Capsaicin is an herb derived from cayenne peppers. Capsaicin is said to directly impact the nerves by sending a message directly to the brain to stop the signal of pain. The brain responds by increasing the amount of endorphins being dispersed, thereby temporarily reducing the physical feelings of pain. It has been more commonly used to reduce pain through topical creams; however, there are other uses for capsaicin, as well as other methods to consume the herb.
Capsaicin is an ingredient in many topical skin preparations used to relieve pain. Capsaicin is available as a cream, ointment, stick, pad, gel, liquid, or lotion.
Capsaicin is actually an irritant to humans, producing a burning sensation in any tissue it touches. Capsaicin works by depleting or interfering with substance P, a chemical involved in transmitting pain impulses to the brain. The properties of capsaicin make it an option for relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy. Capsaicin is used to relieve muscle pain, joint pain, or nerve pain.
Stick to the directions, but if you should inadvertently miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember -- unless it's close to the time of the next dose.
Though there are no recognized drug interactions with capsaicin, ask your doctor to be sure that you can use capsaicin, and continue to take your current medications. It's important to inform your doctor about any products you are using.
You will likely experience a warm, burning, stinging sensation when you begin using capsaicin. The sensation, which is expected when beginning use, may actually continue for 2 to 4 weeks. The sensation should lessen the longer you use capsaicin. Reducing the number of daily doses of capsaicin will not reduce the sensation, but it may reduce the pain relief achieved.
Even with regular use of capsaicin, arthritis pain relief will take some time. Pain relief from arthritis typically is evident 1 to 2 weeks after starting capsaicin. To prevent pain from returning, capsaicin must be continued. However, if pain is not better after using capsaicin for 3 or 4 weeks, talk to your doctor. It may not be worth it to continue.
Be aware of what can happen if you get capsaicin in your eyes or on other sensitive body parts because of the burning sensation it causes. If capsaicin gets in your eyes, immediately flush your eyes with water. To rid other sensitive areas of capsaicin and the burning feeling, wash the areas with warm soapy water. Keep capsaicin out of reach of children.
There are warnings about using capsaicin under certain circumstances. Before using capsaicin, tell your doctor about:
broken skin
skin irritation
previous allergic reactions to capsaicin, hot peppers, other drugs, dyes, foods, preservatives
breastfeeding
pregnancy or current attempts to become pregnant
Also, be aware that capsaicin should not be used by children under 2 years of age.
A study from 1991 involved 70 osteoarthritis patients and 31 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients were instructed to apply 0.025% capsaicin or placebo to painful knees, four times a day. Results revealed that 80% of patients treated with capsaicin experienced pain reduction following two weeks of treatment.
Capsaicin 0.075% was evaluated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in a 4-week study, published in 1992. All of the study participants had significant hand pain and applied capsaicin to their hands 4 times daily. It was found that capsaicin reduced tenderness and pain in osteoarthritis of the hand patients, but not rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to placebo.
Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in peppers such as cayenne, habanero, jalapeno and tabasco. This compound gives these peppers their characteristic heat, and helps flavor Jamaican, Indian and Asian dishes, etc. It is primarily found in pepper seeds, although some capsaicin is also found in the flesh of these peppers. Capsaicin may also offer several healing benefits.
Capsaicin not only reduces pain, but its peppery heat also stimulates secretions that help clear mucus from your stuffed up nose or congested lungs. Capsaicin is similar to a compound found in many cold remedies for breaking up congestion, except that capsaicin works much faster. A tea made with hot cayenne pepper very quickly stimulates the mucus membranes lining the nasal passages to drain, helping to relieve congestion and stuffiness. Next cold and flu season, give it a try.
Capsaicin is a natural anti-inflammatory, due to its ability to block COX-2, a type of prostaglandin that causes inflammation. That’s one of the reasons it has so many other medicinal benefits.
In one gold standard, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, researchers divided more than 100 patients with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis into two groups. The first group rubbed a cream with 0.025 percent capsaicin into painful knees four times a day. The second group used a plain cream.
Within two weeks, 80 percent of the capsaicin group had a reduction in pain. And by the end of the four-week study period, the capsaicin group had a statistically significant reduction in pain as compared to the placebo group. In fact, the rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 57 percent reduction in pain, while the osteoarthritis patients had a 33 percent reduction.
