You might believe you know how to utilise chilli, adding spice to every dish from Masala to burgers. These petite fireballs can transform the dullest meal into a burst of flavour, leaving you yearning for respite – albeit briefly, until you’re ready to dive in for more!
However, the potential of chillies extends far beyond the culinary realm. They’ve found application in diverse fields, including medicine, defence, and even, discreetly put, the bedroom. Here are 10 surprising and unconventional uses of chillies that innovative individuals have explored through the ages!
Militarised Chillies
Who would have imagined chillies could have a role in military technology? The Indian Army did. They’ve devised weaponry and ammunition featuring the formidable Bhut Jolokia chilli, harnessing the fiery might of the Ghost Pepper to immobilise and disorient adversaries. This grants soldiers invaluable moments to regroup and secure themselves in perilous situations.
Agricultural Pesticide
On occasion, farmers must confront unusual pests that necessitate unconventional solutions. While ordinary insects and small creatures are typical crop destroyers, what do you do if your nuisance is an enormous elephant? That’s right, an elephant! In North-East India, farmers have ingeniously addressed this issue by coating their fences with chilli paste. This discomforts elephants’ heightened sense of smell, keeping them at a distance from farmlands.
Chilli Anaesthesia
This relatively recent development is credited to Welsh Chef Mike Smith and scientists from Nottingham Trent University, who have created a novel chilli, ominously christened Dragon’s Breath. Boasting an eye-watering 2.48 million SHU on the Scoville scale, these diminutive demons genuinely live up to their name. Dragon’s Breath is so potent that it can numb human skin upon contact, offering a potential medical anaesthetic for patients with allergies to conventional anaesthesia.
Chillies for Self-Defence
Many are aware that people carry pepper spray for personal protection, but not everyone knows that it’s derived from chilli peppers! The primary ingredient in pepper spray is oleoresin, a chemical present in hot chillies, which induces a burning sensation and eye-nose inflammation, resulting in temporary blindness lasting 30-60 minutes – ample time for the victim to escape! These pepper sprays are non-lethal and are therefore legally employed for self-defence worldwide.
Chillies Bring Good Fortune, Love, and Prosperity
In India, most people are familiar with the lemon-chilli combination often hung outside homes and shops. These amulets, known as “Nazar-Battu” in Hindi, are believed to bring good luck by warding off evil spirits. This belief stems from a mythological tale involving Alakshmi, the malevolent sister of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity, who had a penchant for pungent and spicy food. Thus, Nazar-Battu is thought to satiate Alakshmi’s appetite and discourage her from casting malevolent spells on the household. It’s true what they say – the way to an evil spirit’s heart is through her stomach!
Chilli Home Décor
In Mexico, people have a longstanding tradition of using chillies to embellish their homes and Christmas trees during the festive season. This undoubtedly infuses a unique fragrance into the surroundings, provided nobody mistakenly handles the chillies and rubs their eyes!
Chilli Balms
Experiencing the weariness and discomfort of a long day’s toil? No worries – just apply some chilli paste to the afflicted area! At least, that’s what Native Americans are believed to have done. They often rubbed their gums with chillies to alleviate toothaches and used chilli pastes as topical ointments for soothing sore muscles and joint pains.
Chilli Currency
Some early civilizations, especially in the Americas, reportedly used chillies as a form of currency. Whether as part of a broader barter system or a portable and enduring unit of value, chilli enthusiasts today who hoard their stash like precious commodities can surely relate!
A Gateway to a Long and Healthy Life
Chillies have the potential to help prevent various health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and specific cancer types. Some peppers have demonstrated the ability to promote blood clotting in the event of injuries, while others can be utilised to regulate blood pressure. Modern scientists are even investigating the applications of Cayenne Pepper in cancer treatment by disrupting tumour growth.
Spice Up Your Romantic Life
Chillies have served as aphrodisiacs for centuries. Consuming spicy peppers can elevate one’s libido by increasing heart rate, stimulating sweat glands, and releasing endorphins that induce excitement and an overall positive mood. It’s a win-win situation for all!
