The Foods That Classify As Nightshades
“Nightshades” refer to more than 2,800 species of plants that are grown in the shade of night. The plants belong to the scientific order of Polemoniales and the Solanaceae family of plants.
The nightshades include numerous vegetables: potatoes, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarillos, pepitos, pimentos, paprika, and cayenne peppers. Hot sauces made from hot peppers are considered nightshades.
Also, ground cherries, garden huckleberry, naranjilla, and even tobacco are considered nightshades. Note that sweet potatoes, yams, and black pepper are not included among the nightshades.
The Effect Of Cayenne Pepper On Arthritis
Fact Checked
Arthritis is the term for over 100 different conditions, of which the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The main symptoms associated with arthritis include pain, inflammation and swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint function. Natural remedies such as cayenne pepper can help relieve some arthritis symptoms. However, consult your doctor for more advice on using cayenne pepper medicinally.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
It Is A Natural Antioxidant That Can Promote Detoxification
Free radicals are toxins in the body which cause damage to the cells by an oxidation process. Various diseases are linked to free radicals.
Antioxidants are substances that reduce this oxidation process and help in detoxification in the body.
Arthritis patients have reduced the level of antioxidants and supplementation of antioxidants can improve the symptoms of arthritis.
Black pepper essential oil has been identified to possess potentantioxidantproperties.
This property is due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds.
Therefore, black pepper oil can be a natural way to detoxify the body and enrich it with antioxidants.
What does this mean? Arthritis can increase the toxins in the body and cause damage to the cells. Black pepper being a natural antioxidant can prevent this damage and detoxify the body.
Also Check: Does Sugar Cause Arthritis Pain
Benefits Of Black Pepper Essential Oil In Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful condition that impedes the daily activities of a person.
Apart from painful joints arthritis patients also experience swelling due to inflammation and joint stiffness.
It is important to control arthritis with medication.
Other non-drug therapies like hot and cold therapy, relaxation with aromatherapy, exercise, diet plans, etc., can help arthritis symptoms as well.
Essential oils have served in many aspects of life from flavoring to health benefits.
Using essential oils for arthritis symptoms can be effective in reducing pain and other problems.
Black pepper oil is one such essential oil that can benefit arthritis. Before a detailed discussion of these benefits let us glance through the characteristics of the black pepper essential oil.
Cell Culture And Reagents
All in vitro experiments were carried out with fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis . After obtaining informed consent, synovial tissues were collected from RA patients. They met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of RA and had been treated with non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and were underwent therapeutic joint surgery. FLSs were isolated as described previously and grown in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1 × antibiotic-antimycotic . After the cells had grown to confluence, they were split at a 1:4 ratio. FLS passages 3 to 6 from three patients were used for all experiments. Piperine, prednisolone, corn oil and carrageenan were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Korea . Celecoxib was purchased in the form of the commercial drug, Celebrex .
You May Like: What Are Signs Of Arthritis In Feet
Why Turmeric And Black Pepper Is A Powerful Combination
Turmeric, also known as the golden spice, is a tall plant that grows in Asia and Central America.
It gives curry its yellow color and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years to treat various health conditions.
Studies support its use and show that it can benefit your health.
But coupling turmeric with black pepper may enhance its effects.
This article reviews the potential health benefits of combining turmeric and black pepper.
1 ).
And while most people think of it as nothing but a seasoning, black pepper can benefit health as well.
Both turmeric and black pepper have key active ingredients that contribute to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and disease-fighting qualities.
A History Of Potential Benefits
There are additional benefits listed for black pepper and, specifically, the piperine it contains. Culbertson notes that we still need additional data from studies but, historically, black pepper has popped up frequently as a treatment.
Its been used by different cultures as a medicine of sorts for thousands of years, she says. It was applied to aid everything from pain relief to digestive issues to immune enhancement.
You May Like: What Foods Should Be Avoided With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Which Peppers Are Harmful To Arthritis Sufferers
Some people feel that the solanine found in nightshade plants causes inflammation or exacerbates arthritis-related inflammation.
While some patients claim that consuming nightshades containing solanine makes their symptoms worse, there is no evidence that solanine has a direct effect on inflammation or arthritic pain. Instead, a food sensitivity to the nightshade family could be the source of these symptoms.
According to a 2010 study, eating purple or yellow potatoes can help reduce inflammation and DNA damage. These species are high in antioxidants, such as carotenoids, which the authors believe may protect cells from harm.
Regardless, if a person suspects they may have a food intolerance or allergy to nightshades, they should exclude them from their diet and track any changes in their symptoms.
