MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CAPSICUM (CHILI EXTRACT)

• Relieves pain. Topical capsicum is used to treat a number of ailments from arthritis, psoriasis, sport injuries, and certain types of nerve damage such as post-herpetic neuropathy (the pain that lingers after attack of shingles) peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain that occurs most commonly as a side effect of diabetes, but may occur with HIV as well as other conditions), nerve pain after cancer surgery and arthritis. Because it is a counter-irritant, capsicum causes temporary pain in the skin that depletes the chemical messengers that cause joint and muscle pain. Capsicum permeates the skin, enters the nerve, and eliminates Substance P, which stops the message from reaching the brain. A little tingling on the skin can thus stop severe pain under it!

• Improves circulation. Capsicum helps protect blood vessels in several ways. It increases heart rate and flow of blood through the heart and it also dilates and relaxes blood vessel walls. Thus, capsicum can increase circulation, carrying more oxygen to all parts of the body.

• Prevents blood clotting. One of capsicum’s most remarkable properties is its ability to suppress pathogenic adhesion of clotting cells without interfering with normal blood coagulation. Because clot formation and clumping of clotting cells, or platelets can lead to stroke and heart attack, many physicians prescribe a daily aspirin to their patients with heart disease, to prevent platelet adhesion. However, aspirin may also inhibit appropriate blood coagulation and increase the risk of haemorrhaging in some patients. Unlike aspirin, capsicum decreases the danger of excessive bleeding.

• Inhibits inflammation. Cayenne stimulates vanillin receptors, signalling the brain to release neuro-peptides (calcitonin gene-related [CGRP] and substance P), which then travel through the bloodstream and moderate the body’s response to environmental stimuli. Inflammation ant the inflammatory process may be stimulated by substance P, so by stimulating the vanilloid receptors with capsicum, both the pain and inflammation can be inhibited.

• Protects against life-threatening shock. Capsicum reduces Substance P, which in turn catalyses shock syndrome, and animal studies show cayenne protects against life-threatening shock. In the future, it is conceivable that emergency rooms use cayenne to treat pain and trauma. Improves skin conditions. Capsicum has been shown to be equally as effective as drugs in relieving itching associated with cirrhosis, injury healing and allergies.

• Increases the effectiveness of other herbs. Many herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most useful and valuable herb in the herb kingdom. It acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other herbs when used with them.