Saturday, August 2, 2014

Acne Treatment with Cayenne Pepper

Acne sufferers seem to be receiving a lot of enlightenment to alter their diet structure, thanks to the growing research on the link between food and acne. There is no dearth to herbal formulations and home remedies for acne. Did you know that even peppers can reduce the inflammation of pimples? It may sound weird, but the quest for acne relief has indeed led to such strange discoveries! Cayenne pepper contains Vitamin C and antioxidants that are important nutrients to promote skin health. So, let's delve into some detail about using peppers for acne cure.

Cayenne pepper, which is widely used for spicing up food, has valuable medicinal properties. In fact, its medicinal use dates back to almost nine centuries! Most of us associate pepper with hot and chilly taste, which is rather unwelcoming for many people. But, what is that magic ingredient that imparts healing qualities to pepper? Capsaicin is considered to be the active acne-fighting ingredient in Cayenne pepper. This ingredient has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and pain-relieving properties. It works in two ways. First it opens your skin pore and steps up blood flow to your skin surface. Next, it kills bacteria hidden within your skin layers. In case, you have sensitive skin, this ingredient can help de-sensitize the skin and provide relief from topical pain caused by circulatory problems. It is the best known herb for improving blood circulation. Inflammation is invariably associated with acne, be it comedones or zits. Severe inflammation is the cause for cystic acne, which is manifested as large and swollen pimples filled with pus. Given that fighting inflammation is the key to treat acne, Capsaicin can be an effective medicine.

How does Cayenne work? Cayenne works by stimulating blood circulation to any sick area in your body. When you consume cayenne, or when it touches your tongue, it is instantly absorbed, as evident from the sensation you get. Your nervous system transmits signals to all parts of your body, so as to send fresh blood wherever required. Further, Cayenne itself contains Vitamins C, E and carotenoids that impart healing; its capsaicin reduces platelet stickiness to alleviate pain. Therefore, it helps you accomplish a natural acne treatment method by treating your system internally. Clearade reviews explain this mechanism very well.



How can you utilize the acne-fighting property of Cayenne pepper? The simplest method is to increase the use of chili peppers in your meals. Herbalists recommend using pepper powder rather than capsules. This is because your stomach prepares to receive the pepper the moment the powder touches your tongue, whereas if you swallow a capsule form, your stomach senses the pepper only a few minutes after the gelatin melts in the stomach; hence, your stomach is caught unawares and you cannot get the benefits of consuming pepper. Alternatively, you may crush the pepper and apply it on your skin. You may also find acne sprays containing capsaicin as an active ingredient, in addition to green tea, cucumber and other ingredients. However, its use in acne treatment is not backed by scientific study. It may cause a stinging or burning sensation or irritate your skin. And, make sure that you're not allergic to peppers. So, its best to get the opinion of a naturopathy specialist or dermatologist to assess you skin and recommend the right method.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7376721

The Benefits and Possible Risks of Black Pepper

Is black pepper good for you? In truth, there is no simple answer to this question. There have not been enough studies on black pepper to verify if it is overall healthful and beneficial, detrimental, or neither. 

There are, however, plenty of suggestions as to the benefits (and negatives) associated with black pepper. Here are a few of them:

Possible Benefits of Black Pepper:
· Alleviates hemorrhoids
· Alleviates gas
· Alleviates constipation
· Improves digestion - just think, by grinding or shaking black pepper onto your meal, you may actually be aiding yourself in the digestion of that meal. 

How? Black pepper stimulates the taste buds, alerting your stomach to increase its hydrochloric acid secretion which aids in digestion.
· Alleviates loss of appetite - again, black pepper wakes up and stimulates your taste buds.
· Promotes sweating
· Promotes urination
· Anti-bacterial effect
· Anti-oxidant effect
· Stimulates the breakdown of fat cells
· Inhaling vapor from black pepper extract may reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking - this theory is still being tested...
· Piperine - an alkaloid found in black pepper - could enhance the bioavailability of some nutritional substances and drugs. It also may have anti-carcinogenic properties and anticonvulsant

Possible Negative Effects of Black Pepper
· According to at least one study, black pepper may cause an increase in parietal secretion (of hydrochloric acid - the acid abovementioned as an aid to digestion) and pepsin secretion and a loss in potassium.

· Also, there is a chance of mucosal mircrobleeding and even gastric bleeding due black pepper (due, at least in part, to the above-stated secretions).

· Piperine may actually be carcinogenic (although some studies show that it is anti-carcinogenic...) and it might even have negative effects on sperm and interfere with reproductive processes.

All in all, it seems that more likely than not, black pepper has positive health benefits. But before you start loading black pepper onto every single meal, realize that there are possible negatives, as well (which can practically be said about most any food!)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/200086