| Chillies have been used for medicinal purposes for | | | | have been exposed to. |
| over 6,000 years by the Indians of the areas in and | | | | Before I get onto using capsaicin to manage pain, we |
| around Central America. | | | | should just quickly discuss how it actually kills 'two birds |
| Following their discovery by Columbus in 1492 and the | | | | with one stone' in regard to arthritis. |
| subsequent distribution around the world, they were | | | | Studies by neurophysiologists in the USA have shown |
| soon used as a natural medicine by the cultures that | | | | that one of the neuropeptides, substance P, also |
| adopted them. Why, because 500 hundred years ago | | | | decreases the production of prostaglandin and |
| the only medicines were those that could be sourced | | | | collagenase, the effect of which is to reduce |
| from the local environment, or traded from another | | | | inflammation. |
| environment. There was very little distinction between | | | | There have also been smaller, less well documented |
| food and medicine. This is something we are now | | | | studies done that indicate substance P may also |
| starting to understand more and as a result we are | | | | contribute to cartilage breakdown. At this point we will |
| seeing a reversion to natural medicines and therapies. | | | | leave this as a side note and see if we can locate |
| Modern medicine and science is now starting to | | | | more information. |
| validate many of the anecdotal health properties | | | | How To Use Capsaicin |
| assigned to chillies and discover a number of potential | | | | Unfortunately, for those of us who love chilli, it's not |
| new uses as well. | | | | simply a case of having a nice curry every night to |
| These range from treatments for arthritis and | | | | treat pain. Though don't let that stop you. |
| circulatory disorders through to potential cures for | | | | Very little capsaicin gets into our systems by ingestion |
| heart disease and cancer. | | | | - it get processed by the liver and that's the last we |
| In the next few pages we'll review historical and | | | | see of it. |
| current knowledge on a number of issues and how | | | | Most of the non-human medical studies are conducted |
| chillies may be used as a cure or preventative. | | | | by injecting extremely high doses of capsaicin directly |
| While I am not a medical practitioner of any type, and | | | | in to the veins. Inherently risky and not something we |
| do not pretend to have that level of knowledge, I hold | | | | will explore further. |
| a Bachelor Of Science degree with Honours (Flinders | | | | Capsaicin does work well in topical creams, i.e. creams |
| University, 1991) and have worked for two years as a | | | | rubbed onto the area where the pain exists. The |
| St Johns Ambulance officer, trained to Emergency | | | | capsaicin does penetrate to the area of inflammation |
| Care & Transport certification. As a result I can at | | | | and pain and work as a pain management tool. |
| least sort out the facts from the hype and present | | | | There are a number of commercially available creams |
| you with solid information for you to discuss with your | | | | containing capsaicin in varying amounts, many of them |
| medical advisor. | | | | containing Glucosamine Sulfate as well. Bio-Organics |
| In this article I'll look at chillies and arthritis management. | | | | Glucosamine Rapid and Cenovis Osteo-Relief are a |
| The value of capsaicin (the heat compound in chillies) | | | | couple of examples from the larger players in |
| as a pain reliever is well known and acknowledged by | | | | Australia. |
| modern medicine as well. | | | | The creams come in a range of strengths, usually |
| First, A Bit Of Science | | | | from 0.25% to 0.75% capsaicin, and doctors suggest |
| Capsaicin produces much of it's beneficial effects on | | | | you begin with the lower concentrations and work you |
| the human body primarily by interacting with | | | | way up. This is primarily because many people also |
| neuropeptides; incomplete proteins in the body that | | | | get a burning sensation on the skin in the area in which |
| perform a number of different functions. | | | | the cream is applied. As a result, many people stop |
| There are three well studied neuropeptides that | | | | using it, however, if you persevere the sensation will |
| interact with capsaicin and these are calcitonin | | | | disappear after a few days. Once you are used to |
| gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), and | | | | the low level cream, increase the strength to get a |
| substance P. | | | | greater effect. |
| These neuropeptides are produced when capsaicin | | | | You may also wish to wear gloves when applying the |
| sensitive nerves are stimulated by the presence of | | | | cream to avoid the effects on your hands and |
| capsaicin. The neuropeptides transmit signals to the | | | | accidentally rubbing it in your eye later on. |
| brain resulting in a physical reaction - pain is one of | | | | The pain relieving effect is not instantaneous, but builds |
| these results. | | | | up over time. Many people get results in two or three |
| Now, with respect to arthritis sufferers, this is where | | | | days, but some have taken up to five weeks. I'm old |
| things start to get interesting. | | | | enough to remember watching American stuntman |
| These capsaicin sensitive nerves can only produce | | | | Evel Knievel trying to motorcycle jump the Grand |
| neuropeptides at a certain rate. When the nerve is | | | | Canyon; and pretty much anything else that was |
| depleted, it is no longer able to send pain messages to | | | | stationary. He now swears by capsaicin cream to |
| the brain. This is why capsaicin is effective in controlling | | | | ease his aches and pains (he presumably has at least |
| pain. | | | | a few), and actively promotes one particular brand in |
| Now, don't start thinking that you can go out, rip your | | | | the USA. |
| clothes off, and rub yourself all over with a habanero | | | | As with everything else we discuss under this Chillies |
| and all your troubles are over. Not that simple. | | | | & Your Health section, please consult with your |
| The depletion of neuropeptides from the nerve is only | | | | medical advisor before using any sort of new |
| temporary, ranging from a few minutes to a few days | | | | treatment. |
| depending on the amount of capsaicin the nerves | | | | |