Given the positive results of this impressive study (in terms of design as well as patient size), researchers set out to see if capsaicin would help other types of pain. This time, diabetic neuropathy, a painful condition that occurs when nerves are damaged as a result of high blood sugar levels.
In a multi-center, double blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers divided 252 patients with diabetic neuropathy into two groups. The first group used a capsaicin cream on any painful areas four times a day. The second group used a plain cream with the same frequency.
After eight weeks, those people who used the capsaicin cream enjoyed a 69 percent reduction in pain, 58 percent improvement in pain relief, and 38 percent decrease in pain intensity. Statistically, these were significantly better results than those found in the placebo group.
Clearly capsaicin is an effective, natural topical solution for pain relief. But, what about consuming it? Enter the great ulcer debate.
Many articles warn about the risk of ulcers when eating hot peppers and other foods containing capsaicin. Then you have the studies saying that these same foods can prevent ulcers. Which is it?
On the topic of causing ulcers, that issue was put to test in 1988. Researchers in Houston, Texas used endoscopy to determine if, in fact, spicy food caused ulcers.
In this randomized, crossover study, 12 people were given a basic endoscopy. This is a procedure that uses an instrument with a small camera attached to a long, thin tube to allow a doctor to move throughout your body and look at specific organs; in this case, the stomach and duodenum (beginning of your small intestine).
The subjects then ate four different meals at four different times. The four meals were unpeppered steak and fries (the control), pepperoni pizza, a spicy Mexican dish (containing 30 grams of jalapeno peppers), and a bland meal with 1,950 mg of aspirin. Twelve hours after each meal, each subject was given another endoscope to determine damage to the stomach and duodenum.
Researchers found that 11 of the 12 subjects had “severe” injury with multiple minor ulcers after the bland meal containing the aspirin. The pizza meal and Mexican meal caused one incidence of one minor ulcer each, and there were no issues with the steak and fries.
Researchers in Singapore tested to see if capsaicin could actually protect against aspirin-induced ulcers.
Researchers had 18 people take 20 grams of chili orally with 200 ml of water, then 30 minutes later, take 600 mg of aspirin with 200 ml of water. Four weeks later, the participants drank another 200 ml of water (no chili), followed by 600 mg of aspirin and water 30 minutes later. After each test, the subjects were given an endoscope.
Researchers found that damage to the stomach and duodenum was statistically greater when the participants took just the aspirin (a four on their gastric injury scale), versus when they took the chili (1.5 on the scale).
Or, in plain terms, the capsaicin actually protected the participants against damage caused by the aspirin.
This is a very intriguing study. However, we’d love to see it done in a larger study group and under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions.
A simple and delicious way to get the health benefits of capsaicin is to eat hot peppers.
Whether you choose cayenne peppers, jalapenos, or even habaneros, you can slice and add them to soups, stews, or sauces, or make your own salsa. And, as always, you should look for organic options.
You can also turn down the burner a bit by using cayenne in its powder form. Sprinkle it on potatoes or rice or add it to chicken or fish. Some people even add half a teaspoon to their morning smoothie.
If you simply cannot tolerate or don’t like spices at all, you can take the supplement route. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules of cayenne (450 mg) per day.
Be sure to take care when choosing—and using—a cayenne or capsaicin product. It should be free of preservatives, fillers, binders, excipients, flow agents, shellacs, coloring agents, gluten, yeast, lactose, and other allergens. Ideally you’ll also be able to find independent analysis conducted by a third party to verify the active ingredients and identify any contaminants.
If you are interested in using a capsaicin cream, look for a product that contains 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin. A burning sensation may occur at first as your skin adjusts to the heat, but it should subside after a few uses. If it persists, stop using it and consult with your physician.
No matter which route you take, it’s clear that using heat to ease pain can be very cool indeed.
Capsaicin may help lower levels of "bad" cholesterol, particularly triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, in your bloodstream, according to Phyllis Balch, C.N.C., author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." However, scientific evidence linking capsaicin to cholesterol management is mixed. "Bad" cholesterol contributes to lipid deposits along the walls of your arteries and blood vessels. This restricts blood flow through your circulatory system, which forces your heart to work harder. Lipid deposits can contribute to coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attack.
