Those who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines now have a new drug free alternative to curb their pain. Cayenne pepper's active ingredient, capsaicin, is now thought to bring headache relief by depleting Substance P, a neurotransmitter that helps send pain signals.
Although some natural enthusiasts may have touted this remedy for years now, there are now a number of studies that have tested the claim, and most have found evidence to support it. One top study on capsaicin for pain relief was published in 1998 in the Clinical Journal of Pain. Their review of 33 different studies on the pepper found that capsaicin worked better than a placebo for cluster headaches.
Although studies suggest that the capsaicin needs to be applied topically, such as swabbing the inside of your nose, in order for it to be effective, the most commonly known treatments are to dissolve 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper(with a 40,000 heat unit)into warm or hot water and drink. Repeat this treatment every half hour or more until headache subsides.
Cayenne can also be taken on a daily basis in capsule form once or twice a day to keep headaches at bay.
Taken orally with hot water capsaicin has an immediately equalizing effect on blood pressure.
References, New York Times October 30, 2007
Clinical Journal of Pain June 1998; 12(2):97-106
