Care2 - The Healing Power of Spices: "The Healing Power of Spices David Winston - American Herbalists Guild Traditional medicine has recognized the medicinal benefits of spices for thousands of years. Now: A growing body of scientific evidence supports the use of spices to prevent -- and even help treat -- various diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's.*
New findings... CAYENNE PEPPER What it does: Lowers cholesterol... helps prevent atherosclerosis... and reduces allergic responses. An extract from the pepper, called capsaicin, can be used in a topical cream to treat pain from arthritis, shingles, bursitis, low-back ache and neuropathy (nerve pain). Cayenne's benefits can be attributed to the antioxidants, flavonoids and carotenoids it contains, all of which have anti-inflammatory effects and enhance circulation. Capsaicin depletes nerve endings of substance P, a neurotransmitter that facilitates nerve transmission of pain."