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It's another word for pepper (as in, the vegetable), commonly used by Brits and Australians. Learn more about it here: http://www.answers.com/capsicum
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∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoCapsicum is pepper
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What is the correct spelling of capiscum?
Capsicum.
Why do jalapenos burn skin?
The burning chemical in peppers of the genus Capiscum is capsaicin. It's a strong mucous membrane and skin irritant, and also a neural agent. Molecules of capsaicin bind with the neurosensors that detect abrasion and heat, hence the association between peppers and burning sensations. The exact mechanism of irritation seems to be stimulation of the aforementioned neurochemoreceptor, VR1. This compound is non-water soluable, and as such is difficult to remove. One of the best ways seems to be exposure to the protein casein, common in milk, to which capsaicin seems to readily bond (so you can drink milk to overcome the burning sensation -- somewhat). In ecology, the capsaicin is an irritant only to mammals. With birds, it produces an analgesic effect and in fact birds are the ones that spread Capiscum seeds. Seeds passing through mammal GI tracts fail to germinate, so this clearly is an evolutionary feature that deters mammals from eating these fruit. Capsaicin is also the active ingredient in Pepper Spray, the non-lethal weapon. It's severe enough that the use of pepper spray is banned in military operations. Capsaicin is also now used in a weird variety of pharmaceutical applications ranging from pain control (!) to oncology.
What is the scientific name of vegetables and fruits?
The botanical names for the edible vegetable plant parts and some examples of each are: Fruits-cucumbers, bell peppers, pumpkins,and tomatoes Flowers-broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes Leaves-lettuce, cabbage, onions, and spinach Roots-carrots, beets, radishes, and parsnips Seeds-corn, beans, and peas Tubers-potatoes and yams Stems-celery, leeks, and rhubarb
How do you treat hot pepper skin burns?
I am assuming you are referring to chemical burns from an actual pepper (Capiscum family), or from pepper spray as used in the US, which is based on capsaicin -- a derrivitive of the actual pepper itself (other countries use different compounds that may not have exactly the same process).That said, flush with water, then with milk (yes, Milk). Capsaicin, the active ingredient in peppers that make them hot, bonds with the neural sensors that detect abbrasion pain, and light them up. Once the bond is complete (and you can feel the pain) it's nearly impossible to break the bond. The mill, contains the protein casein which may have a greater affinity for bonding to capsaicin than the proteins in your own neural tissue.If it's in the eyes, I'd use a saline eye wash, but I've also heard Visine works well. There is, however, no really fully effective remedy.Once the capsaicin breaks down, you're left with chemical irritation, that you treat as you would any such disorder: cold pack, antiseptics if the skin is broken, bandaging if necessary. Barring allergic reactions, which are rare, this should heal easily over a week or less.One exposure to the eyes SEEMS to be undamaging, but repeated exposure can injure the cornea.NOTE -- capsaicin bonds super-easily, so make Certain you wear gloves when treating this -- also wear gloves when handling super hot peppers (habeneros for instance -- or even jalapenos).
