CAYENNE PEPPER

[GitOverIt]

I found this while searching out cayenne pepper....I knew cayenne was good stuff but....din't know how good it was for so many things!
Now remember these are alternative treatments only....use them if you wish and hopefully they will work!
on the next post I will show how cayenne cream can be used for psoriasis in reducing inflammation and itching!



ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS USING CAYENNE PEPPER!

Cayenne Pepper-Remedies

One of the most useful botanical remedies for pain relief is capsaicin the principal active ingredient of cayenne pepper. Capsaicin has been shown to be effective for easing pain caused by arthritis and nerve conditions when applied topically as a cream, ointment or ingested as a capsule.

Cayenne pepper and arthritis
When cayenne is taken into the body on a regular basis, the main constituent, the fiery capsaicin does several things:

1) It blocks the supply of NGF; (a unique protein called nerve growth factor (NGF) helps produce a hormone known as substance P (SP), which transmits all pain signals throughout the body to the brain quickly).

2) It causes a massive release of SP from the hypothalamus, which at first increases arthritic pain but later diminishes quite a bit.

3) By producing such a depletion of SP from the hypothalamus, pain signals no longer are able to get to the brain.
The first noticeable result is the feeling of no pain in those with arthritis. As a bonus, the pepper is said to boost the production of endorphins, the natural painkillers produced by the body after exercise.

The recommended dosage for effective pain relief from arthritis is approximately 2 capsules, three to four times a day with milk or apple juice. This must be done on a regular, consistent basis in order for benefits to be felt. Don’t worry about the early increases in pain; it will diminish soon enough, leaving your body relatively pain free before long.

Cayenne pepper and blood sugar levels
If you’re diabetic an average of 3 capsules of capsaicin will help bring down high blood sugar levels. If you’re just the opposite and hypoglycemic, you might want to avoid cayenne pepper, both in food and in most herbal formulas, too. Report in the West Indian Medical Journal (Vol. 31. pp. 194-197)

Lowers cholesterol
When you are consuming any kind of greasy food, be sure to drink an 8 oz glass of tomato juice that has 1.8 tsp, of cayenne pepper and some squeeze lemon juice in it, when eating any greasy meals.

Cayenne pepper and blood clots
The New England Journal of Medicine reported that residents of Thailand have virtually no blood clot problems because of their frequent consumption of cayenne pepper. If you use capsaicin on a regular basis it is an almost guarantee to keep your blood pretty thin and moving fairly good as a rule. About 2 capsules a day is good for general health maintenance.

Cayenne pepper can stop bleeding quickly
For any sudden gash, nick, or serious cut, just apply enough cayenne pepper to the injury until the bleeding stops.

Cayenne pepper for ulcers
How could something so hot help something so painful and sensitive as a stomach ulcers? Well, the consumption of capsaicin stimulates the stomach to release more mucous that coats the walls of the intestines, including sore, bleeding ulcers. Suggestion is to take 1 capsule 2 to 3 times daily with meals.

Colds and flu
Many of our grandmothers relied on a pinch of cayenne pepper and a finely chopped garlic clove in a bowl of hot chicken soup (use organic chickens) as the best way to fight the aches, pain and fever from a colds and flu. Chicken soup is often recommended by doctors to take the place of antibiotics.

Stuffy sinuses
Cayenne pepper will get the body’s fluids flowing, which in turns works to drain stuffy sinuses. Even tiny airways leading in and out of the lungs will open up a bit. Sprinkle cayenne powder or a drop or two of liquid extract into your favorite soup for a spicy therapy.

Cayenne pepper and vitamin C
Cayenne also seems to work well with vitamin C. An Old Amish herb remedy called super C has cayenne, ginger and vitamin A in with vitamin C, to make it more potent.

Cold feet
First put on a thin layer of socks. Grab a second thicker pair of socks and put in one teaspoon of cayenne pepper sprinkled into each sock. Your soles will appreciate the warmth.

