How Capsaicin from Spicy Fruits Help Cure Your Aches and Pains

Capsaicin is a chemical found in many spicy foods such as peppers that has a myriad of uses, but many people do not realize that this chemical is a very effective pain reliever. Many cultures, both ancient and non advanced use this chemical to treat pain without knowing as they usually crushed the pepper or fruit containing the capsaicin in a bowl and mixed it with another chemical, generally a neutral one that would not apply any special properties to the mixture except to effectively dilute the potency of the mixture. The mixture is then applied to the site of the pain through rubbing and works wonders, especially as a natural source or pain relief.

Modern version are widely available even though essentially capsaicin is the active ingredient , these are available in creams for the relief of pain as well as the heating pads that are generally sold which help to alleviate back and shoulder pain. The capsaicin can relieve itching as well as back pain, joint pain, neuropathic pain, muscle pain, neuralgia and arthritis.

Capsaicin is one of the capsaicinoid compounds that fight pain by activating the sensory neurons which are known as transient receptor potential cation channel, this increases the permeability of the membrane to calcium and sodium. A special compound is released after the membrane permeability increases and the chemical terminals become filled with capsaicin and open, the capsaicin is then allowed into the pain fibers. Calcium enters the cells in excess and cause the nerves to shut down due to this excess of calcium. When the nerve cells shut down, there is a loss of sensation in this area which causes you not to feel pain in this area, this is the mechanism by which capsaicin works.

Endorphins are a chemical neurotransmitter that are released when the brain senses pain or pleasure, and generally serves to numb pain nonspecifically. The endorphins bind to the receptors in the brain and help to provide pain relief and a feeling of "gladness." The endorphins are also released during exercise due to the fact that the muscle pain from running causes the brain to stimulate the production and release of endorphins. Capsaicin invokes a response similar to pain in the body and is know to trigger the brain to stimulate the production of endorphins.

Capsaicin is an amazingly effective nonspecific pain reliever which can be used in both its natural and chemically manipulated forms to provide pain relief to sufferers of many types of pain.

References
1. 10 things you should know about capsaicin. http://osteoarthritis.about.com/od/painrelief/a/capsaicin.htm
2.The Big Book of Health Tips. The editors of FC&A Publishing .FC&A Publishing