Capsicum
By john | August 16, 2007
The active component of capsicum, capsaicin, is isolated from the membrane and seeds of Capsicum peppers. Topically applied capsaicin depletes the neuro transmitter substance P from peripheral sensory neurons and blocks its synthesis and transport. Substance P is involved in transmitting pain and itch sensations from the periphery to the central nervous system and may have vasodilating effects. Capsaicin’s effects may be similar to cutting or ligating a nerve.
Oral capsicum may inhibit gastric basal acid output and may inhibit platelet aggregation, but it doesn’t alter prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time. High dose capsicum therapy may decrease coagulation (because of higher antithrombin III levels), lower plasma fibrinogen levels, and increase fibrinolytic activity. Capsaicin is highly irritating to mucous membranes and eyes.
Capsaicin is available for both oral and topical use in products such as cayenne pepper capsules, extract, and various topical preparations.
Benefits And Uses of Capsicum
The FDA has approved topical capsaicin for temporary relief of pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles), and diabetic neuropathy. It’s being tested for treatment of psoriasis, intractable pruntus, vitiligo, phantom limb pain, mastectomy pain, Guillain-Barre syndrome, neurogenic bladder, vulvar vestibulitis, apocrine chromhidrosis, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. It’s also used in personal defense sprays.
Oral capsicum is used for various GI complaints, including dyspepsia, flatulence, ulcers, and stomach cramps. It’s used to treat hypertension and improve circulation. It’s also used in some weight loss and metabolic enhancement products.
Administration
- Oral: In some cultures, adults ingest up to 3 g by mouth every day of capsicum as a seasoning for various foods .
- Topical: For adults and children ages 2 years and older, capsicum is applied topically to affected area no more than three or four times a day.
- Hands should be washed immediately after capsicum application.
Side Effects of Capsicum
Adverse effects associated with the use of capsicum include eye irritation, corneal abrasion, oral burning, diarrhea, gingival irritation, bleeding gums, cough, bronchospasm, respiratory irritation, burning sensation, stinging sensation, erythema, and contact dermatitis.
Risk of cough increases when capsicum is applied topically in patients who are on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Capsicum may alter anticoagulant effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. It may reduce bioavailability of aspirin and salicylic acid compounds. By increasing stomach acid, capsicum may also interfere with antacids, sucralfate, Hz antagonists, or protonpump inhibitors.
Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disulfiram-like reaction. Absorption of theophylline may increase when the drug is administered with capsicum. Use of cayenne with anticoagulant or antiplatelet herbs (feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and ginseng) may increase cayenne’s anticoagulant effects, thus increasing bleeding tendencies.
Pregnant patients should avoid use because capsicum’s effects on the fetus aren’t known. Those who are breast-feeding and those with hypersensitivity to capsicum should also avoid use. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid use because of capsaicin’s irritant and peristaltic effects.
Clinical considerations
- Alcoholic extracts may be unsuitable for children, alcoholic patients, patients with liver disease, and those taking disulfiram or metronidazole.
- Topical capsaicin shouldn’t be used on broken or irritated skin or covered with a tight bandage.
- Adverse skin reactions to topical capsaicin are treated by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. Soaking the area in vegetable oil after washing provides a slower onset but longer duration of relief than cold water. Vinegar water irrigation is moderately successful. Rubbing alcohol may also help. An emulsion of lidocaine and prilocaine provides pain relief in about 1 hour to skin that has been severely irritated by capsaicin.
- If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding or is planning pregnancy, advise her not to use this herb.
- If patient is applying capsicum topically, inform him that it may take 1 to 2 weeks for him to experience maximum pain control.
- Instruct patient to wash his hands before and immediately after applying topical capsaicin and to avoid contact with eyes and nose. Advise contact lens wearer to wash his hands and to use gloves or an applicator if handling his lenses after applying capsicum. If capsicum comes in contact with mucous membranes, advise flushing area with milk or water.
- Inform patient not to delay treatment for an illness that doesn’t resolve after taking capsicum. If he’s applying it topically, advise him to contact his health care provider promptly if his condition worsens or if symptoms persist for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Tell patient to store capsicum in a tightly sealed container, away from light. Eating bananas may help with GI irritation from oral capsicum or cayenne pepper.
- Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
- Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
Much clinical research has focused on the topical use of capsicum containing products for temporary relief of pain. A recent study has shown that capsicum nasal drops may be beneficial in the treatment of cluster headaches. A few other studies have investigated topical capsicum for the treatment of psoriasis. All of these studies showed some positive results, but further investigation is warranted before recommending topical capsicum as an over the counter treatment.
Tagged under:Alternative Medicines
Topics: Alternative Medicines |
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