The effect and function of red pepper

Red pepper has a history of 9000 years as a food condiment This spice and food is not only a good condiment, but also an integral part of some herbal formulas Chinese medicine also uses it to treat various diseases, so red pepper has special health care effect Red peppers contain capsaicin, a pain relieving compound Ointment containing capsaicin can be applied to the skin to help treat different pain symptoms It has been proved to be effective in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, postoperative pain and lower back pain Although chili peppers can be used to treat such pain, they cannot be applied to damaged skin Because it can irritate the skin and make the condition worse When herpes zoster is still in an outbreak state, red pepper ointment cannot be applied Instead, wait until the skin heals Some TCM doctors claim that red pepper can reduce itching, but this argument lacks scientific basis, and may even lead to skin allergy or even damage However, psoriasis without a broken skin can be reduced to itching and swelling with chili cream But if capsaicin cream is found to cause irritation, do not simply wash with water Vinegar water should be used as a solution, because vinegar can effectively decompose and reduce the effectiveness of capsaicin Another function of red pepper is to help lose weight Red pepper can temporarily increase body temperature, so it helps the body speed up metabolism and burn more calories Unless there are some taboos mentioned below or taking some drugs, you can promote metabolism by eating red pepper Of course, this method cannot be used as a substitute for a good diet plan and regular exercise Others claim that red peppers are good for preventing and treating heart attacks The medical community is investigating the validity of this statement Red pepper is also an effective prescription for heartburn, stomachache, ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome But medical trials have found that taking red pepper orally can cause some people to experience increased pain, ulcers and nausea Some drugs or diseases may make the use of red pepper very dangerous Red pepper has the risk of side effects in people taking different heart disease drugs For example, people taking aspirin, ACE, or blood thinners should avoid red pepper Because it also increases gastric acid, red pepper is not recommended if there is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or if you are taking anti acid drugs In particular, asthmatic patients taking theophylline should avoid using any form of red pepper because it increases the absorption of the drug and may cause theophylline poisoning Pregnant women, especially at risk of premature birth, should avoid red pepper, which some studies have found can induce premature birth On the other hand, taking capsaicin can help delivery and is safe Capsaicin can be passed on to babies through breast milk, so doctors should be consulted to make choices based on its advantages and disadvantages.