If a person wants to cut nightshades out of their diet, they can replace them with non-nightshade veggies like:
From Stopping Cigarette Cravings To Removing Uric Acid From The Body Here Are 10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Black Pepper Oil
In ancient India, black pepper was known as black gold because of its high trade value. It was even used as currency. Black pepper was one spice Christopher Columbus had his eyes on and set the sail to find it. Columbus filled his ship with what he thought to be priceless black pepper in the West Indies but later when he reached Spain, he realized that it was chili pepper. Black pepper, indigenous to Kerala in India, is a commonly used spice and is popular across the world. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like manganese, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin K and carotene. It also contains essential oils like pinene, limonene and myrcene. .Also Read – Monkeypox Declared Global Health Emergency: Signs, Symptoms, How to Identify, Prevent, and Stay Safe from Monkeypox
Although the black pepper is quite famous, the black pepper oil is not widely known. It has a peppery, musky, spicy and warm aroma. It contains a chemical, monoterpenes, which has been shown to have a positive impact on your body. Black pepper is usually used for the wellness of your nervous and digestive system. You can inhale it, ingest it or apply the black pepper oil topically. Here are some incredible health benefits of black pepper oil. Also Read – Chamomile Tea Benefits: Top 5 Reasons Why You Must Add Chamomile Tea In Your Diet – Watch Video
You May Like: Does High Humidity Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage And Side Effects Of Capsaicin
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, creams or ointments containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin can be applied topically up to four times daily. The burning sensation the study participants experienced is a common side effect of capsaicin. It may also cause itching and increase your pain initially. Also, because youre applying capsaicin topically, it has no drug interactions and no serious toxicity, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Allow three to seven days for capsaicin from cayenne to relieve pain and other symptoms relating to arthritis.
- According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, creams or ointments containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin can be applied topically up to four times daily.
Black Pepper Essential Oil Benefits You Wont Believe
Black pepper is one of the most widely used spices on the planet. Its valued not only as a flavoring agent in our meals, but also for a variety of other purposes, such as medicinal uses, as a preservative and in perfumery. In recent decades, scientific research has explored the many possible benefits of black pepper essential oil such as relief from aches and pains, lowering cholesterol, detoxifying the body and enhancing circulation, among many more.
Black peppers major active principle, piperine, has been shown to have many beneficial health attributes including possible anticancer properties, which is why researchers have looked at it for inclusion in diet therapy for cancer treatment as well as cancer prevention.
Are you ready to take a closer look at the benefits of this incredible essential oil?
Recommended Reading: How Turmeric Is Linked To Arthritis
What Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Arthritis
When you have arthritis, one of the most crucial stops you can make in the grocery store is the fruit area. Antioxidants and other nutrients found in vegetables protect cells from harm and reduce inflammation throughout the body, especially in joints. When selecting veggies, keep in mind that the more color, the better, and variety is essential.
Heres a list of some of the vegetables you should be eating every day.
Free radicals are damaging consequences of energy synthesis and other metabolic processes in the body. Free radicals not only cause cell damage, but theyve also been connected to rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and K are abundant in green, leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, Swiss chard, and bok choy, which protect cells from free radical damage. These foods are also high in calcium, which is good for bones.
Another benefit of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is sulforaphane, a natural chemical. Sulforaphane suppresses the inflammatory process in animals and may help reduce cartilage deterioration in osteoarthritis . Theres also some evidence that eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables can help avoid the onset of RA.
White Pepper Prevents Wrinkles
White pepper is a good exfoliate and is added in many herbal facial packs. This helps in prevention of wrinkles, removal of dark circles under the eyes, prevention of sagging of skin, removal of dryness of skin and helps in restoring skin vitality. The anti-bacterial features of white pepper prevent occurrence of pimples and boils too. White pepper is used in the treatment of vitiligo, which is a skin disease. White pepper has abundant piperline which is a natural skin color restoration agent.
Also Check: Is Red Light Therapy Good For Arthritis
Histological Assessment Of Inflammation
The rats were killed after 9 days of carrageenan and control treatments. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the degree of immune cells infiltration into the joints. Rat ankles were dissected, fixed in 10% formalin, dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, cleared in xylene, and processed for embedding in paraffin wax with routine protocols. A microtome was used to cut 4 m-thick sections that were subsequently stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. The degree of inflammation was evaluated on a scale from 0 to 5 by three different pathologists that had been blinded to the treatments. The scale was defined as follows: 0 = no inflammation, 1 = mild inflammation, 2 = mild/moderate inflammation, 3 = moderate inflammation, 4 = moderate/severe inflammation, and 5 = severe inflammation.
Black Pepper Is An Efficient Analgesic And Improves Function
In addition to being an effective anti-inflammatory agent, piperine also shows analgesic properties.
An animal study was conducted to assess the effects of piperine on pain sensation. It was observed that piperine exhibited analgesic effects that could be mediated by opioid receptor pathways.
