CAPSICUM for Pain
Capsicum is an herb, used both as a medicine and for flavoring of foods. The botanical name is Capsicum minimum. Capsicum is a tropical plant family and considered a nightshade. Red peppers or chili peppers are the fruit of these tropical plants, and are commonly known as Cayenne Pepper and Chili Pepper. Capsaicin is the active chemical from the fruit of the capsicum plant.
Capsaicin has been found useful to decrease pain from shingles, arthritis, neuropathy and fibromyalgia with repetition and topical daily application. There are multiple mechanisms of action for the pain relieving function of capsaicin. When applied to the skin, the capsaicin from the cayenne pepper is thought to block pain by decreasing Substance P, a chemical that transmits pain signals between nerves. The epidermal afferent nerves producing Substance P are thought to degenerate with repetitive application of capsaicin. Cayenne is from the Capsicum family, and is rich in salicylates, a natural pain relieving compound. Cayenne pepper is know to cause vasodilation. Capsaicin cream quickly dilates small capillaries and increases circulation to the skin in the area where the capsaicin has been applied. Capsaicin can quickly stimulate blood flow to an injured area while acting as a nerve block and reducing pain.
Capsicum is available in multiple strengths and formulations, including capsules, oil infusions, salves, tinctures and creams. Itching, pricking sensation, or burning sensation may occur when capsaicin is applied to the skin. Burning of the skin can occur if too much of a strong a preparation is applied, particularly in sensitive skin areas. Capsaicin should be applied to open or broken skin cautiously, as intense burning can result.
For application to the skin, capsicum preparations are available in both creams and plasters. Creams containing capsicum contain typically 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin concentration. These creams may need to be applied every 4-6 hours, and may take up to 14 days to achieve pain relief. Capsicum plasters are available in 11 mg capsicum/plaster, or 22 mcg capsicum/square cm. The plaster is usually applied once daily, and left in position for 4-8 hours. After applying capsaicin cream, diluted vinegar solution can be used to cleanse hands of residual capsaicin.
References:
1. Balach, P.A. Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies, Avery, 2002.
2. Frerick, H., Keitel, W., Kuhn, U., Schmidt, S., Bredehorst, A., Kuhlmann, M. (2003). Topical treatment of chronic low back pain with a capsicum plaster. Pain: 106(1-2):59-64.
3. Gagnier, J.J., van Tulder, M.W., Berman, B. Bombardier, C. (2007). Herbal medicine for low back pain: a Cochrane review. Spine: 32(1):82-92.
4. Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database. Therapeutic Research Faculty; 10 edition. 2007.
5. Watson, C.P., Evans, R.J., Watt, V.R. (1988). Post-herpetic neuralgia and topical capsaicin. Pain, 33(3):333-40.
