I think you're right, hot chili wasn't in China till Ming and Ching. Some sites do say it has some medical effects. Though some also say it's not good for sick people, e.g., https://med.sina.com/health/article_detail_100_2_2618.html.
Written by Mark Chu
I’m a professor of psychology at a small university in southern New Mexico. I like playing musical instruments, basketball, and writing stories.