You probably know that cayenne peppers lend spicy Mexican food dishes their mouth-watering hotness, but you might be surprised to learn that cayenne might also be valuable in reducing nerve pain. The cayenne plant belongs to the Capsicum family of peppers, and it produces long red fruits that contain capsaicin, the active "hot" component in cayenne. Nerve pain comes in many forms, and some of them can be quite severe. Before treating any type of nerve pain with cayenne, consult your doctor to make sure this spicy herb is right for you.
Nerve Pain
Nerve pain, or neuralgia, describes an intense, sharp pain that travels along the nerves to the brain. The condition might be a result of a virus, such as shingles, which is related to the chickenpox virus; diabetes; kidney disorders; or a reaction to certain medications. Nerve pain might also be a symptom of pressure on the nerves by adjacent blood vessels, bones or ligaments.
Benefits from Cayenne Pepper
Capsaicin is a surface irritant when applied topically to areas affected by nerve pain, but with repeated applications, capsaicin might block Substance P, a peptide that acts as a transmission device for carrying pain signals from the damaged nerve to the brain.
Method and Dosage
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests applying a cream or ointment that contains no more than 0.075 percent capsaicin up to four times per day for adults who are suffering from nerve pain disorders. Because the pain-numbing effects of capsaicin are cumulative, it might take a few days to experience beneficial results.
Considerations
No suggested application dosage exists for children, and it might be dangerous to use cayenne ointments on infants or children under 2 years old. Wash your hands immediately after applying the cream to avoid eye irritation. To remove all traces of capsaicin from your hands, rub them with a little vinegar.
References
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines (second edition)"; Joerg Gruenwald; 2000
- MedlinePlus: Neuralgia
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cayenne
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