Circulation problems
You can chase away the winter chills with a seasoned bath. Stir a teaspoon or two of cayenne pepper into your bath. The oils in cayenne will generate heat in the water, which could make the bath too hot to handle if mixed with very warm water.

Cayenne pepper for fibromyalgia
Capsaicin can also benefit people with fibromyalgia studies have found that topical application of capsaicin cream resulted in a noticeable reduction in pain as well as improved grip strength. Some people experienced a temporary but insignificant burning sensation following application of the cream. You can also use cayenne pepper topical cream for arthritis.

This information is for informational purpose only and is not intended to replace the care or advice of a physician.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43844.asp

[GitOverIt]

Some of this maybe a repeat from the above .....
make sure you read the precautions and interactions with some meds

at the original site there is a list supporting research

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/cayenne-000230.htm



Cayenne
Also listed as: Capsaicin; Chili pepper; Red pepper




Native Americans have used cayenne ( Capsicum annuum or frutescens , or red pepper) as both food and medicine for at least 9,000 years. The hot and spicy taste of cayenne pepper is primarily due to a substance known as capsaicin, which has pain-relieving qualities. Cayenne has been used orally and topically for medicinal purposes.

Cayenne pepper is an important spice, particularly in Cajun and Creole cooking, and in the cuisines of Southeast Asia, China, Southern Italy, and Mexico. Cayenne has also been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicines as an oral remedy for digestive problems, poor appetite, and circulatory problems. It has also been used as a topical remedy for arthritis and muscle pain. Today, topical preparations of capsaicin are used in the United States and Europe primarily to relieve pain associated with conditions such as arthritis and shingles (Herpes zoster). Capsaicin is also a key ingredient in many personal defense sprays.

Pain control

Capsaicin has very powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the surface of the skin. It is a counterirritant that temporarily reduces substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain. When substance P is depleted, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and the person feels relief. Capsaicin is often recommended for topical application for the following conditions:

Pain

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as joint or muscle pain from fibromyalgia or other causes
Nerve pain from shingles and other painful skin conditions (postherpetic neuralgia) that recurs even after the skin blisters have disappeared. Not all studies agree, and the research is limited. Results may depend on the individual. Check with your doctor to see if trying this topical treatment is right for you.
Postsurgical pain, following, for example, a mastectomy (breast removal for breast cancer) or pain after an amputation
Pain from peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage experienced in the feet or legs) due to diabetes. However, capsaicin appears ineffective for peripheral neuropathy pain from HIV.
Low back pain: Homeopathic gels of capsaicin are available for low back pain, but they are not generally considered a first-line remedy because other homeopathic remedies have fewer side effects.
Psoriasis

Capsaicin cream can reduce itching and inflammation associated with psoriasis (a chronic skin disease that generally appears as patches of raised red skin covered by a flaky white buildup).

Weight loss

Some animal and human studies show that taking capsaicin orally may increase the body's production of heat for a short time. It may also help to regulate blood sugar levels by affecting the breakdown of carbohydrates after a meal. Based on these studies, capsaicin is being investigated to see if it would be useful in treating obesity. These studies, however, are still ongoing.

Cluster headaches

Administering capsaicin via the nose seems to help relieve cluster headaches (a severe one-sided headache that tends to occur in clusters, happening repeatedly every day at the same time for possibly several weeks). Such treatment should only be done by a health care professional.

Other uses

As a homeopathic remedy, capsaicin may help treat ear infections (otitis media).
Some evidence suggests capsaicin may help treat heartburn, but several people in the study stopped taking capsaicin because of abdominal discomfort.
Capsaicin is being investigated for treating circulatory problems (for example, heart disease from atherosclerosis or plaque blocking the arteries to the heart) and reducing risk of an irregular heart rhythm.


