Worldwide Bhut Jolokia became famous when it was tagged as the world’s hottest chili pepper. With a staggering 10 lakhs SHU (Scoville Heat Unit), it is now one of the hottest chili peppers. Despite its hotness this pepper has many health benefits.
There are many health benefits of eating Bhut Jolokia. Consuming Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) on a regular basis has prevented cancer, heart related disease, skin related diseases, lowers blood sugar and even produces antioxidants. In this post we will discuss the top 10 health benefits of this bhut jolokia.
I have been eating Bhut Jolokia in many forms. It is locally available in my place and I am growing it. So, in this post I will be discussing in detail about bhut jolokia- its plant, cultivation process and a lot more. At the end, we will see the 10 most amazing health benefits of Bhut Jolokia(Ghost Pepper).
The Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
The Bhut Jolokia is marvellous gift of nature. Despite being extremely hot, it possesses pleasant and palatable aroma. It’s name varies across different regions and countries. To know all the names, you can read from here.
Because of its spiciness, refreshing aroma and medicinal properties, it is used for pickle preparation, chili sauce, flavouring curries and for home remedies. We will discuss all of them in detail.
Nutritional Value of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) per 100 gram
| Energy | 24.44 Kilojoule |
| Carbohydrate | 2.36 grams |
| Protein | 1.59 grams |
| Dietary Fibre | 4.83 grams |
Nutritional Content of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) per 100 grams
| Iron | 1.98 miligrams |
| Zinc: | 0.15 milligrams |
| Phosphorous | 40 milligrams |
| Copper | 0.19 miligrams |
| Manganese | 0.19miligrams |
| Calcium | 8.79 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 17.59 milligrams |
| Capsaicin | 460 milligrams |
| Dihydro-capsaicin | 90 milligrams |
Different Names of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
Bhut Jolokia is the one of the hottest chili in the world. It is one of the chili or pepper extensively cultivated in North-Eastern Part of India since ancient times. It is grown especially in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim.
There are nearly 220 languages spoken by the people of North-Eastern States of India. So, Bhut Jolokia has different names in different parts of the North-East and in different countries.
We have listed the most common names of Bhut Jolokia you might come across.
| Names | Meaning | Part ofIndia |
| Bhut Jolokia | Ghost Chili | Assam, India |
| Bih Jolokia | Poison Chili | Assam, India |
| Naga Jolokia | Named after ferocious Naga Tribe | Nagaland, India |
| Nagahari | Named after ferocious Naga Tribe | Nagaland, India |
| Raja Mirchi | King of Chilies | Nagaland, India |
| Borbih Jolokia | Any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism. | Assam, India |
| King Chilly | Worldwidr | |
| Ghost Pepper | Worldide | |
| Naga Morich | Named after ferocious Naga Tribe | Bangladesh |
| Umorok | Tree Chili | Manipur, India |
Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) Plant
The species in which Bhut Jolokia belongs is Capsicum Chinese and Solanaceace Family. The leaves are broad and Bhut Jolokia Fruit is wrinkled. These are the main characteristics of the Bhut Jolokia plant.
It is a self-pollinated plant but cross pollination also occurs. It grows mainly in rainy hot humid climates like north-east India and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh.
Let us discuss the details of Ghost Pepper Plant
Height
The Bhut Jolokia Plant grows upto a height of 45-120 cm (17-47 inches). If you grow in soil, it can reach its maximum height. But if you grow in a container, it’s height will remain minimum. But, to get maximum fruit you can do 3G cutting.
Leaves
The leaves of the Bhut Jolokia plant are bigger than the traditional chili pepper plant. The leaves are ovate in shape and look wrinkled.
Leaves Length – 10-14 cm Leaves Width- 5-7 cm
The wrinkled, big and ovate leaves give the characteristic look of Bhut Jolokia Plant. Leaves of this plant have medicinal properties. For details you can see here.
Flowers
Flowers have a duplicitous color on them. Mainly it is greenish but has a touch of light brown in them. The anthers (female part) is pale blue in color and filament(male part) is purple color.
Fruit
It is the most important part of Bhut Jolokia Plant. It has unique characteristics. The fruit has wrinkled and large pods, which owes to its unique characteristics. You can see extra details of the fruit below.
| Fruit Shape | Subconical to Conical |
| Fruit length | 6-8.5 cm |
| Fruit Weight | 7-9 grams |
| Fruit Surface | Rough & Uneven |
| Seed color | Light Tan |
| No of Seeds per fruit | 19-35 |
| Fruit Color | Orange, Dark Red, Light Red, Dark Chocolate. |
Cultivation of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) is widely cultivated in North-Eastern states of India. It is mainly grown in the states of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, etc. It is grown both as rabi and kharif cropping season.
