Cayenne Pepper And Arthritis

Approximately 46 million people in the U.S. suffer from arthritis. In fact, it ranks as the No. 1 cause of disability among Americans over age 15, according to the Arthritis Foundation. While the need for further scientific evidence exists, practitioners of alternative medicine say a compound in cayenne pepper might help alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis.

Arthritis

The term "arthritis" indicates any disease with pain or stiffness of the musculoskeletal system that involves an inflammatory condition of your joints and the surrounding tissue. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis constitute the major types of the disease. Osteoarthritis commonly occurs with age and affects hips, knees and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammatory changes throughout your body's connective tissues and bones, but typically appears in your hands and feet.

Cayenne Description

Cayenne, an evergreen shrub, grows to 3-feet tall and bears egg-shaped leaves, yellow flowers and scarlet-red fruits with white seeds. Found in Central America, cayenne pepper has a rich history of medicinal uses, yielding benefits as a digestive aid, toothache remedy, and as a treatment for chills and heat stress. Capsaicin, cayenne's active ingredient, is the source of the herb's effective painkilling abilities and healing powers.

Cayenne Benefits

Cayenne's key ingredient, capsaicin, works to counteract joint pain associated with arthritis. When applied topically, its hot, burning action causes temporary skin pain that depletes the chemical transmitters of joint pain. According to Phyllis Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," when used as a cream, capsaicin permeates your skin, enters your nerve fibers and eliminates substance P, a pain-inducing chemical. This prevents pain messages from traveling from your joints to your brain.

Side Effects

External use of capsaicin cream can initially cause a burning sensation that subsides with subsequent use. When used for extended periods of time, it can cause skin irritation. Avoid contact with broken skin and your eyes and mouth. Keep capsaicin cream and cayenne away from contact lenses, as it proves difficult to remove and can cause eye irritation even after several cleanings of your lenses.