1. There are about 30 species of Capsicum plants, all of which are produced in America, with Bolivia in South America being the most. At present, there are two oldest pepper remains found, one in Ocampo Cave in northeastern Mexico and the other in Tevacan Valley in southeastern Mexico. Prove that pepper originated in America.

2. 159 1 year, Eight Chapters of Respect for Life written by Gao Lian, a dramatist and health care scientist in the Ming Dynasty, was published, in which "pepper" was recorded, which is the earliest known record of pepper in China. Thirty years later, the word "Qinjiao" was also included in Wang's "Qunfangpu".

3. However, it was not until the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty (1796–1820) that peppers were widely eaten in Hunan and Sichuan, and in the late19th century, Hunan cuisine and Sichuan cuisine with spicy characteristics were finally formed. Therefore, the history of China people eating spicy food widely is only over 200 years.

Extended data:

Pharmacological action of pepper;

1, Effect on digestive system: Pepper tincture can be used as a stomach tonic, which can stimulate appetite and improve digestion. Oral administration can increase saliva secretion and amylase activity.

2. Antibacterial and insecticidal effect: capsaicin has a significant inhibitory effect on Bacillus cereus, but has no effect on Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli.

3. Effect on circulatory system: Spicy substances can stimulate the taste receptors of human tongue, and reflexively raise blood pressure (no obvious effect on pulse).

4. Reddening effect: External liniment has a reddening effect on the skin, which makes the local blood vessels of the skin dilate and promotes vigorous blood circulation.

Extended source: Baidu Encyclopedia-Zanthoxylum bungeanum