In another study, it was determined that piperine at high doses exhibited significant analgesic effects after 60 minutes. These effects increased slightly in a dose dependent manner.
What does this mean? Black pepper contains piperine which can potentially be used as potent analgesic agent in managing arthritic pain. These reduce pain by blocking various pain receptors and decreasing pain hypersensitivity in a dose dependent fashion.
Recommended Reading: What’s The Best Supplement For Arthritis
How To Use Turmeric For Ra
Turmeric is widely available as a powder as well as in whole root form. The powder or sliced root can make a good addition to a variety of meals, including curries, soups, and rice dishes.
Many people use ground or grated turmeric to brew herbal tea. A variety of prepackaged turmeric tea bags are also available.
Although people can add turmeric to their diet in these ways, much of the research around the anti-arthritic effect of the spice focuses specifically on curcumin, which is available in dietary supplement form.
There are many curcumin supplements on the market, which tend to come in the form of capsules or tablets. Manufacturers may also add other ingredients, such as black pepper, to make the compound easier for the body to use.
The recommended dosage for curcumin supplements can vary. The authors of a 2016 systematic review recommend taking 1,000 mg of curcumin each day to treat the symptoms of arthritis. Highly bioavailable forms of curcumin may be effective at lower dosages.
However, it is important to purchase dietary supplements from reputable manufacturers and to follow their guidance on what constitutes a safe and appropriate dosage.
It is also advisable for people to speak with their doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin to relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. It is vital not to stop or replace any other treatments without consulting a doctor first.
experience symptoms that include rashes, nausea, and diarrhea.
What Is Black Pepper
Black pepper is a flowering vine belonging to the family Piperaceae, usually dried to form a black colored spice.
It is native to South India and Vietnam.
It has various uses as a spice and in traditional medicine. It is the worlds most traded spice. It is used as a seasoning for foods and often paired with salt.
It provides the body with various active elements such as capsaicin which help in the management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
It is available in powdered and peppercorn form. Its active component capsaicin is also available in the form of creams for topical application.
It has been seen that black pepper proves to be very beneficial in arthritis as it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory properties.
The means by which it helps in the management of arthritis would be discussed in the next section.
Also Check: What Is Arthritis Pain Like
How To Take Black Pepper Essential Oil Dosage
To apply topically mix black pepper oil with a carrier oil and gently massage on the painful joints.
Black pepper essential oil can also be mixed with other essential oils and applied on the skin.
5-20 mg piperine can be taken orally per day to improve the effect of curcumin and diclofenac.
Black pepper oil can be placed on a diffuser and the vapour can be inhaled to relieve stress and anxiety.
Black Pepper Essential Oil Precautions
Black pepper essential oil can be a strong irritant in high doses, so dilution with a carrier oil is recommended for topical use. Its smart to try a patch test before applying black pepper oil to a larger area of your body. Start by applying a drop to your wrist or foot to make sure you wont have an adverse reaction.
Always read product instructions carefully before using black pepper oil internally and as I mentioned earlier, always look for the highest quality oil.
If you are currently taking any medications or have any ongoing health issues, speak with your doctor before using black pepper essential oil. Also speak with your doctor first before using this oil topically or internally if you are pregnant or nursing.
Also Check: What Is The Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Effect Of Capsaicin On Arthritis
Pain characterizes all forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Capsaicin in cayenne has potent pain-relieving effects. When applied topically in cream or ointment form, capsaicin initially causes a brief stinging sensation, which stimulates the pain nerves. It then gradually reduces substance P, a chemical necessary for nerves to send pain signals.
- Pain characterizes all forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
- It then gradually reduces substance P, a chemical necessary for nerves to send pain signals.
Spices That Can Help Reduce Arthritis Pain
If you are a person that lives by the motto When life gives you lemons, make lemonade then this article is for you. It is especially for you if you enjoy cooking or eating tasty foods, enjoy the smell of pungent spices drifting through your home, and are willing to try out different styles of cuisine. Get ready for a quick world tour that introduces spices that can help reduce arthritis pain!
It is scientifically proven that a persons diet has a dramatic effect on many aspects of health. Like many other diseases and conditions, the pain associated with arthritis can be influenced by what you eat. Numerous spices have been recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for centuries. Lets take a look at how adding a little spice to your life can also help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation.
Have you ever eaten Indian food? If so, chances are good that you have already had garam masala. This aromatic spice blend varies by region and family. Sometimes the exact blend is a closely held family secret. In general garam masala will include: cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, grated nutmeg, and saffron. It can be used in all kinds of dishes from appetizers to main dishes and even desserts.
Lets talk about the specific health benefits that some of these spices offer people with arthritis pain.
You May Like: How To Control Psoriatic Arthritis