Capsicum has been used since ancient times not only as a traditional medicine but also as a natural colorant. The medicinal properties of capsicum make it popular in both ayurvedic and homeopathic treatments. In Capsicum: The Genus Capsicum, experts provide information on all aspects of this plant, including its ethnobotany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, cultivation, tissue culture and commercial uses. Capsaicin, the pungent, principle component of capsicum, was used in the recent discovery of a "hot receptor," or pain sensor, in the human heart. This and a variety of other therapeutic properties have earned capsicum much industrial importance. This book details the therapeutic applications of capsaicin together with its action on different biological systems.