Sometimes the things that irritate the body can be the most helpful to it. At least, this is the case for the active component of chili peppers. An irritant for many animals, including humans, the component capsaicin causes the peppers to taste “hot” (Mason, 2004). This aspect of the chili pepper causes the neurons to be excited and increases the sensitivity, which causes itchiness and burning sensations (Mason, 2004). These sensations are the defense mechanisms by chili peppers to protect it from being eaten by other species. So how could something that creates an instant negative response in the body be good for it? When extracted and used in a unique method, the capsaicin that creates a burning sensation can actually bring a better sensation. Capsaicin can be used for medical purposes. Three studies show that capsaicin can be used to treat chronic pain, restore cardiac autonomic functions, and maintain modest body-weight loss. However, there is also a deeper effect of these studies that meet the eye.
In a study by Lorna Mason, R. Andrew Moore, Sheena Derry, Jayne E. Edwards, and Henry J. McQuay, the results showed that while the results were not the most effective, topical capsaicin can be used for those who do not respond to other treatments. To reach this conclusion, the following method was used. Registered brand names of capsaicin and capsicum were used to create the topical treatment. Random adults who suffered chronic pain from either neuropathic conditions such as diabetic neuropathic or postherpetic neuralgia, or musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis and back pain, were given this treatment. The treatment was .075% capsaicin for neuropathic condition participants and .025% capsaicin for musculoskeletal condition ...
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... maintenance was also higher with the capsaicin subjects than the placebo ones. A side effect of the pill was that subjects stated they had a burning feeling in their stomachs. However, this is a reasonable side effect for the benefit of burning more fuel (Lejeune, 2003).
Each of these studies brought a positive result to show that capsaicin is a helpful thing to have in or on the body. Chili peppers have this capsaicin as a natural defense mechanism. Yet it can lessen the pain of various chronic pain (Mason, 2004), be the best initial treatment to PHN (Hempenstall, 2005), be completely beneficial to the heart after exercising (Shin, 2004), and maintain a reasonable body-weight loss ratio (Lejeune, 2003). Yes, there are side effects of using this treatment, such as burning near the applied area or in the stomach when digested, but the benefits outweigh the bad.
Some of the health benefits of a jalapeños are it can lower the rate of having a cancer and heart diseases. Burciaga points out that “A chile a day keeps the doctor away. U.S. Government studies show that people living in the Southwest have the lowest rate from heart disease and cancer in the
Some of the health benefits of a jalapeño are it can lower the rate of having a cancer and heart diseases. Burciaga points out that “According to Dr. T. F. Burks of the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, hot peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical that is responsible for piquancy and can effectively relieve certain types of pain”(18). This is one of the reasons why I admired the jalapeno even more. Because not only it makes me eat even more and enjoy my food, but also it can give comfort to some of my pain that I feel inside. Additionally, he also mentioned that “U.S. Government studies show that people living in the Southwest have the lowest rate from heart disease and cancer in the United States”(18).
Nagaland of India contains one of the world’s hottest chilies – the Naga King Chili (Bhut Jolokia). The author of the article, Mary Roach, arrived to Nagaland to experience the Hornbill Festival, in particular, to watch the Naga King Chili-Eating Competition. She aimed to find out and understand the pleasure and pain the Capsicum genus brings to the people who consume it. The Naga King Chili Pepper varies in heat, but can score extremely high on the Scoville heat unit. The contestants of the chili-eating contest began to suffer from the effect of the capsaicin in their digestive tracts. Some experienced hot flashes and unbearable heat from within, others, like the winner of the contest, vomited at the end of the competition. Some competitors were only able to eat a few of the Naga King Chili, however, others ate up to fourteen chilies. Tolerance for capsaicin, according to the article, is largely built on practice. Only a small part is due to genetics. Capsaicin damages pain receptors over time, so if someone continuously eats hot chili peppers, the pain receptors in their nerves will slowly degenerate and become less sensitive. Mary Roach was able to sample the Naga King Chili in small doses, which brings out the wonderful flavors that would otherwise be overwhelmed by the heat of the capsaicin.
These intensely hot products of summer are overflowing with flavour and lycopene – an antioxidant that may secure against a few cancers. They additionally convey a wealth of vitamins A and C, potassium, and phytochemicals.
Lindberg, D. (n.d.). Herbal Medicine: MedlinePlus. U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbal
Today, it’s still used to treat pain, headache and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis. The bark contains salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin. When combined with the herb's powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds, flavonoids, salicin is thought to relieve pain (but not fever) and inflammation. In fact, aspirin is actually the brainchild of salicin.
