What are the health benefits of taking Capsaicin?

Capsaicin is a natural pain reliever, according to experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Capsaicin can be taken orally or applied to the skin to reduce substance P, a chemical in the body that tells the brain the body is in pain.

Capsaicin relieves pain due to osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. It also relieves nerve pain caused by shingles and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Patients with low back pain or pain following surgery may also find relief using capsaicin, according to University of Maryland Medical Center experts. Capsaicin helps relieve itching and inflammation in people who suffer psoriasis, and some studies indicate it may help suppress appetite and help people lose weight.