Can Cayenne Peppers Really Cure a Headache?

[Guest guest]

I know Marty posted a thread on Cayenne a few days ago, so while its

circulating this is a follow up..

Michele

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/11/24/can-

cayenne-peppers-really-cure-a-headache.aspx

Chronic headache sufferers may soon have some new alternatives. The

active ingredient in cayenne peppers, capsaicin, is believed to bring

headache relief by depleting Substance P, a neurotransmitter that

helps send pain signals.

Although some are still skeptical, a number of studies have tested

the claim, and most have found evidence to support it. One prominent

study on capsaicin for pain relief was published back in 1998 in the

Clinical Journal of Pain. Their review of 33 previous studies found

that capsaicin worked better than a placebo for cluster headaches.

Most studies suggest that the capsaicin needs to be applied

topically, such as swabbing the inside of your nose, in order for it

to be effective.

Sources:

New York Times October 30, 2007

Clinical Journal of Pain June 1998;14(2):97-106

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Cayenne pepper, also known as chili pepper, is definitely one of your

more multi-functional spices, so if you're a lover of hot and spicy

food, that's great news. Some of the research into the health

benefits of capsaicin (its active ingredient) has found that it may:

Reverse Type 1 diabetes in mice, when injected into the pancreas

Relieve stomach aches, and gas

Help fight cancer, by binding to proteins in cancer cell

mitochondria, triggering cellular death without harming healthy cells

When it comes down to it, all this research into the benefits of food

products really points out the importance that your diet plays in

your overall health – even though they are narrow-mindedly focusing

on picking out the active ingredients to be able to patent it and put

it in a pill.

Other Natural Treatment Options for Your Headaches

Headaches can generally be divided into two types, tension and

migraine. Migraine can be extremely debilitating, and many of the

drugs used to treat migraines are effective in relieving this severe

pain, offering welcome relief. Unfortunately, they do absolutely

nothing to treat the cause and in fact actually contribute to your

problem as after a short while they might cause rebound headaches

themselves.

Fortunately, many natural treatment options exist that can help treat

migraines. These should always be considered first, as drugs to treat

migraines can make your problem worse, and often come with other

serious side effects.

Natural Solutions Are Your BEST Option

Following my eating plan, which is designed to take your personal

biochemistry into account, so that you're eating the right foods for

your nutritional type, seems to reduce headaches and migraines by

about 80 percent.

Avoiding wheat, grains, sugar, artificial preservatives, and all

fluids but water seem to be particularly effective.

However, your customized eating plan does take some time to work. In

the past, I have used intravenous magnesium to relieve the headache

pain, but now I find that the Emotional Freedom Technique is

incredibly effective. Oftentimes it can remove your pain in as little

as a few minutes.

I am sure it won't work for everyone, but I have yet to find that

person. I have found it to be truly amazing. And, as time goes on,

more and more people (including some more open-minded medical

professionals) will begin to accept the truth about energy medicine,

as the facts about the " New Biology " becomes more widespread.

The New Biology is based on the science of epigenetics, which

literally means that your mind is in control over your genes –

nothing in your medical history is preordained. In essence, your mind

is in total control over your physical body, and the ailments you

develop. This is not a very popular truth as of yet, as most people

are not willing to accept that they carry the responsibility for

their health.

But, it may very well explain why energy psychology tools, such as

EFT, are so effective, and can be used for such a wide variety of

ailments. EFT can also be used to eliminate food cravings, which can

help you stick to your eating plan.

One final, simple tip to free yourself from migraine pain -- start an

exercise program. This will help to improve your response to stress

along with the underlying inflammatory conditions that can trigger

migraines.

Remember, your pain typically serves a very useful purpose, signaling

that something is not right -- prompting you to resolve your problem

at its root level.

Unfortunately, most are brainwashed and resort to a drug model to

cover the problem up. So I take the position of embracing and loving

pain for the important warning signal it can provide. Once you

understand what is causing your pain you can start using natural

therapies to address the underlying cause.

Related Articles:

Migraine Headache Relief Without Medication

Alternative Treatments for Headaches That Really Work

Wheat Can Cause Severe Headaches