Capsicum
Pepper
Capsicum, commonly known as chili peppers, is a versatile genus celebrated for its pungent heat and nutritional richness. Beyond culinary uses, these plants offer significant medicinal value, containing capsaicin, which possesses potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. They are widely utilized in topical treatments to relieve various types of pain.
- Scientific name: Capsicum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal plant is identified by the genus Capsicum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Capsicum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Capsicum, is referred to by various common names across different languages and cultures. In English, it is often called Pimento (an), while in Arabic, it is known as فليفلة (ar). In Azerbaijani, the name used is Bibər (az), whereas in Catalan, it is called Pebrotera (ca), and in Czech, it is commonly known as paprika (cs).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| an | Pimento | Wikidata |
| ar | فليفلة | Wikidata |
| az | Bibər | Wikidata |
| ca | Pebrotera | Wikidata |
| cs | paprika | Wikidata |
| da | Paprika | Wikidata |
| de | Paprika | Wikidata |
| diq | İsot | Wikidata |
| el | Καψικόν | Wikidata |
| eo | Kapsiko | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several European regions. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, its range extends into Middle Europe. Specifically, it is distributed throughout Austria and the region of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the country of Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Capsicum, is highly valued for its medicinal properties, which are primarily concentrated within its specialized structures. The most significant part used is the fruit, though various species produce different types of fruits ranging from sweet to intensely spicy. The characteristic heat of these pepper fruits is derived from specific pungent ingredients, most notably capsaicin, which serves as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Interestingly, the highest concentration of these active compounds is often found within the placenta tissues, which are the internal structures connected to the seeds that deliver the intense spicy sensation.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| fruits | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pungent ingredients | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| placenta tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pepper fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleoresin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fresh fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Capsicum has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 41 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include capsaicin, Capsaicin, capsaicinoids, carotenoids, 1,3-dimethyluric acid.
- Total chemicals
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 41
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| capsaicin | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Capsaicin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| capsaicinoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,3-dimethyluric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-methyluric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-nitrophenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-nitrophenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-vanillyl-9E,12E,15E-octadecatrienamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-vanillyl-9E,12E-octadecadienamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Capsicum has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Capsicum has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, analgesic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, asthma.
- Total uses
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contact dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coughs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| earache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |