to feel better. Third day, it was totally over. I was impressed to get over it so fast, because I don't have a particularly strong immune system.
I try to keep some organic chicken or beef broth in the pantry and I heat it to the boiling point and then dash some black pepper or cayenne into it. It really warms you up on cold days and is also a sustaining, healing food during fasts. ~Scarlett