What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annum, capsicum, cayenne pepper, capsaicin, red pepper, African chili, Tabasco pepper, paprika, Mexican chili, pimento, garden pepper

What is capsicum?

Capsicum is a small annual shrub that grows in tropical America and around the world. It produces an oblong fruit (peppers). The fruit of the plant is used to make medicine.

What is it used for?

Besides being used in food as a pepper or spice, capsicum has been used in medicines. The active, medicinal ingredient used from the pepper is called capsaicin.

Capsaicin is used in skin creams to treat:

• pain from shingles, arthritis, fibromyalgia
• nerve pain in people with diabetes or AIDS.

It also may be used on the hands to prevent thumb-sucking or nail biting.

Capsaicin is also taken by mouth to treat:

• cramps
• diarrhea
• toothache
• blood clots
• fever
• nausea
• malaria
• high cholesterol
• heart disease

It is also used to stimulate digestion.

Capsaicin is used as a nasal spray to treat:

• hay fever
• sinusitis
• cluster headaches
• migraine headaches.

Capsaicin is the ingredient used in pepper spray for self-defense.

How is it taken?

Capsicum comes in the form of peppers, capsules, seasoning, and as a tincture for use by mouth. It is also available in creams, ointments, and lotions for use on the skin, and as a nasal spray.

Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not use creams or ointments containing capsaicin if you have:

• an allergy to pepper
• broken or irritated skin.

Do not take capsicum by mouth if you have:

• an allergy to pepper
• stomach problems such as ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.

Keep ointments or creams containing capsaicin away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If some gets into your eyes, nose, or mouth, flush them with a weak vinegar solution or lots of cool water.

Do not use tight bandages over skin that has been treated with capsicum because it will make the burning sensation worse. Do not use with a heating pad or apply right before or after a hot shower.

Eating too much capsicum could cause stomach pain and kidney and liver damage. Do not take capsicum by mouth in large doses or for a long time.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist that you are taking this remedy. It may cause you to bleed more.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy by mouth if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider’s approval.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• Do not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider’s approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider’s approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

When you eat the hot peppers you may have an intense burning feeling in your mouth and stomach. It may cause you to sweat and feel flushed. This burning feeling can be reduced by removing the seeds from the pepper pod before you eat the pepper or by eating bananas with the peppers.

Side effects from putting capsicum products on your skin may include a burning sensation, minor redness, or swelling on the area where you put the cream or powder, especially if the area is bandaged tightly.

Side effects from taking capsicum by mouth may include stomach upset, sweating, flushing, or runny nose.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), and clopidogrel (Plavix)
• herbs such as angelica, anise, arnica, asafoetida, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, onion, papain, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• medicines to treat lung disease such as theophylline
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), ketoprofen, nabumetone (Relafen), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), piroxicam (Feldene), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), and oxaprozin (Daypro)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking
dental plan
dental plans coupon

	MyDentalWebsite.com
	Enter your ZIP code to view plan details, savings information and participating dentists for all available discount dental plans in your area.
	The most dentists in combined networks ANYWHERE! Join a plan online instantly No claim forms or deductibles
				With the rising costs of dental care, finding ways to save money becomes more and more important. A great way to save money on these procedures is with the use of a discount dental plan. It's fast and easy, and you can save on all of your dental care needs! You have the freedom to choose from many quality discount dental plans. There is sure to be a plan to fit your needs and the needs of your family. There are no sign up fees, no claim forms and no deductibles. Join online instantly and start saving today!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 12:55 pm and is filed under Dental Plans Coupon Update, Discount Dental Plans Coupon Article, Patient Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.