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Health

Medicine from chilies?

June 4, 2018

Chilies are small but some pack a powerful punch. Most people don't eat them raw but use them in cooking. Now there’s a new use for them outside the kitchen.

https://p.dw.com/p/1FaKb
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Image: picture-alliance/McPHOTOs

Chilies can be used for more than cooking. Capsaicin, which is responsible for the spice, can also be used to produce a wonderfully effective muscle relaxant. Most of the capsaicin is found in the septa and seeds of the chili pepper. Simply mix the chilies with oil, leave for six to eight weeks and then massage into tight muscles. The heat in the oil stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscle, creating a similar effect to a heat pack.