Does anyone have a recipe for homemade capsicum arthritis cream?

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   KrisLposted 10 years ago

   Does anyone have a recipe for homemade capsicum arthritis cream?
   
   It costs $12 dollars or more in the drug store, which makes no sense to me since the active ingredient is cayenne pepper! On the other hand, I don't want to put in too much chili pepper and cause myself severe pain . . .

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   teamrnposted 10 years ago

   Capsasicn (SP?) is very effective, but the-pr that matter-ANY topical cream or ointment that needs to penetrate to the joints, has to be made of small enough molecules so that it can penetrate.
   
   So, unlike aloe, you can't just lop of a leaf of the plant and rub the juice. it needs to be specially formulated, but I don't know HOW, so that it penetrates deeply. Otherwise, you'll just have expensive skin!
   
   I wonder if the cayenne is ground up, REALLY ground up-mortat and pestle style-the way the compounding pharmacist do, if it can be home made, as long as you wash your hands after application. I'd talk to a compounding pharmacist. Most of the pharmacists today aren't doing a ot of that, but that used to be the bread and butter.
   
   Annie.

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      KrisLposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! I'm also wondering whether heating a little in oil would activate the pepper, as that what happens in cooking.

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      teamrnposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The heating oil thing makes a lot of sense, but there would have to be more to it. That's a start probably, but (with all due respect), I think that if all it took were a saucepan, pharmacists would be out of business and everything would be cooked!

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   Alise- Evonposted 10 years ago

   Hello Kris,
   I am studying herbalism under a registered herbalist, and regarding cayenne, he does not advise we make our own creams. In this case, commercial preparations are best. Sorry. But it is really good you asked the question before just trying to make something.
   Have you ever considered seeing a qualified herbalist? They may be able to give you some other, additional, and useful help for arthritis- diet suggestions, other herbs, etc.

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      KrisLposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, that is good to know. And I suspect the commercial creams probably go a long way. I like tiger balm, but it is strong-smelling and not all that long-lasting.
      
      I've researched diet & I'm doing the best I can there, but more herbs may help.

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      Alise- Evonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Kris,
      Did some further searching-  you could make a cayenne salve as opposed to a cream (I was thinking more along these lines when I first read your question, even, but you asked about cream.)  I could give you more info in an e-mail if you wish.

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      KrisLposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Alise,
      I may take you up on that and email in a day or two.

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