 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Have a hot time with chilli
Most of us view the humble chilli as no more than a condiment used to spice up cooking, and which is usually extremely hot to the palate. It is the hot, burning characteristic of the plant which makes it very useful around the home for a myriad of safe, natural products. It will deter dogs and cats from making a mess of your garden and will help to alleviate the miseries of cold and flu during the winter months.
You can grow your own chilli, and there are hundreds of different varieties suitable to most climatic conditions in Australia, or simply buy them from your favourite greengrocer.
Chillies are very successful in deterring cats and dogs from digging in and around your favourite plants, and also in keeping cats from staking territorial claims. Dogs especially hate chilli powder - just sprinkle it on plants and places you don't want the animal to go. To keep cats from staking claims in your yard, grind up a whole bulb of garlic and mix with one teaspoon of cayenne chilli pepper and one litre of tepid water. Cover the mixture, steep for two hours, then strain it through muslin cloth into a suitable watering can or pump-spray bottle. Use whenever necessary.
An all-purpose insecticide that will control wireworm, caterpillars, weevils, blackfly and aphids and leaf-sucking insects, can be made by bringing to the boil in one litre of water three chopped chillies, half a sliced onion and one clove of chopped garlic. Remove from heat, cover and steep for two days and strain. This spray can be used on both indoor and outdoor plants and can be frozen for future use.
Before using the insecticide, mix in a little soft soap, or soapy water, so that it adheres to the plants.
Chillies can also be ground up into a powder, using a pestle and mortar, and dusted on cabbages, cauliflowers, tomatoes, etc, to kill caterpillars. Store in a suitable container with holes in its lid, and use as required.
At the onset of the first symptoms of cold and flu, or if you are already suffering from the miseries of a bad cold, the addition of cayenne chilli to the following remedy will quickly give relief.
Put two cloves of crushed garlic, half a teaspoon of ground ginger, one tablespoon of honey, the juice of one lemon and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a pre warmed ceramic cup. Add boiling water, cover and allow to steep for ten minutes. Strain, reheat and drink immediately.
A split chilli left to soak in warm vinegar for a few hours is reputed to aid in reducing the aches of rheumatism. Soak a cloth in the liquid and apply to the ache until it has gone.
When handling or grinding up chillies be sure to wear rubber cloves, and be careful not to touch your face, mouth or eyes when handling them - it burns and irritates for quite a long time. If you do get chilli in your eyes, wash with milk or olive oil.
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