We asked Jason Miller, DACM, Chief Formulator of Green Earth Medicinals, to explain why he includes Cayenne extract (Capsicum annuum) in his CBD botanical formulations.

Cayenne, the traditional spice from the Americas, has therapeutic qualities as well as a fiery flavor. It contains substances called capsaicinoids such as capsaicin, which can bring relief from sensations of burning pain or itching. These compounds are concentrated around the seeds and protect them from most predators.

Capsaicin targets TRPV1 receptors, which control heat and cold sensations, and are involved in pain signaling.These receptors are also a target of many cannabinoids, including CBD.

Cayenne is a well documented pain reliever that shows synergy with CBD clinically, and also has strong synergistic potential via mutual effects at TRPV1 receptors. Capsaicin is well absorbed when administered topically, and has been shown to modulate neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain.

For these reasons, cayenne is a great addition to our CBD Relief | Muscle Spray.

At Green Earth Medicinals, we combine full-spectrum CBD with other botanicals to create uniquely effective products. To learn more about why we do this, please watch this educational video from our Understanding CBD video series:

Citations:
1. Oltean, H. (2014). Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Dec 23;(12):CD004504.
2. Sarabon, N. (2018). Acute effect of different concentrations of cayenne pepper cataplasm on sensory-motor functions and serum levels of inflammation-related biomarkers in healthy subjects. Eur J Transl Myol 2018 Jan 12; 28(1): 7333.
3. Anand, P. (2011). Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8% patch. British Journal of Anaesth. 2011 Oct; 107(4): 490–502.
4. Fattori, V. (2016). Capsaicin: Current Understanding of Its Mechanisms and Therapy of Pain and Other Pre-Clinical and Clinical Uses. Molecules 2016, 21(7), 844.