Peppermint can be defined as the aromatic leaves of a plant of the mint family, or an essential oil obtained from them, used as a flavoring in food. For instance, WebMD explains the common uses for peppermint in food, peppermints can be used as flavoring agents, and are a common holiday flavor used in many thing such as coffee drinks and cookies.(WebMD, 2009) Peppermints are still technically a chemically enhanced food. For example, Chi Phung explains what chemicals are used to make the hybrid mint, or a mint containing two or more chemicals, methanol creates the mints cooling effect and menthone makes the icy scent. (Chi Phung, 2013) Peppermint essential oils are often used for medical uses as well. According to WebMD, the oil can used for the side effects of the common cold, more specifically coughing, inflammation in the mouth or throat, sinus infections, and bacterial growth.(WebMD, 2009) Also, WebMD states that the oil can be used for digestive problems such as, heart burn, vomiting, cramps, a simple upset stomach, morning sickness, and more serious issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (WebMD,
...h an upset stomach, menstrual cramps; I was also told that it would help my sleep at night. Another popular oil is tea tree, I have had personal experiences with this and by putting it on my acne I have seen a dramatic effect with my skin and a reduction of acne. Tea tree oil is also good for burns and ear infections. Peppermint oil is also popular for indigestion as well as mint teas. These each have specific parts of the body that they heal and take affect too.
In the past decades the incidence of heart disease has increased, about three million people dying of cardiovascular disease in China per year (according to statistics from the Ministry of Public Health of China), which draws people’s great concern to find ways to take precautions. With the development of element analytical method, some types of chemical substances that are beneficial to cardiac health have been found. Lycopene is a very popular natural anti-oxidants found in recent years (Dai, 2011), as well as capsaicin and dietary fiber. Whilst some research focuses on the mechanism of action, little attention has been paid to usability issues, in particular to the generalization of health-giving chemical substances in ordinary meals. There is a lot of evidence that vegetables can positively contribute to prevent heart diseases, by supplying biologically active components. This article continues previous research in the field of Biochemistry and Medical Science, mainly trying to study the effective components which can prevent heart disease in edible vegetables.
Integrative medicine is, “…the combination of conventional high-tech medicine with alternative medicine in nontraditional therapies, products, and practices, using the best approaches in healing” (Saxon & Etten & Perkins, 2010). Using this integrative medicine helps for a wider spectrum of possible treatments and to focus on the health of the whole body. This ever growing change in health care has helped with the elderly and the growing issues relating to pain. Each one of these complementary and alternative medicine can benefit the elderly when dealing with chronic pain and an option when looking into pain
In the video “The Hidden World of Chili Peppers,” Stephen the speaker is giving an informative speech on the history of chili peppers. The video is broken up into two parts. In the first part of the video Stephen is being showed giving an informative speech that needs lots of improvements. He is unorganized and improperly dress. In the second part of the video the viewer see Stephen properly dressed and very organized. Each part of the video provided important information on the proper and wrong way to deliver an informative speech. I will analysis what went wrong in the first speech, and how Stephen improved in the second speech. I thought that both parts of the video were informative,
Marion Good, PhD, RN, has focused her study, “A Middle-Range Theory of Acute pain Management: Use in Research,” on complementary medicine for pain and stress, acute pain, and stress immunity. The purpose of this theory is to put into practice guidelines for pain management. Good, 1998, noted the need for a balance between medication usage and side effects of pain medications. The theory also promoted patient education related to pain management following surgery and encouraged plan development for acceptable levels of pain management. This theory was developed through deductive reasoning. Chinn & Kramer, 2008, defined deductive reasoning as going from a general concept to a more specific concept. Good, 1998, related that there was a balance between analgesia and side effects in which two outcomes can be deduced: (1) a decrease in pain, and (2) a decrease in side effects. These outcomes can be studied further or more detailed concepts can be deduced from them.
Today people are becoming more aware of the advantages of using natural health products. Apart from it being a cost-efficient solution to maintain and attain healthier body, the products made from herbal and natural ingredients offer a myriad of benefits compared to those made from chemical and artificial ingredients. The followi...
Herbal remedies’ qualities are widespread availability, lower cost, effective for chronic conditions. Herbal remedies are the use of plants or plant extract to treat a person’ overall health. Herbal treatments are prominent for developing countries for instance, “in Africa up to 90% and in India 70% of the population depend on traditional medicine to help meet their health care needs” (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011), due to their low cost and availability. Herbal remedies have gained attention in the past decades, and expanding their uses due to the increased interest of natural therapies (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011). Herbs used on the remedies grow in the wild throughout the world, therefore making it easy to
Ginger has been known to have tremendous anti-inflammatory effects. It contains gingerols, which is a potent anti-inflammatory compound that is believed to reduce the pain levels for people who have arthritis. Ginger also helps in improving the mobility of arthritic patients particularly does who are suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. In studies conducted in patients who responded to conventional drugs and those who didn’t, researchers found that 75% of arthritis patients and 100% of patients suffering with muscular discomfort experienced relief in swelling and pain. Other neurodegenerative diseases can also be aided by ginger’s ability to inhibit the production of nitrous oxide and proinflammatory cytokines.