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You might have missed the news that the capsaicin, or hot pepper, was named the 2016 Herb of the Year. OK, some of you might be thinking the International Herb Association is grabbing at straws selecting the capsaicin, but they're not. Hot peppers were first thought to be a spice and not a fruit or veggie when they were first discovered. In fact, Christopher Columbus discov- ered them while he was searching for a new trade route to the Spice Islands off Asia. But he ended up in the Caribbean instead. While there he discovered these red pods everyone was using to spice up their food. He thought they were just a different form of black pepper. This new spice spread throughout the world faster than any other spice before or since then. These spicy peppers spread so fast, and to so many parts of the world, many today still think they are native to their own countries. Sorry, they are only truly native to South America alone. This may be a surprise to you, or not if you're a foodie, but the No. 1 food trend for 2016 is hot and spicy food using the hottest peppers one can find. There is more propa- gation and hybridization of hot peppers these days than any other plant. Everyone is trying to grow the next hottest pepper. I even have a strain that was sent to me by a friend to grow and evaluate for him. It is a cross between three of the hottest peppers around. He has initially named it "Major Pain." Many garden centers are starting to offer some of these super-hot peppers today and have been available through specialty com- panies on the Web for years. Ask me some time and I'll share my favorite online com- pany for great seeds. The culinary use of hot peppers has been around for a long time, even dating back to the Aztecs. It was used to spice up a bland diet of mainly vegetables, beans and pota- toes. It was a staple used in just about everything, including salsa and sauces. Today, salsa out sells every other condi- ment on the market. But, it's not only about the rush you get from the endorphin release from eating hot peppers, although I admit that's part of it. They also have many medicinal qualities as well. I'm not talking witch doctor stuff here either; these are recent studies by rep- utable doctors, neurologists and pharma- cologists. Check out the George Mateljan Foundation of healthy living for sources. Let's take a look at some of these benefits. Capsaicin fights inflammation, both externally and internally, and was recently be studied for its benefits of treating arthri- tis and diabetic and other nerve disorders. It is also a natural pain reliever for the same afflictions, used as a topical applica- tion, and has shown great results. It also stimulates secretions that help clear mucus from stuffed noses or congest- ed lungs. It also boosts your immune sys- tem with high levels of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps create healthy mucous membranes in your lungs, intestinal and urinary tracts that are involved in your first line of defense against invading pathogens. It also helps fight against ulcers, not cause them. It kills bad bacteria in the stomach and also helps build a healthy stomach wall. It also helps regulate blood sugar for those battling with Type 2 diabetes. It seems, the more capsaicin you add to your diet, your insulin requirements drop lower. Studies are also ongoing as to how cap- saicin naturally lowers cholesterol and therefore might be helpful in lowering risks of heart disease. Last but definitely not least, it is being studied as a use against cancer, especially prostate cancer. It seems to have a mecha- nism in it that makes cancer cells basically commit suicide. Maybe some day capsaicin pills might be used as a preventative or reoccurrence measure with those with can- cer. Now I'm not saying you have to become a chili head by eating the hottest of the hottest here. Capsaicin can be found in all hot peppers, even the mild ones. So try spic- ing up your life a little, or a lot, and reap some great health benefits along the way. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horticulturalist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia.) HOMES PLUS MAY 2016 2 Low Rates for your

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