Shingles is a chronic condition caused by the Herpes zoster virus that also causes chicken pox. This condition is characterized by blistering skin rashes that produce intense pain and burning sensations. Shingles outbreaks typically last for two to four weeks, and can recur throughout adulthood. Capsaicin may ease pain and burning associated with shingles, according to Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." However, capsaicin does not destroy Herpes zoster, and cannot prevent shingles outbreaks.
Capsaicin may provide relief from pain associated with sprains and overworked muscles. It may also provide arthritis pain relief, according to Balch. Capsaicin may block pain signals transmitted from nerve endings to your brain. This chemical may be particularly effective for relieving ankle and foot pain and burning sensations caused by diabetes.
Chili peppers cool you down on hot days. One of the reasons why people from hot countries embrace the fire is because it influences natural temperature regulating mechanisms in the body and makes a sweltering day a bit more bearable. Capsaicin makes us feel hotter than we are, which fools the body into building a sweat and boosting blood circulation to the skin. The net effect of all this is a lowering in body temperature.
Capsaicin also helps to moderate caloric intake. Spicy food is more satiating than bland food, meaning you need to eat less of it to feel full. The heat of the chili actually stimulates brain chemicals that signal fullness!
Additionally, spicy food boosts the metabolism.
Brief burning sensation, particularly if too much cream is used, or if it is used less than 3–4 times a day, brief irritation to eyes, nose and throat causing runny nose, cough, sneezing, breathlessness or worsening of asthma, local skin reactions, including contact dermatitis.
If any of these persist or you consider them severe then inform your doctor or pharmacist.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Capsaicin should be used with caution:
under tight bandages
if taking a hot shower or bath just before or after applying capsaicin, as it may enhance the burning sensation
to avoid inhalation of vapours from the cream, as this can cause irritation of the eyes and breathing difficulties (including making asthma worse)
to avoid contact with eyes, and inflamed or broken skin.
It should not be used:
on broken or irritated skin
if the user has a known hypersensitivity to capsaicin or any of the ingredients used in this product
by children.
Before taking capsaicin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other topical pain-killer; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
broken or irritated skin,
known hypersensitivity to capsaicin or any of the ingredients used in this product.
It is not suitable for children.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially any of the following:
inflamed or broken skin
asthma.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
Does alcohol intake affect this drug?
Alcohol intake is not known to affect capsaicin.
The elderly: capsaicin can be used in the elderly.
Pregnancy:
The safety of capsaicin has not been established during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts or questions about this.
It is sensible to limit use of medication during pregnancy whenever possible. However, your doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks in individual circumstances and after a careful assessment of your specific health situation.
If you have any doubts or concerns you are advised to discuss the medicine with your doctor or pharmacist.
Breast feeding:
It is not known whether capsaicin passes into breast milk. The manufacturer therefore states that it should not be taken if you are breastfeeding.
It is sensible to limit use of medication during breastfeeding whenever possible. However, your doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks in individual circumstances and after a careful assessment of your specific health situation.
If you have any doubts or concerns you are advised to discuss the medicine with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not swallow capsaicin cream.
If you think you, or someone you care for, might have accidentally swallowed capsaicin, contact your local hospital, GP or if in the UK call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
Use caution on skin where a large area is involved or where there are open wounds.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
Skin irritation.
Burning or stinging sensation. Usually goes away after a few days when using medicine as directed.
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Severe skin irritation.
Severe pain.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
What is it used for?
Capsaicin is used to numb the skin.
It is a topical pain reliever.
It is used to relief pain at the site where it is applied.
In general this drug is used as a local pain reliever in several conditions.
Listed below are the typical uses of capsaicin.
For pain relief in osteoarthritis.
To relieve pain arising from nerves near the surface of the skin eg. with and following Herpes Zoster infections (shingles) after open skin wounds have healed.
To relieve pain in patients who have had nerve damage to their feet or hands caused by diabetes (diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy).
How often do I take it?
Apply to the affected area, 3 to 4 times a day, as directed by your doctor, with a gap of at least 4 hours between applications. Apply a small amount of cream (pea size) to the affected area and rub in gently until it is no longer visible. Wash hands immediately after use, unless your hands are being treated.
Use this medication for the duration of the prescription in order to get the most benefit from it.
