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Herbs & Supplements
Chili Pepper
Scientific Name: Capsicum
Other Names: African Pepper, Bird Pepper, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Goat's Pod, Mexican Chillies, Paprika, Red Pepper, Tabasco Pepper, Zanzibar Pepper
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Uses
Although capsicum may cause heartburn for many individuals, its most common oral use is to treat digestive complaints such as colic, gas, indigestion, and poor appetite. Chemicals in capsicum have been shown to increase not only the amount of acid the stomach produces, but also the blood flow in the lining of the stomach and intestines. Both these effects may improve digestion, but they may also irritate the stomach.
In folk medicine, oral capsicum has been used for relieving colds, fever, and headaches. Because it causes the eyes and nose to run, it may indeed help to relieve congestion and associated headaches. Recently, several studies in animals and a few studies in humans show that taking capsicum by mouth may increase the body's production of heat and energy for about a half hour after it is taken or eaten. This effect may make capsicum useful for treating obesity. Capsicum may also affect the breakdown of carbohydrates in food, thereby keeping blood sugar levels from fluctuating widely after meals. This effect may be beneficial in helping to control diabetes. However, none of these possible uses for capsicum has been proved by clinical research.
Capsicum contains several active ingredients, including oily substances called oleoresins. One of the main oleoresins, capsaicin, is used topically as a counterirritant. Substances that cause relatively minor surface irritation, counterirritants increase the flow of blood at the areas where they are applied, producing warmth on the skin surface and using up local supplies of a neurotransmitter known as substance P. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. Substance P is responsible primarily for conducting pain signals. Because counterirritants such as capsicum reduce the amount of substance P, signals from more serious pain are interrupted. Topical capsaicin has been used to treat arthritis pain and it may also be useful for relieving pain from fibromyalgia and shingles. Some scientific evidence also supports its topical use for itching associated with conditions such as psoriasis, but this use is less common.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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Who is this for? 