Replanting is the best way to grow this chili pepper. It takes 15-20 days to germinate and should be placed in a sunny place. Replanting to the main field should be done after 30 days.
Soil
For optimal growth of Bhut Jolokia requires sandy loam, clay loam and laterite soil. It should be well drained also. The pH of soil should be 5.5 to 6.
Temperature
The Optimum temperature for growing Bhut Jolokia is 26 to 32 degree Celsius (80-90 F) .
Season/ Weather Condition
This chilli pepper grows mainly in areas having hHigh levels of warmth & humidity.
Diseases
Ghost Pepper Plant is most prone to disease. During its growth it gets several diseases from fungi, bacteria and viruses. The most common disease is rotting of fruits that is due to fungal infection.
| Type of Disease causing Pathogen | Effect on Bhut Jolokia Plant |
| Fungal | Rotting of Fruits, Anthracnose, Dieback, Roting of Stem and Collar, Leaf Spot |
| Bacteria | Wilting |
| Virus | Leaf Curl |
Price of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
In the local market around Guwahati, Assam, you can buy 4 bhut jolokia for ₹ 20. In the wholesale market it costs around ₹500 per kg. But in foreign countries its value increases to ₹1500 per kg or even $1 per bhut jolokia.
If you want to use bhut jolokia and not available in your location. You buy bhut jolokia sauce online and get the health benefit of it.
Why is Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) so hot?
Plants belonging to Capsicum species have 5 compounds that make it hot. These compounds are responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers of the capsicum.
To list, they are
- Capsaicin
- Dihydro-Capsaicin
- Nor-Dihydro-Capsaicin
- Homo-Capsaicin
- Homo-Hydro-Capsaicin
Capsaicin and Dihydro-Capsaicin is found more than 80% in chili peppers. But Capsaicin is the main responsible factor of hotness in a chili pepper. Bhut Jolokia contains more 3 to 5 % Capsaicin than normal chili pepper. That’s why Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) is hot.
To measure the hotness of chili pepper, SHU is the unit used. To know more, you can read it from here.
Uses of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper) is indegious to the people of North-Eastern region of India. Apart from using it as a food and as aspice, it is used to cure many ailments.
Let us discuss each us in details
Medical Use
Traditionally, Bhut Jolokia plant is used for curing many diseases and ailments since olden times. Mainly the leaves and fruit is used.
| Disease/Ailment | Parts of Plant Used | Mode of Administration |
| Asthma | Main Fruit | Ripe Fruit consumed orally daily on regular basis |
| Gastrointestinal abnormalities | Main Fruit | Unripe Fruit consumed orally |
| Toothache and Muscle Pain | LocalHot infusion of Bhut Jolokia (not ion injured tissue) | |
| Removal of Pus from Boil | Tender leaves | Paste of tender leaves applied locally |
| Headache | Leaves | Paste of leaves applied locally on forehead |
| Night Blindness | Leaves | Paste of leaves applied locally |
| Arthritis | Main Fruit | Paste of ripe fruit applied locally |
| Sun Stroke | Main Fruit | Lemonade of Bhut Jolokia |
Food
As a food, jolokia is eaten in many forms. To list some of them are.
- Bhut Jolokia Pickle
- Bhut Jolokia Sauce
- Spice
- Chutney
- Chilli Flakes, Powder & Paste
Pickle of Bhut jolokia is the most popular and common way of eating it.
Next to it, Bhut Jolokia Sauce is the second most common way of eating. It can be used to spice up our food ranginging from Indian to Cinese to continental. You can read our detailed review on the best Bhut Jolokia Sauce from here.
Defense Use
Due to the high amount of heat in Bhut Jolokia. Government and companies have produced different products of bhut jolokia for defense purposes. To list some of them are.
- Chili Grenade
- Ghost Pepper Sauce Aerosol
- Pepper Spray
- Insect Repellant
10 Amazing Health Benefits of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper)
#1. Pain Reliever
Capsaicin triggers our brain to produce endorphins. Endorphins is the natural pain killer and it produces a sense of wellbeing. 0.46 grams of capsaicin is found per 100 grams in Ghost Pepper.