Remember to use it at the same time each day - unless specifically told otherwise by your doctor.
It may take up to a month before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.
Certain medical conditions may require different dosage instructions as directed by your doctor.
Dosage is based on your age, gender, medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines.
Store below 25°C.
Capsaicin does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Always complete the full course as prescribed by your doctor.
… July 30, 2008, From Indiana
It works fairly well. It burns at first, but is not too unpleasant. I need it for blocked ears, it does not work too well for that, but for sinus it works fine.
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm so glad ..., December 14, 2008, By Once in a while
…
If you're new to capsaicin-based pain relieving creams, beware -- they're not for everybody. The active ingredient is the same as in pepper spray, just in a much lower concentration.
Even in low concentrations, they can really burn the first few times you use them. Some people have skin that is simply too delicate, thin, or sensitive to use these kinds of products.
But if you can use them, they really work.
I started using them because I wanted an alternative to taking a pill every time I had an ache somewhere. ...
I can give you a few startup tips.
Don't start with "HP" (high potency) creams. Start with something like ... Cream, .035-Percent Capsaicin, … a milder version. You have to build up a tolerance to the stuff.
Apply a very light film to start with. If you've never tried it before and you haven't developed a tolerance, it's going to really heat up. Wash it off with soap and water immediately if it burns you too much. (After washing, moistened bread laid over the area might provide some additional relief.)
Stay with the milder cream until you begin to get used to it. The longer you use it, the less it will burn. Eventually it will hardly burn at all and you'll be looking to trade up to higher potencies. Even without the burning, it still gives pain relief. I don't know how or why it does, but it does.
...
The roll-on version -- ... -- is handy, and I would love to see it available in a higher potency. As it is I find I reapply it two or three times to get the results I want.
A couple of other warnings: Keep this stuff away from your eyes and mouth and any other sensitive areas of your body, and away from pets and children. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying (I usually wash mine at least twice), and make sure you don't "contaminate" stuff that other people might touch and get an unwanted burning feeling from.
If you have children around and they like to hug you, make sure your clothing completely covers any areas you've applied the cream so the children don't accidentally get burned.
And there's one other unique thing about capsaicin creams -- you may think they've worn off, and then you go work in the yard or something and get warmed up and start perspiring a little, and the areas you applied the cream will start heating up again. That can happen in a hot shower too, so be advised you can get an "afterglow." ...
5.0 out of 5 stars It keeps me sane, February 18, 2009, By Dr. Debra Jan Bibel ... (Oakland, CA USA)
Besides for pain, capsaicin is effective on chronic itch. It is the ONLY established scientifically treatment for notalgia paresthetica (mid back itch). When used routinely and daily (I apply a little dab 3 to 4 times daily), the itch (pruritis) disappears. ... A tube lasts about 3 months for this purpose. Pruritis and pain have different neurological pathways, ...
4.0 out of 5 stars Helps, March 18, 2009, By Mary Kopeny
It's not a cure-all, but it does help ease the pain and it does not have the strong odor that makes other salves unusable outside of home.
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid of the burn. This actually works., September 21, 2011, By prdfy (North Dakota)
I have had arthritis in all my joints since childhood. I am now in my 40's and I started having problems with the vertebrae in my neck a few years ago. Turns out that the vertebrae in my neck are collapsing and will eventually fuse together. As a result, I get very bad headaches and my neck motion is very limited when I have a flare up. I will not take any narcotics or steroids due to the side effects and the same goes for steroid shots into the vertebrae. Why am I telling you all this? Because ... is the one product that actually gives me long lasting relief and works like it says it does.
After reading all the reviews ..., I was scared to death to try it because some people had reported burns and other bad experiences with it. Yes, it burns on the first application, but some people must have very delicate skin because I've had absolutely no problems with it. It's definitely hotter than any other topical analgesic I've tried, but it's by no means painful. Start with a small pea sized dab every day and see how it goes for a few weeks.
