Clinician Fact Sheet: Medicinal Foods - Capsicum
Clinician Fact Sheet: Medicinal Foods
Capsicum (Capsicum frutescens; Capsicum annuum; Capsicum chinense; Capsicum baccatum; Capsicum pubscens; and other Capsicum species; Family: Solanaceae)
When used topically, capsicum constituents precipitate the release of substance P in the nerves. Although capsicum initially causes burning and pain, repeated applications deplete substance P, limiting the ability of the nerves to transmit sensations and reducing pain. Some studies have shown the crude juice of fresh capsicum to have antibacterial properties.
Historical Medical Use
• Orally, capsicum is used to stimulate digestion; as an antiflatulent; to treat colic, diarrhea, cramps, toothache, insufficient peripheral circulation, seasickness, alcoholism, malarial fever, yellow fever and other fevers; to reduce blood cholesterol and clotting tendencies; and to prevent arteriosclerosis and heart disease.
• Topically, capsicum is used for the pain of shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy, HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy, cluster headaches, and surgical trauma following amputation.
• Capsicum also is used as a counterirritant to desensitize nerves; to create a feeling of warmth; to relieve muscle spasms; as a gargle for laryngitis; and as a deterrent to thumb-sucking or nail biting.
Formulation and Dosage
• 30-120 mg taken orally tid. Some products are labeled with a British Thermal Unit rating; the higher the rating the more vasodilating the product and the greater the likelihood the patient will experience burning.
• Tincture (1:10, 90%) doses range from 0.3-2 ml, depending on strength, and should be taken in divided doses throughout the day.
• Capsaicin cream may be applied to affected areas three to four times daily. If applied with fingers, hands should be washed with a diluted vinegar solution following application. Capsicum should not be used near the eyes or on sensitive skin. It might take as long as three days to achieve full effect. Capsaicin (a compound purified from Capsicum annuum L.) is the active ingredient in Zostrix®, a nonprescription drug available in the United States and Canada. It comes in 0.025% and 0.075% capsaicin concentrations. The high-potency preparation is usually reserved for diabetic neuropathy.
Adverse Reactions
• When taken orally, capsicum can cause GI irritation, sweating and flushing of the head and neck, lacrimation, and rhinorrhea.
• Excessive amounts of capsicum can lead to gastroenteritis, and hepatic or renal damage.
• There are also reports of dermatitis in breast-fed infants whose mothers’ food included large amounts of red pepper.
• Capsicum may cause hypocoagulability.
• Applied topically, capsicum can cause burning, irritation, urticaria, and contact dermatitis.
• Inhalation of capsicum can cause allergic alveolitis.
• Capsicum can be extremely irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Taken orally, powdered capsicum has decreased the bioavailability of aspirin in animal models.
Interactions
• Theoretically, concomitant use of capsicum might increase the effects and the risk of adverse effects of cocaine.
• Theoretically, concomitant use with sedative herbs might increase therapeutic and adverse effects.
• Concomitant use of herbs with coumarin constituents or platelet-aggregating effects (e.g., angelica, danshen, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng) could theoretically increase the risk of bleeding in some people.
• Topical capsicum might contribute to the cough reflex in patients using ACE inhibitors.
• Theoretically, capsicum might interfere with acid-inhibiting drugs.
• Theoretically, capsicum might interfere with the activity of antihypertensive drugs by increasing catecholamine secretion.
• Theoretically, capsicum might increase the effects and adverse effects of antiplatelet drugs.
• Chili powder, taken 30 minutes before aspirin, might reduce gastric mucosal damage.
• Theoretically, concomitant use of capsicum might enhance sedative effects and the risk of adverse effects of barbiturates.
• Theoretically, concomitant use of capsicum might enhance the effects and the risk of adverse effects of sedative drugs.
• Theoretically, capsicum might increase hepatic metabolism of drugs by increasing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and adipose lipase activity.
• Theoretically, capsicum might interfere with the activity of MAOIs by increasing catecholamine secretion.
• Theoretically, oral administration of capsicum before or at the same time as theophylline might enhance theophylline absorption.
Contraindications
• Safe for pregnant and lactating women in amounts commonly found in food; safety at therapeutic doses has not been demonstrated.
• Capsicum should not be applied to injured or open skin.
• Capsicum should not be ingested by anyone with a known allergy to peppers.
• Capsicum is contraindicated in individuals with infectious or inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions.
Clinical Research
The effects of red pepper on appetite and energy intake were examined in two recent studies.1 In the first study, 13 Japanese females were fed a standardized dinner followed by an experimental breakfast. Energy and macronutrient intakes then were measured at lunch. The addition of red pepper to the breakfast significantly decreased protein and fat intakes at lunch. In the second study, 10 Caucasian men were fed a standardized breakfast followed by a mixed diet lunch and an appetizer or a red pepper appetizer. The addition of red pepper to the appetizer significantly reduced the energy and carbohydrate intake during the remainder of the lunch and in the snack served later in the day.
In a prospective crossover study, jalapeño peppers were assessed for their ability to treat Helicobacter pylori infections.2 Twelve subjects were given three test meals with fresh garlic, capsaicin, bismuth subsalicylate, or nothing. Urea breath tests were performed before the first meal, the evening meal, and the following morning. While the bismuth had a marked inhibitory effect on H. pylori, neither garlic nor capsaicin had any in vivo effect in a single-dose protocol.
References
1. Yoshioka M, et al. Effects of red pepper on appetite and energy intake. Br J Nutr 1999;82:115-123.
2. Graham DY, et al. Garlic or jalapeño peppers for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Am J Gastroenterol 1999;94:1200-1202.
Additional Resources
Alternative Medicine Alert. Atlanta, GA: American Health Consultants; 1998;1:1-144; 1999;2:1-144.
McGuffin M, et al. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1997.
McDermott JH. Herbal Chart for Health Care Professionals. American Pharmaceutical Association; 1999.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Center, Inc.
PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Co.; 1998.
Schulz V, et al. Rational Phytotherapy. 3rd ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1998.
The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons.
Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal. 4th ed. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.