Medicinal CapsaicinCan capsaicin cream alleviate painful arthritis pain?With the recent recall of Vioxx, the most popular arthritis medication on the market, due to the increased risk of heart attack and stroke, more and people are turning to alternatives such as capsaicin cream to treat the problem. What is medicinal capsaicin? It is an herbal extract of chili pepper, the dry form of which is cayenne, and it has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. Recent research shows that people with arthritis have elevated levels of DSP, which breaks down cartilage and increases sensation of pain. Medicinal capsaicin can inhibit the activity of DSP, thus stopping cartilage destruction and easing pain in joints. Thus capsaicin extract, marketed as a cream under the name Zostrix, has become a popular treatment for arthritis pain relief, and many patients have had success with it. Is medicinal capsaicin the best treatment? There are many different treatments available, from prescription drugs to alternative techniques to supplements and creams. In terms of safety, capsaicin extract has relatively few side effects. Some patients reported a burning sensation which subsided after a few weeks. The only problem with capsaicin cream is that it must be applied four times a day for maximum effectiveness, which can become quite a hassle for people suffering from arthritis. Some of the supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin and other natural treatments have shown promise, and offer another viable, safe alternative to prescription drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex. If you do decide to try capsaicin cream, start with the lower strength version first, with .025% capsaicin extract, then try the stronger cream if that does not work. Be sure to consult your physician or other qualified medical professional before trying capsaicin cream or any other alternative arthritis treatment. more than medicinal capsaicin on our medicinal herbs page
|