WHAT???
Would you be surprised to find out hot peppers are a great way to relieve pain? I know I was!
Who’d a thought it.
When you think if pain relief, hot peppers are probably not the first thing that pops into your mind. But depending on the pain, it probably should be.
Discovering Hot Peppers
I discovered this listening to an herbal seminar. I kinda chuckled when I initial heard it. But then they kept talking about how great it was.
You know, I remember my mom telling me these golden years aren’t so golden. And I’m beginning to get that.
I can tell you that this aging thing is not for the weak or the faint at heart. It can be a painful process.
I’ve had back and shoulder pain off and on over the past year, so I thought….”Why not?”
I don’t do OTC pain relief if I can avoid it and if I have an alternative I’ll always try it if I can. So I made me some homemade pain relief. A pain relief oil.
I mixed it up just like she said in the seminar. I used the avacado oil I have in the cabinet for cooking and the powder in my spice rack. The powder I used is a mix of a bunch of different hot peppers I’ve been using for chili powder. This is the same powder I use to stop the bleeding when I cut myself in the kitchen.
This can be any kind of hot pepper. Most folks think of Cayenne, but this mix of hot peppers from the garden year before last needed to use it up anyway.
So I mixed it up.
Truth be told I put a bit more powder to the mix than called for. But like I said, that powder has been sitting for almost 2 years. It’s time to use it up.
Why Hot Peppers?
Capsaicin is the chemical in hot peppers that makes them hot. And it’s really great for pain.
It does this using a few different ways.
It can desensitize the nerves which can reduce the pain receptors going to the brain.
And it stimulates the release of endorphins (our feel good hormones) which are a natural painkiller.
It can reduce inflammation. Inflammation is our body’s natural response to an injury or other issue. But sometimes it can go a bit overboard and cause a lot of pain.
And it’s can act as an analgesic by disrupting nerve function, creating temporary pain relief.
Best part is, it worked perfectly!
A lot of things you read will talk about using cayenne peppers. But really, any hot pepper will do. It’s the heat in the pepper that does the job.
Some folks with sensitive skin may want to be cautious. It’s something you’ll want to try on a very small piece of skin before rubbing it on a big sore spot.
And you’ll want to be sure to wash your hands with soap well after applying the oil. Don’t want to be itching your eyes afterwards.
I didn’t have any problem with it burning my skin. I didn’t feel any heat at all, just blissful pain relief.
I hope this is one of those things you can stick in your back pocket for when you need it. Especially if you’re like me and not a big fan of over the counter pain relievers.
Have you ever used hot peppers for pain relief? Is it something you’d consider trying in the future?
Comment and let me know what you think.
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