My first application -- I started with a small dab about the size of a pea and rubbed onto the back of my neck. Within a few minutes I started feeling the tingling burn and it continued to get hotter for the next few minutes. But it felt so good. Within a half hour, my neck muscles had loosened up and I could tell I was going to have a very good day. Two hours later, still hot, but no where near the initial few minutes. Four hours later, on the verge between warm and hot. Eight 8 hours later, my neck muscles are still loose, but I don't really feel any heat. When I got home from work, I used a DRY towel and wiped the back of my neck. Immediately, I started feeling some residual heat building up. Not enough to burn, but just enough to let me know it's still on my skin. My impression for the first day of application. Awsome! 5 stars. With one application in the morning, I can get through all day at work and my neck feels much better. And as a plus, I can even get a little more relief by rubbing the area later with a dry towel.
Two weeks later. I am now using two pea sized dabs per day. One for just the back of my neck and the other for the trapezius muscles on either side. Both are applied in the morning and it still lasts all day.
One month later. Still using just two pea sized dabs per day and I'm still on my first tube. One application still lasts me all day.
I researched capsaicin creams thoroughly before buying this and three things I'd like to stress are below.
1. Capsaicin seems to have a cumulative effect. Meaning that within a week or two, the effects become more noticeable and longer lasting with the same amount applied. I've found that to be true.
2. Do not apply this with bare hands. Unless you scrub with a brush and wash several times, you are going to get some on everything you touch. And if you get this anywhere near your nose or eyes, you will have a very bad experience.
3. Do not waste your money on creams that only have 0.05% of capsaicin. I tried them and they didn't do anything for me. No burn or relief. ...
I can't use rubber gloves due to my arthritic fingers and I can't reach the back of my neck anyway, so I made myself an applicator from some items at the HobbyLobby to apply the cream. I would strongly suggest that you use something to apply the cream. It will save you a lot of time and you won't waste any cream by having to wash it off your hands.
I gave this a 5-star rating because of all the creams and treatments I've tried for my neck pain, this is the only thing that actually worked long-term. ... .1-Percent Capsaicin, ... is a cure for my arthritic neck, but it is allowing me to still be productive and go to work every day without any narcotic meds, injections or surgery.
...
Can't be applied with bare hands without risk of getting it on everything you touch.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for migraines!, May 31, 2011, By irish twins mother (NY msa)
I've suffered from migraines for years and my expensive Rx(had 3 different ones) don't always work/stay down. At a certain point in my migraine I can't ingest anything by mouth or even migraine sprays. While I was pregnant/breastfeeding, I was not allowed my Rx. I find rubbing the Capzasin cream on really helps detensify my migraine, or gets my migraine to a point where I'm able to take my Rx or sleep it off.
Beware tho! Make sure you really don't touch anything to the cream. Even after I've washed by hands thoroughly twice w/soap I have to make sure I don't touch my eyes, nose or lips. Also, the shower can bring back the strong sensation. It's not as bad as rubbing a cut habanero on your skin, but comes close.
My husband likes it for his arthritis - especially since there's no smell. We both have given ours to friends and family.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not 4 me, February 16, 2010, By B. Jarrard
Yikes-this "pain" is worse than the symptoms I meant to alleviate. Burning sensation wouldn't wash off. Have sensitive, fair skin...
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!, December 1, 2011, By Britni Rosenbauer
This stuff is amazing. My boyfriend's aunt gave me some to put on my neck to deal with a tension headache. My headache was gone within minutes! It is intense but worth it. Like all the other reviews say, it's not for everyone and you have to wash your hands well.
5.0 out of 5 stars It works better than morphine, November 27, 2011, By Sine Nomine (Mission Viejo CA USA)
My arthritis pain has become worse in the last couple years. So much that my doctor (a pill pusher) has tried, Vicodin, Norco, Morphine and some other pill stronger than the Morphine. None really relieve the pain, however within seconds of applying ... where the pain is, the pain isn't so strong. Granted, it doesn't make all the pain go away, but it sure works a lot better than the pills. Oh, and I don't think it's addictive or a narcotic.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for my stiff arthritic knees., January 17, 2011, By Brian Scott Elswick "brianscott2" (Worthington, KY)
This stuff is awesome but use it with care. I place a pea sized amount on each knee every morning and rub it in good. Then I wash my hands very thoroughly before touching anything else. It will burn sometimes but this goes away pretty much with daily use...hot shower, ... or exercise can set it off again though. Using this product daily prevents-reduces pain and stiffness in both knees by perhaps 70%. It makes a HUGE difference in my overall quality of life and is therefore priceless...