Plant Description
Cayenne is a shrub that originated in Central and South America and now grows in subtropical and tropical climates. Its hollow fruit grows into long pods that turn red, orange, or yellow when they ripen. The fruit is eaten raw or cooked, or is dried and powdered into the spice that has been used for centuries in meals and medicines.



What's It Made Of?
Capsaicin is the most active ingredient in cayenne, but other important ingredients include vitamins A and C, and flavonoids and carotenoids (plant pigments with antioxidant properties).



Available Forms
As a spice, cayenne may be eaten raw or cooked. Dried cayenne pepper is available in powdered form, and may be added to food, stirred into juice, tea, or milk. It is also available in capsule form or in creams for external use (should contain at least 0.075% capsaicin).



How to Take It
Topical capsaicin should not be applied to cracked skin or open wounds.

Pediatric

Cayenne should not be given to children under 2 years of age. However, cayenne may be used topically with caution in older children as an ointment. Topical cayenne ointments should not be used for more than 2 consecutive days in children.

Adult

For shingles, psoriasis, arthritis, or muscle pain: Capsaicin cream (0.025 - 0.075% capsaicin) may be applied directly to the affected area up to four times a day. Because cayenne works by first stimulating and then decreasing the intensity of pain in the body, the pain may increase slightly at first, but then should diminish greatly over the next few days. Capsaicin should be applied regularly several times a day. It usually takes 3 - 7 days before noticeable pain relief begins.

For digestive problems: Capsaicin may be taken in capsules (30 - 120 mg, three times daily).



Precautions
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

Cayenne does not dissolve easily in water, so use vinegar to remove this substance from the skin. Capsaicin cream may cause an itching, burning sensation on the skin, but these symptoms tend to go away quickly. Test capsaicin cream on a small area of the skin before extended use. If it causes irritation, or if symptoms do not improve after 2 - 4 weeks, discontinue use. Do not use capsaicin with a heating pad, and do not apply capsaicin cream immediately before or after hot showers. Wash hands well after use, and avoid touching your eyes.

Capsaicin capsules may cause stomach irritation. People with ulcers or heartburn should talk to their health care provider before using capsaicin.

People who are allergic to latex, bananas, kiwi, chestnuts, and avocado may also have an allergy to cayenne.

Eating cayenne as a spice is considered safe during pregnancy, but pregnant women should avoid taking cayenne as a supplement. Cayenne does pass into breast milk, so nursing mothers should avoid cayenne both as a spice and a supplement.



Possible Interactions
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use cayenne preparations without first talking to your health care provider.

ACE inhibitors -- Using capsaicin cream on the skin may increase the risk of cough associated with ACE inhibitors. These are medications used to regulate blood pressure, including captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril. People who take ACE inhibitors should talk to their doctor before taking cayenne.

Stomach acid reducers -- Capsaicin can cause an increase in stomach acid, lessening the effect of drugs such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac), omeprazole (Prilosec), and esomeprazole (Nexium). The same is true of over-the-counter drugs such as Maalox, Rolaids, Tums, and nonprescription versions of Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, and Prilosec.

Aspirin -- Capsaicin may decrease the effectiveness of aspirin to relieve pain, and may increase the risk of bleeding associated with aspirin.

Blood-thinning medications and herbs -- Capsaicin may increase the risk of bleeding associated with certain blood-thinning medications (such as warfarin and heparin) and herbs (such as ginkgo, ginger, ginseng, and garlic).

Theophylline -- Regular use of cayenne may increase the absorption of theophylline, a medication used to treat asthma, to toxic levels.

[JKNY]

My favorite foods are the spicy ones ( Indian, Thai, Szechuan, Mexican). I guess i am not eating enough of them.

[deemah]

Thanks for posting that, Sally. It always amazes me how some of the herbs and spices we use often can be good for so many things we are not aware of. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to use it daily, several times a day or in large amounts before we can see any benefits. It's always interesting, though.

