Cili Padi ................................................................. Capsicum frutescens Family: Solanaceae Other Common Names Cili Api, Cili Burung, Cili Jarum Region of Origin Mexico & Central America

Description
The red chilli is a popular fruiting vegetable among small farmers. The fruits are favourite condiments, are eaten raw, sometimes preserved, or to make sauce and dried chillies. Also a common Malaysian favourite is the Capsicum annuum (Cili besar; cili merah; cabai achong) – the less fiery version of the Cili Padi.

The Capsicum frutescens is also locally known as cili api; cili jarum; cili burung (bird pepper) and cili padi. There are many races of the two common chillis in Malaysia and these vary in pungency. Cili padi is a perennial with flowers in branches whereas cili merah is an annual with flowers borne singly from the leaf-axils.

The cili padi makes an attractive pot plant with its bright scarlet fruits set against its dark green foliage. Its white flowers are bisexual and solitary.

Propagation
Easily grown from seeds or cuttings. Always keep well watered (not saturated) if grown in pots or growing bags as they tend to dry out fairly quickly, more so than if planted straight into the ground, erratic watering will lead to problems such as blossom end rot or cracking of fruits. Mist plants regularly to keep down pests and encourage fruit set. It is wise to stake them if strong winds are common.

Medicinal Properties
Most of the medicinal properties it has are due to the chemical that gives it its flavor found in the fruit and seeds. This chemical is known as capsaicin. Capsaicin is said to do many miraculous things medicinally. One of the most miraculous is probably its ability to prevent or even stop a heart attack. It increases heart action without raising blood pressure. It also thins your blood and reduces the risks of suffering a stroke. Another good property that cili padi possesses is it acts as an internal disinfectant it can detoxify the colon and help with eliminative functions.

Cili padi also has properties which can knock out cold and flu miseries, or when used as a gargle can relieve sore throat pain. People with diabetes may take it to lower their blood sugar levels.

It is also very high in vitamin C so it acts as a preventative against respiratory infections and can help strengthen the immune system. It has also been proposed that the capsaicinoids might be useful in fighting cancer.

Notes
One should also be careful not to let any young children play with its attractive cylindrical berry as it will sting if the inside flesh comes in contact with eyes or skin.

Recent Western research has shown that its active ingredient, capsaicin, helps to metabolise food and prevent obesity, so chillies are recommended to weight watchers!

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