Oguniyi, on Wednesday in Lagos said red
pepper was a natural pain killer and an
alternative to medication.
Oguniyi, who works with the University of Ibadan
said that extracts from red pepper were essential
in pain treatment.
“Studies have shown in some parts of the world
that extracts from red pepper, especially the
capsicum specie, can actually be used to treat pain.
“It is not the pepper that will be rubbed directly on
the affected area; it is the extracts from it, which
would have been processed in a laboratory.
“It is useful as a topical preparation; when you
apply it on the skin, initially, it burns, but after a
while, the person does not feel the pain again,” he
said.
According to Oguniyi, red pepper extract is safe for
most people, although, it is not supposed to be
applied directly on open wounds or irritated areas.
He said various types of mild and moderate pains
could be controlled with red pepper extracts as an
alternative to medication or medical procedures.
According to him, the extracts can be applied on
the affected areas of pains such as back pains,
cluster headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, shingles
and nerve pains due to diabetes.