Ruth

[eranthis]

I've used capsaicin cream for all kinds of things, and it does really seem to work. I read up on it with regard to chronic pain (for a family member) & started doing a bit of research on the neurotransmitter known as "substance P" (I can't for the life of me remember anything specific about what I read, and have lost my bookmarks, so I'm kind of flying blind here). Basically, as Sally's posts say, capsaicin causes the amount of substance P to be reduced, which has all kinds of interesting physiological effects. Substance P is believed to promote cell growth, so it makes sense that inhibiting its production would affect psoriasis.

In my own experience (YMMV), I've used it a lot to deal with itchiness from poison ivy and bug bites, even though I don't think it is "supposed" to help, I have found that at the very least, the burning distracts you from the itch... at the same time, it seemed as though my psoriasis cleared up a bit more (or more quickly) on the places that I dabbed with the cream. Just recently I began a little test on myself - I've been on Enbrel for a few months, but have little spots reappearing on my elbows... on my left elbow, I'm using the triamcinolone ointment the derm prescribed, and on my right, I'm using capsaicin cream... (mind you, the left elbow is the one that sticks out the window the most when I drive, so it has a little head start). I've been doing this for about a week, and the right elbow is doing a bit better than the left. Nothing earth-shattering, but timely...

I get sinus headaches which about 1/3 of the time turn into migraines (depending on atmospheric pressure is my hypothesis), and there is a 15 - 20 minute period where I can feel them turning, and if I take my migraine pills, I'm OK (I can't take decongestants to offset the sinus problems at the outset). One time, I knew a migraine was coming and I didn't have my migraine medicine with me. Desperate to avoid the migraine, I swabbed a very thin film of capsaicin on the inside of my nostrils and, while my nose burned like crazy, the migraine never came and my sinus headache cleared up too (not sure I'd recommend that to anyone but the very brave or foolhardy ;) ). I don't know if it was the capsaicin that prevented the migraine, but I've tried the same thing and have gotten rid of sinus headaches (again, the distraction factor may come into play here).

I also have used it in the field when I have to take notes or make sketches in the winter... a VERY small amount rubbed into your hands with a bit of moisturizer can keep your hands strangely nimble in the foulest of weather. Again, it burns like hell, but you get used to it.

I just found this link, as my curiosity has been re-piqued: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550464_1 . You may have to register to view it.

[GitOverIt]

the funny thing is I started researching capsaicin (cayenne) because of another forum I'm on a discussion was going on about the benefits....so that is how I got on the topic....years ago my DH was taking cayenne as a preventive for heart problems (he didn't have any and wanted to keep from having them).
As I read how it was good for pain I thought hmmmmm I'll try the ones we have and see if it will help my shoulder pain that I have.......(I think it is bursitis)..... anyway after a couple days of taking these pills it started working.

When cayenne is taken into the body on a regular basis, the main constituent, the fiery capsaicin does several things:

1) It blocks the supply of NGF; (a unique protein called nerve growth factor (NGF) helps produce a hormone known as substance P (SP), which transmits all pain signals throughout the body to the brain quickly).

2) It causes a massive release of SP from the hypothalamus, which at first increases arthritic pain but later diminishes quite a bit.

3) By producing such a depletion of SP from the hypothalamus, pain signals no longer are able to get to the brain.
The first noticeable result is the feeling of no pain in those with arthritis. As a bonus, the pepper is said to boost the production of endorphins, the natural painkillers produced by the body after exercise.

the cayenne I'm taking is "HEARTS FOOD COMPANY" POWER CAPS
100,000 H.U. African Birdseye and East Indian cayenne blend 220 mg
ginger 110....
I was in misery with my shoulder...icy hot helped, magnesium also helped when rubbed on the sore area....the cayenne has been the best for keeping the pain away....I started with one in the morning and one at night...next day two AM two at night....and today the same....the pain is almost gone! just a slight pain when I reach in different directions....
But read all the other benefits! I made a lotion....was trying to make it a cream but it was to runny...will keep trying...