How Chili Peppers Help against Arthritis Pain

Are you one of the millions who suffer from arthritis and try to find a natural solution to your pain? This condition is not a single disease, but includes over 100 diseases and problems which affect the joints, like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

The symptoms to all the different types of arthritis are generally the same. Usually they develop slowly, although there are some symptoms that can occur suddenly.

Arthritis is a painful and challenging condition. One of the ways to fight arthritis is following a proper diet that can relieve your symptoms, and prevent the pain-causing inflammation in certain cases.

One common ingredient can significantly help you combat the arthritis symptoms, and improve your condition – chili peppers.

Chili Peppers for Arthritis Pain

The capsaicin in chili peppers acts as a powerful arthritis pain reliever. This active compound of peppers is responsible for their spiciness. Besides adding them in your daily diet, you can as well apply them topically – if you don’t prefer too spicy foods. You can find various topical creams containing capsaicin as the active ingredient for relieving pains and aches.

How to Use Capsaicin to Reduce Discomfort

Here are some things to consider when thinking of using capsaicin for relieving your arthritis pain.

Choose an over-the-counter drug that contains 0.025% capsaicin. Apply it onto the affected joints 4 times a day, at least 3 weeks. You’ll feel stinging and burning sensation, and notice redness on the affected area, especially when you’ll apply the cream for the first time.

These are in fact side effects of capsaicin, indicating that it’s effective by desensitizing the nerves. If this cream doesn’t help you, look for one which has 0.075% capsaicin content.

If you can’t bear the heat on your skin, just add it in your meals, or sprinkle some ground or powdered chili peppers to your food. In this way, you will alleviate your arthritis pain and treat your cold.

Chili peppers, along with cayenne, Anaheim, and ancho, are very effective in the treatment of arthritis pain due to the capsaicin they contain. In addition, they are packed with nutrients like fiber, amino acids, fatty acids, sodium, and vitamins A, E, and K.

Capsaicin has long been used in the treatment of nerve pain and other pains, as well as for stimulating the blood circulation.