Capsaicin, the phytochemical responsible for the heat in peppers, has been used for many purposes. Originally, it made peppers both food and medicine. Today, it is extracted from the peppers for use in many different products. Pure capsaicin powder can only be obtained from commercial producers, and cannot be extracted in sufficient quantity at home for any appreciable uses.
What Is Pure Capsaicin Powder Used For?
There are quite a few different applications that call for pure capsaicin powder today. For instance, you’ll find it as the active ingredient in many types of pepper spray. However, not all personal protective sprays are made with capsaicin – some use other noxious chemicals to achieve the same result. In fact, “pepper spray” has become something of a misnomer. It originally applied only to sprays that used capsaicin from peppers. Today, though, it has become a generic name for almost any sort of personal protective spray.
Another use for pure capsaicin powder is in the creation of hot sauces. The smallest fraction of this powder can lend a significant amount of heat, and by varying the amount added to the sauce, along with other ingredients, manufacturers are able to create unique sauces that contain more heat than would be possible using only the peppers themselves.
Pure capsaicin powder is also found in some seasonings and spice mixes, especially those originating in South Korea and China, as well as other Southeast Asian nations. Note that these mixes are not pure capsaicin powder, but contain a mixture of the powder with other ingredients, often including salt, cornmeal, colorings (both natural and artificial) and many others. Unlike true pure capsaicin, which is usually white or yellowish, many of these mixes are red.
Medical Applications for Pure Capsaicin Powder
Perhaps the most important (and promising) use for pure capsaicin powder is in medical applications. Hot peppers have been used as medicine for a very long time, and Western medicine has finally isolated the reason. Capsaicin is actually an analgesic – that is, it can alleviate pain in the human body.
For this reason, you’ll find it used in a number of different creams and ointments designed to used to treat pain and discomfort in many forms, ranging from cluster headaches to pulled muscles to lower back pain, arthritis and even treating pain from scarring. It is also the active ingredient in many patches. Lower concentration patches range from .075% capsaicin to .25% capsaicin. These are available over the counter, and are used in much the same way as creams and ointments, mostly for the treatment of pain from muscle aches, arthritis and similar conditions.
However, an 8% patch has been developed and is being used to treat an even broader range of conditions, such as neurological pain. These patches are prescription only, and can only be applied for about an hour at a time. They must also be applied by a medical professional, not by the patient.
As you can see, there are many uses for pure capsaicin powder, and the list is only growing as new treatment methods are discovered.