A patch of capsaicin is used for pain relief. You can find capsaicin gels made from Bhut jolokia in the market nowadays.
Capsaicin in addition to other medicine and herbs makes capsaicin products more effective as painkillers for minor muscle aches, backaches, brushes and sprains.
#2. Curing Arthritis
Arthritis is most common in old age that causes pain and disability in older people. Bhut Jolokia is used to treat arthritis and is quite successful.
You have to make a fine paste of Bhut Jolokia, Garlic, Ginger, Betel Nut Leaf, Sesame and salt. Then the paste should be heated. After that it should be applied directly over the joints where there is pain as a patch..
After 60 minutes you can remove the paste applied. Then it should be washed with lukewarm water and massage the area with oil. This procedure starts giving relief within 10 days.
#3. Cure Skin Diseases
The capsaicin found in Bhut Jolokia is said to cure skin diseases. Eating Bhut Jolokia prevents us from many skin diseases.
There are many gels made from capsaicin of Bhut Jolokia to treat skin diseases like shingles and psoriasis and other skin disorders.
#4. Cancer Prevention
Studies have revealed that eating Bhut Jolokia or Ghost Pepper helps us to prevent cancer. The capsaicin in Bhut Jolokia represses the growth of cancer causing cells. It stops metabolic activity and kills the cancer cells.
It is found that capsaicin was able to block breast cancer spreading to other cells. Moreover, it kills cancer causing cells of the prostate gland.
Dihydro-capsaicin found in Bhut Jolokia helped to induce our body to kill colon cancer cells.
#5. Antioxidant
Bhut Jolokia has antioxidant properties. It contains beta carotene and anti -oxidants which supports our immune system and helps to boost metabolism and increases the body heat, fighting off cold and flu.
The antioxidant property in Bhut Jolokia can even prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Consuming of Bhut Jolokia supples the right amount of the required antioxidants for our body. It promotes health, prevent diseases and treatment of ailments
thereby providing health security.
#6. Weight Reduction
This is one of the important health benefits of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper). If you eat it in any form, it reduces body fat accumulation.
In a study, it was found that the capsaicin in Ghost Pepper altered thermogenesis and lipid metabolism related protein.
The non-pungent compound found in Ghost Pepper is responsible for weight loss. Eating regularly Bhut Jolokia promotes reduction ion body weight and oxidation of body fat.
#7. Gastrointestinal Benefit
Our stomach and intestines have many types of sensory nerve endings. One of the types of nerve is capsaicin- sensitive sensory nerves. This type of nerves plays an important role in the maintenance of gastrointestinal mucosa.
Gastrointestinal mucosa is responsible for protection of the inner lining of the digestive system.
Capsaicin found in bhut jolokia helps our gastrointestinal mucosa to remain strong and intact.
#8. Cardiovascular Activity
Preventing heart diseases is one the most important health benefits of Bhut Jolokia. All the types of compounds found in Bhut Jolokia are used to cure and prevent several heart diseases.
To list some of them are.
- coronary heart disease
- myocardial infarction
- hypertension
- Atherosclerosis.
Studies reveal that capsaicin inhibits the clotting of blood and platelet aggregation. It can pass through the plasma membrane of platelets and thus alter membrane fluidity.
Serum lipoproteins are responsible for transportation and delivery of fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol. Consumption of bhut jolokia regularly for 4 weeks can increase the resistance of serum lipoproteins to oxidation in adult men and women.
#9. Decreases blood sugar
Bhut jolokia has a wonderful health benefit in diabetic patients. Capsaicin found in bhut jolokia is reported to have antidiabetic activity.
Eating ghost pepper in any form, lowers the blood sugar to normal level for a diabetic patient. So, if you’re diabetic patient you can consume jolokia sauce. You can check our post for the best bhut jolokia sauce and buy it online.
#10. Improves liver functions
Consuming bhut jolokia in any form improves our liver function. Studies have shown that it can even cure injury caused in our liver.
Carbon Tetrachloride(CCl4) found in many aerosols, CFC gases, and industrial use have profound effects on liver damage. Studies reveal that capsaicin protect the liver against Carbon Tetrachloride liver damage.
Conclusion
In this post we have seen the 10 amazing health benefits of Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper). Other than that there are many other benefits of eating it. So, if you want to get its benefits you can start using Bhut Jolokia Sauce which is available online.
Great and wonderful article.
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