Cayenne has a lot of interesting properties, as well as a long history of use as a food, as well as a medicine. Records indicate that Native Americans have been using these peppers for more than 9,000 years. In cayenne, the capsaicin is what creates the hot and spicy flavor that people love so much. It does more than just add flavor though. the cayenne capsaicin can provide some excellent health benefits, too.
What Are the Benefits?
Capsaicin has some remarkable benefits, including pain relief when you put it on the skin. When you think about the burn that you get from eating cayenne, it might seem strange that you could use it to relieve pain, but it works quite well. Substance P sends pain messages to the brain, and the cayenne’s capsaicin reduces the substance P in the body. This means the pain messages are no longer sent to the brain, and it relieves the pain a person perceives.
Topical creams that includes capsaicin can be used for a range of conditions. They are often used for muscle pains, as well as arthritis pains. They can be used for nerve pain, too. Pain after surgery, pain from diabetic neuropathy, psoriasis, and lower back pain can benefit from the use of capsaicin cream, as well.
Some studies have shown that it is possible to use capsaicin for weight loss as well. By taking supplements or eating capsaicin from peppers and hot sauce, it might be possible to curb the appetite. It has also been shown to increase metabolic rate. The increase tends to be only around 8%, though, so you will want to use cayenne in conjunction with other weight loss methods to get the best results.
Other research has shown that capsaicin can even be used to help with cancer treatment, namely prostate cancer. Of course, research still needs to be conducted in this field to learn more about the different benefits that this substance could offer.
Should You Use Cayenne Capsaicin?
If you like spicy food, you are probably getting capsaicin already, and there may not be a need to increase the amount you have in your diet. If you do not eat spicy food and are considering the cream or capsaicin supplements, you should get in touch with your doctor first to make sure it is a good idea for you.
You should never apply capsaicin cream to open wounds or skin that is cracked. When preparing peppers, you also need to be careful that you do not get them into your eyes. The topical cream should not be used for children who are under two years old, and it should not be used on older children more than two consecutive days.
Neutralization of Capsaicin
If you are eating capsaicin, and you find that it is hotter than you can handle, water will not help you to cut the heat. Instead, you should reach for some type of dairy. A glass of milk is the best choice for fast relief. The benefits of cayenne capsaicin are many. Just make sure you know how to use it and how to neutralize it.