CAYENNE - CAPSICUM ANNUUM/CAPSAICIN

Topical

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

This monograph is intended to serve as a guide to industry for the preparation of Product Licence Applications (PLAs) and labels for natural health product market authorization. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.

Notes

Date

March 19, 2021

Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source Information

Table 1. Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information
Proper name(s) Common name(s)
Source information
Source ingredient(s) Source material(s) Part(s) Preparation(s)

Capsicum annuum

  • Cayenne
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Chili pepper
  • Paprika
  • Red Pepper

N/A

Capsicum annuum

Fruit

Dried

  • (6E)-N-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) methyl]-8-methyl-6-nonenamide
  • (E)-8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-6- nonenamide
Capsaicin Capsaicin1 Capsicum annuum Fruit N/A
Capsaicin2 N/A N/A N/A

References: Proper name: USDA 2018; USP 36 2013, NLM 2012; Common names: Blumenthal et al. 2000, McGuffin et al. 2000, NLM 2012; Source information: USP 36 2013, Bradley 2006, Felter and Lloyd 1983.

1Isolate
2Synthetic

Route of Administration

Topical

Dosage Form(s)

The following dosage forms are acceptable when used according to the requirements indicated in this monograph: Cream; Fluid extract; Gel; Liniment; Liquid; Lotion; Oil; Ointment; Salve; Solution; Tincture; Topical liquid.

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

Cayenne powder or extracts

Used in Herbal Medicine (as a rubefacient/counterirritant) to help (temporarily) relieve the symptoms of rheumatism and/or muscle and joint pain (Blumenthal et al. 2000; Lust 1987; BHP 1983; Ellingwood 1983; Felter 1983; Felter and Lloyd 1983; BPC 1934).

Cayenne extracts or Capsaicin (isolate; synthetic)

Dose(s)

Subpopulation(s)

Adults 18 years and older

Quantity(ies)

Cayenne powder or extracts

Herbal Medicine use

Methods of preparation: Powdered standardized, Standardised Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)

The percentage of the medicinal ingredient in the product formulation and the percentage of the potency constituent, capsaicin, in the medicinal ingredient are not restricted as long as the concentration of capsaicin in the finished product is equivalent to:

0.01-0.05% capsaicin (BHP 1983)1

Cayenne extracts

Relief of muscle, joint, tendons and ligaments pain

Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)

The percentage of the medicinal ingredient in the product formulation and the percentage of the potency constituent, capsaicin, in the medicinal ingredient are not restricted as long as the concentration of capsaicin in the finished product is equivalent to:

0.025-0.075% capsaicin (McCarthy et al. 1992; Deal et al. 1991)1

Relief of skin (cutaneous) pain

Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)

The percentage of the medicinal ingredient in the product formulation and the percentage of the potency constituent, capsaicin, in the medicinal ingredient are not restricted as long as the concentration of capsaicin in the finished product is equivalent to:

0.075% capsaicin (Watson1993; Tandan et al. 1992; Scheffler et al. 1991; The Capsaicin Study Group 1991; Bernstein et al. 1989)1

Capsaicin (isolate; synthetic)

Relief of muscle, joint, tendons and ligaments pain

Methods of preparation: Isolate, Synthetic

0.025-0.075% capsaicin (McCarthy et al. 1992; Deal et al. 1991)

Relief of skin (cutaneous) pain

Methods of preparation: Isolate, Synthetic

0.075% capsaicin (Watson1993; Tandan et al. 1992; Scheffler et al. 1991; The Capsaicin Study Group 1991; Bernstein et al. 1989)

Note:
1 For standardized Cayenne fruit powder or extract, the percentage of capsaicin in the finished product should also be included on the product label.
e.g.
Cayenne extract (Capsicum annuum - fruit) 30%, standardized to 0.1% capsaicin is equivalent to 0.03 % capsaicin in the finished product

Direction(s) for use

Herbal Medicine use

Apply as needed.

Other uses

Apply thinly and evenly to affected area up to 3-4 times per day. Rub and/or massage into skin until solution vanishes (US FDA 1979).

Combination rule

No permitted combinations. This monograph only supports single ingredient products.

Duration(s) of Use

Herbal Medicine use

No statement required.

Other uses

Use for at least 1-4 weeks to see beneficial effects (Berardi 2002; McCarthy et al. 1992; Deal et al.1991).

Risk Information

Caution(s) and warning(s)

All products

Contraindication(s)

No statement required.

Known adverse reaction(s)

All products

Stop use if headache, erythema, redness, rashes, burning discomfort or hypersensitivity occurs (Martindale 2010; Zhang et al. 2008; Hoffman 2003; Berardi 2002; McCleane 2000).

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Storage conditions

No statement required.

Specifications

References Cited

References Reviewed