Perhaps there needs to be a warning that goes along with this story – DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

That warning may be necessary because scientists have discovered that the ingredients in hot chili peppers that make your eyes tear up and your breathing to become shortened can also clear up sinus problems.

Hot and Spicy Helps

The effect of eating hot spicy foods like mustards, onions, jalapeños, and the like have always made you feel that there must be something good happening for all the fire-breathing, blow you head off effect of a strong condiment or other rip-snooting food.  Now scientists have proven it … sort of.

The scientists concocted a nasal spray made up of hot chili peppers – or at least the prime ingredient of hot peppers, capsicum.  When they compared their concoction with a placebo and tested it on 44 people with serious nasal congestion, sinus pressure or pain for two weeks they found the sufferers achieved some significant benefits.  The results showed that the hot chili pepper-based spray provided satisfactory relief quicker than the placebo, although only by a minute or so – although if you are a sinus sufferer one minute could be a godsend.

Previously Tested But Too Hot

It’s not the first time scientists have used capsicum or capsaicin.  They are active ingredients in a number of products that help achieve temporary pain relief.  It’s also sometimes found in muscle ache remedies and patches.

It was also interesting that this test worked well, because previous tests didn’t work narly as well because the ingredient used was too hot to give to a human without anesthetizing them first.  Wow.  Can you imagine having to be put under in order to get relief?  What’s worse the problem or the cure?

So, don’t be surprised if the Red Hot Chili Peppers (the band) aren’t soon asked to endorse or be the spokespersons for the red-hot chili peppers (the nasal spray).  A marketing match made in heaven – or in a marketing specialists office.

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