Robb (Kentucky) on 01/13/2024
Cayenne Pepper Infused Oil (Rob’s Formula)
Cayenne oil is not nearly as irritating to the skin as capsaicin creams, and I use it topically for chest congestion, lower back pain, neuralgia, sciatica, muscle aches, fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. For quick headache relief, massage the oil, or a cayenne balm across the temples. Cayenne oil can also help to clear psoriasis and deter itching.
Cautions: Cayenne oil contains capsaicin, which causes a burning/heat sensation. This is normal and should decrease with repeated use capsaicin only causes the sensation of heat, not real damage to tissues. Test your oil on a small patch of skin to gauge its effects before applying to wide areas.
Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper, Ginger, Peanut Oil as Carrier oil * Additions: wintergreen, eucalyptus, peppermint or rosemary essential oils.
Recipe Instructions:
This formula is a cold infusion method. Capsaicin is destroyed by heating so I prefer this method. There are ways the speed up the process but to complex for this tutorial.
1. The ratio of oil to pepper will depend on the hotness of the peppers, and your own preferences, a good ratio is 1 part powder to 4 parts oil. I use a one pint mason jar. I put 3 TBSP Cayenne powder and 2 TBSP Ginger powder into the mason jar. Top off jar with peanut oil to within 1 inch from top. Place lid on mason jar.
2. Shake jar every day for 2 weeks.
3. After the 2 weeks, allow jar to set for 3 days undisturbed so the pulp settles to the bottom. Decant the clear oil off the top.
Rub this oil into painful areas 3x/daily.
Peter (Slate Hill, New York) on 10/16/2008
I read that cayenne pepper could alleviate excruciating pain of arthritis that I had in two fingers on my left hand. I'd awaken daily in pain to find my pinky and ring finger locked in a bent position and it would hurt very much to straighten. I would run hot water over them and it would get worse as weeks went on. I had been playing the piano several hours daily and most likely was the cause of this very painful arthritis, a common piano players ailment that if left unchecked would end my piano playing and use of two fingers. My fingers were dying it seemed. I met several ex-piano players who had exactly the same symptoms and quit playing because of the pain. Anyway, after reading Edgar Cayce's remedies with topical use of Castor Oil I thought it would be good to mix the Cayenne Pepper with Castor Oil so the mixture would stick to my fingers. So before bedtime, I'd take a paper hand towel and cut it to about 10x6 inches, wet it and squeeze excess water out until just very damp, then fold it to 10x2 (triple thick); now I'd mix some cayenne into some castor oil until very orangey/red and smear it on the first four inches (to cover both sides of fingers) of the paper towel and also smear some on my fingers; then I'd wrap my fingers with this bandage and excess paper, and finally a rubber band not too tight holding it all together. Every night I'd do this and take it off in the morning and there was noticeable reduction in pain immediately first day and more use of my fingers and after three months I was 80% normal and within nine months I was completely healed.
Yvonne (Wentzville, MO) on 09/16/2006
I'm 74 have arthritis in my shoulder-can't afford the creams, when I found out the main ingreatent was the same as cayenne pepper, I stared buying hot sauce that is made from aged cayennes, rub it on my shoulder couple times a day, it stains your clothing, but sure helps, and it is a lot cheaper.
