Evidence supporting the use of: Capsicum
For the body system: Gums

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Capsicum (commonly known as cayenne pepper or chili pepper) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for oral health, including supporting the gums. Historically, practitioners such as herbalists and those practicing traditional medicine systems have used capsicum in topical preparations, often as part of mouth rinses or pastes, to stimulate blood flow and promote tissue healing. The warming and vasodilatory effects of capsaicin, the active compound in capsicum, are believed to increase circulation to the gums, which may support healing in cases of mild gingival irritation or gum disease. However, the direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of capsicum for gum health is limited. Most available studies focus on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in other contexts, such as neuropathic pain or arthritis, not specifically gum health. There is some in vitro evidence that capsaicin may have antimicrobial properties, which could theoretically benefit oral health, but clinical studies in humans are lacking. Therefore, while its use is grounded in tradition, robust scientific validation for capsicum’s role in supporting the gum body system remains insufficient.

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