Capsicum pepper.

Capsicum: description, cultivation and medicinal properties

Capsicum is an annual herbaceous plant of the nightshade family, which can reach a height of up to 1 meter. The plant has an erect and spreading stem. Capsicum leaves are ovate or lanceolate, have petioles and can be green or dark purple in color, as well as glabrous or pubescent.

Capsicum blooms in May-July, and the flowers are white, yellow or purple, solitary or collected in a short inflorescence. Capsicum fruits are conical in shape and droop or stick out, and their color can be yellow or red. Pepper fruits ripen in autumn.

Capsicum is thermophilic and is not found in the wild in Russia. However, in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Moldova, Central Asia and other countries, capsicum crops are grown. In protected soil, the habitat of pepper has significantly expanded to the northern regions of the country. To grow capsicum, seedlings grown in pots are used. Plant seedlings in the ground after the threat of late frost has passed.

Capsicum produces high yields on fairly fertile, moist soil, but cannot withstand waterlogging. The plant is light-loving and does not grow well in the shade. It is placed on beds at a distance of 25-30 cm with a row spacing of 50-60 cm. The optimal plant growth temperature is 20 °C.

There are two groups of capsicum varieties: vegetable and spicy. Vegetable varieties are used for food in an unripe form, and spicy varieties are used ripe as a seasoning for first and second courses. Capsicum fruits are used for stewing, stuffing, canning, pickling, pickling, as well as for making sauces, juice and paste.

Capsicum also has medicinal properties. Ripe pepper fruits are used as medicinal raw materials. The fruits contain sugar, starch, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins C, B, P, carotene and the alkaloid capsaicin, which gives the fruits a fiery taste.

Preparations made from the fruits of capsicum have a distracting, analgesic and appetite-stimulating effect. When applying the drugs to the skin, a feeling of warmth appears without causing a burn. Capsaicin is also used as a component in the treatment of pain and inflammation in many conditions such as arthritis, neuropathic pain, migraine, obesity, etc.

However, when consuming large amounts of capsicum, irritation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and increased production of gastric juice may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to use capsicum with caution, especially for people with digestive problems.

In general, capsicum is a valuable plant that is not only a tasty seasoning for dishes, but also has medicinal properties. However, it must be remembered that the use of capsicum should be moderate and careful.