Cayenne kills pain
Last week we talked about the dangers of opioids and how this is the last resort for pain management.
There are quite a few other options that have actually been shown to be just as efficient as opioids against pain and with no nasty side effects. One such is the hot chili pepper. The reason cayenne works for pain is due to its contents of capsaicin.
The endorphin rush capsaicin triggers makes this compound an effective remedy for pain.
In other research it has also be shown to be effective in shrinking fat cells and, due to its contents of ferulic acid, in killing breast cancer cells.
Another reason why I prefer cayenne especially when dealing with addiction recovery is, that it has the bonus of protecting the brain.
Cayenne contains sinapic acid which is an antioxidant known for its neuroprotective potential. Some research suggests it can reduce risk of parkinson's by 20% due to this.
Now if cayenne doesn't do it for you, there are a couple other things to look into depending on where the pain stems from - in some cases Devil's claw or even turmeric is more appropriate in order toto target the underlying reason. Getting tested to get properly diagnosed is always key.
How much to take?
As an adult, you may take between 30 and 120 mg of cayenne pepper in capsule form up to 3xdaily, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can also take cayenne pepper in tincture form. A tincture is a liquid extract derived from a plant and contains between 25 to 60 percent alcohol. Adults may take 0.3 to 1 ml of cayenne tincture up to 3xdaily, the University of Michigan Health System reports.
Any side-effects?
Treatment with a cayenne tincture may cause mild burning of your mouth or throat, watery eyes or nasal congestion. Please do not overdo the dosage without supervision: cayenne pepper may cause stomach irritation if used excessively or improperly. Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
References: University of Maryland Medical Center University of Michigan Health System Metabolic Brain Disease 2015 Feb;30(1):205-13 Annals of Neurology May 9, 2013 Journal of Proteome Research 2010 Jun 4;9(6):2977-87