Chili Peppers: The Forgotten Pain Reliever

When chili is used externally (in the form of alcohol or hot oil...) it is a local stimulant. Capsaicin causes vasodilation, increases local blood flow, dissolves bruises, and relieves pain.

Chili is an indispensable spice for Vietnamese people, especially those in the Central region. A daily dish without chili is bland and tasteless to them. The spicier the chili, the more "attractive". It is the spiciness that makes chili an unforgettable dish. However, it is also the spiciness of chili that has been and is being researched and applied by the whole world.

Capsaicin in chili peppers

Chili peppers belong to the nightshade family, and are called "banh tieu" (buffalo horn pepper), "nhat tieu" (buffalo horn pepper), "hai tieu" (sea pepper) in Oriental medicine. According to traditional medicine, chili peppers are spicy and hot, and have the effect of relieving pain, dispelling cold, strengthening the spleen, digesting food, and relieving pain.

The most outstanding feature of chili is capsaicin, which evaporates at high temperatures, causing strong sneezing. Capsaicin in chili is the active ingredient that causes redness and heat, only present when the chili is ripe, accounting for 0.01-0.1%.

The spicy feeling we get is due to capsaicin stimulating the brain to produce endorphins, an endogenous morphine, which has pain-relieving properties, especially beneficial for patients with chronic arthritis, neuralgia and cancer pain.

Capsaicin stimulates the release of substance P, a neurotransmitter that tells your brain that you are in pain. However, prolonged exposure to capsaicin reduces the sensation of pain. For this reason, capsaicin is sometimes used to relieve arthritis pain. Capsaicin also stimulates the release of endorphins, chemicals that make you feel good. This is why many people are addicted to eating chili peppers.



Ripe chili is very good for treating joint pain. Photo: illustration - Internet

Capsaicin found in chili peppers is also used to make painkillers. Capsaicin reduces the effects of substance "P", which is responsible for transmitting pain messages from the skin to the spine. By blocking the pathway of substance "P", capsaicin acts as a long-acting painkiller and has been effective in treating about 75% of patients.

When chili is used externally (in the form of alcohol or hot oil...) it is a local stimulant. Capsaicin causes vasodilation, increases local blood flow, dissolves bruises, and relieves pain.

In 1998, in England, there was a drug called Zacin. The drug was prepared in the form of a cream containing 0.025% capsaicin used to relieve pain in osteoarthritis. The cream was applied to the painful joint several times a day, reducing substance P in the nerves that carry information to the brain. It was also effective for rheumatoid arthritis.

Experience using chili in treating back and joint pain

- Treatment of back pain and joint pain: 15 ripe chili peppers, 3 papaya leaves, 80g Chinese angelica root. Crush all ingredients and soak in alcohol at a ratio of 1/2, use for massage to quickly recover.

- Treatment of back pain, joint pain: 15 ripe chili peppers, 20g papaya leaves, 20g mugwort leaves, crushed, then soaked in high concentration alcohol, regularly massaged on the painful area will relieve the disease.

- Treat back pain, joint pain, nerve pain: Crush chili, soak in white wine at a ratio of 1/2 (One part fresh chili, two parts wine) and use to massage the painful area.

- Treating migraines: Some scientists have studied the use of chili peppers by dropping a drop of capsaicin into the nostril on the side of the patient's headache, and the pain relief was clearly visible. When the medicine was dropped into the other side, nothing happened.

- Treatment of chronic arthritis: 1-2 chili peppers, 30g of bone pain vine, and 30g of Chinese clematis root. Boil and drink 1 dose per day.

- Back pain treatment: Chili patch is used to treat pain such as back pain, arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain. The patch helps improve blood circulation, relax muscles and reduce pain. After cleaning and drying the painful area, apply the patch for 24 hours. Before applying, test on a small area first to prevent overheating and skin irritation. The patch will spread the active ingredient under the heat of the skin. Do not use on sensitive skin or skin diseases.

Eat only in moderation

For a long time, we often think that eating a lot of chili will cause stomach ulcers. However, many studies show that chili is a good food for people with stomach ulcers. According to experts, chili contains capsaicin which has the effect of killing bacteria that cause stomach ulcers, preventing the production of acid, increasing blood flow to the stomach lining to help prevent ulcers or heal ulcers. However, people who often have heartburn should not eat chili because this can make the disease more serious.

Although chili has many uses, you should only eat chili in moderation. Eating too much will be harmful to your health. The spicy substances in chili will irritate the stomach lining, causing stomach pain, diarrhea and bleeding if you have hemorrhoids. People with chronic pharyngitis, stomach ulcers, and hemorrhoids should not eat chili, or eat it in moderation.

The spiciness of chili is delicious and attractive, but you have to eat it in the right way to ensure your health.

According to Dong Nai online - NT