Chili Peppers: The Hot New Cure for Surgical Pain?

As a way to keep patients off of narcotics after surgery this is what they are doing. Check out this article in Halifax Health magazine this month. www.halifaxhealth.org. According to the article, patients who received a vial of capsaicin liquid poured directly on the open surgical site were ready to get out of bed almost immediately after surgery. They said the capsaicin deadens the nerve endings for several weeks, so the site can heal.

Here are some other interesting uses:

Insect repellent. Apply super-hot sauces with oleoresin capsicum in them to the threshold of your front door to deter ants and other insects from crawling in under the door. NIT International has released NouGuard, a bio-repellent for ants that is made mostly from capsaicin. It is sprayed around the perimeter of structures to keep the ants outside.

Animal repellent: Chile powder can added to bird seed to prevent squirrels from eating it; there is no effect on birds and the vitamin A in the powder brightens the birds’ plumage.

One company, IntAgra, manufactures Get Away Repellent spray in two formulations: Dog and Cat or Squirrel and Raccoon. The Dog and Cat repellent is used to keep those animals out of garbage, gardens, lawns, and landscaped areas. The Squirrel and Raccoon spray is used on bird feeders and gardens.

Other unusual uses:

Barnacle repellent (my boss has used this one. You mix the cooked down chili mixture in with your bottom paint.

Chili Facewash (apparently, it is a good anti-acne agent.)

Please look these up online for the recipes before attempting to use them!

Source: Some of this information was found on a web page written by Dave Dewitt from Chili Pepper Magazine.