Cayenne pepper creates fiery warmth in the body not only in spicy dishes from the inside. In the fruits of the cayenne pepper, the chili peppers, the active ingredient capsaicin is contained. It also has a warming, pain-relieving and healing effect on joint pain from the outside. An ointment with cayenne pepper stimulates blood circulation deep in the joint, the supply of nutrients to the joint cartilage is promoted, and the formation of synovial fluid is stimulated. The pain subsides, and with it, normal mobility returns. After prolonged use, the nerve fiber endings also respond to the capsaicin – the long-term analgesic effect occurs.
The cayenne pepper – a natural remedy.
In medicine, the fruits of cayenne pepper have been used for a long time. Especially in the treatment of joint pain, arthritis or rheumatism one relies on the effect of capsaicin in external application.
The hot spice is known as a natural remedy for its warming, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. As an ingredient in an ointment, the capsaicin from cayenne pepper irritates the heat and pain receptors of the skin. A pleasant feeling of warmth spreads, and blood circulation in the painful joint is stimulated. The natural warmth has an immediate pain-relieving effect. Due to the improved blood circulation, more nutrients are transported to the joint cartilage, which promotes the production of synovial fluid.
Since you can also return to normal movement because of the reduced pain, the synovial fluid is better distributed – the joint can function “as if lubricated” again.
Capsaicin empties the “pain stores”
Restoring as much normal movement as possible is of great importance in joint pain and rheumatic diseases. Without movement, the joint cannot be supplied with sufficient nutrients – the cartilage “starves”, and the functionality of the joints becomes increasingly limited. The natural ingredient of cayenne pepper additionally counteracts these inflammatory and painful processes.
Dr. Jan-Peter Jansen, pain therapist from Berlin, explains the mechanism of action: “Capsaicin inhibits the release of a certain pain messenger substance, the so-called substance P. The existing stores of this substance P are emptied and the pain signals are no longer transmitted. Even after cessation of local therapy with a cayenne pepper balm, the patient has no more pain.” First reactions to the emptying of the “pain stores” are usually felt after a few days After several weeks of treatment, the long-term effect becomes apparent.
Rheumatism – the number one widespread disease
Rheumatism occurs in a variety of forms. Probably the most common form is osteoarthritis. It develops when the joint is not sufficiently “lubricated” by synovial fluid. Since the movement of the joint is very crucial for the formation of new synovial fluid, pain in the joint and the resulting gentle posture contribute significantly to the wear and tear of the articular cartilage. A vicious circle of: pain – sparing of the joint – lack of blood circulation – lack of synovial fluid – increasing wear of the articular cartilage leads over time to increasingly painful joint changes.
Heat is often found to be particularly beneficial in osteoarthritis and many other rheumatic diseases. The natural heat of cayenne pepper, with its healing effects deep into the joint functions, has proven effective for rheumatism, the “people’s disease number one”. The external application of capsaicin in an ointment also has the advantage of having a direct and immediate soothing effect at the site of action, without burdening the organism as a whole.
