Capsaicin / Capsaicin

Besides being a popular ingredient in spicy dishes from world cuisine, hot chili peppers play a surprising role for the average foodie in the medical and cosmetic world.

Capsaicin is the compound that creates the “burning” sensation in your mouth when you eat hot peppers. It is well known for its pain-relieving properties, as it acts on the neurotransmitter that transmits the pain signal to the brain, thereby reducing its perception.

The spicy ingredient also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is therefore used as a secret agent in medicines and cosmetic products. It also stimulates blood flow, which is crucial for a healthy scalp and hair.

As a pain reliever

Capsaicin is often used as a pain relief agent for pain caused by arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, migraine, muscle strains, and sprains. It works by first stimulating and then reducing the intensity of pain signals in the body.

It activates the release of a compound believed to send pain signals between nerves in the spinal cord and other parts of the body.

As a dietary supplement

When you eat hot peppers or take capsaicin in supplement form, your digestion improves by increasing stomach juices, which in turn kill bacteria that cause various types of infections.

The ingredient acts as an antioxidant that protects the body’s cells from the commonly mentioned agents, derivatives of normal biological processes in the body, known as free radicals.

Capsaicin is believed to strengthen lung tissues and help prevent or treat emphysema.

As an ingredient in cosmetics

As a powerful stimulant, the spicy agent is very effective in treating hair loss. It activates certain receptors under the skin that produce peptides. With prolonged use, they stimulate the production of insulin-like growth factor, which leads to accelerated hair growth.

Applied to the scalp, capsaicin causes a tickling sensation of mild skin numbness. This stimulates blood circulation, increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle.

Ultimately, this positively affects the overall metabolic process of the skin at the cellular level, restoring hair vitality and promoting its growth. Capsaicin also stimulates the skin cells of the scalp, resulting in the production of new hair follicles.

Besides combating hair loss, it has been proven effective as:

• an anti-dandruff agent
• an antifungal agent
• an antimicrobial agent
• an antioxidant agent
• a topical analgesic
• a skin protective agent

Consuming capsaicin from spicy foods, spices, and dietary supplements can be beneficial, but of course, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet that includes all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for the beauty of your hair and your overall health.