Evidence supporting the use of: Capsaicin
For the health condition: Canker Sores
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, has been investigated for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation in various conditions, including canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Several small clinical trials and observational studies have explored its topical use for this purpose. Capsaicin appears to act by desensitizing sensory neurons and depleting substance P, a neuropeptide associated with pain transmission. A few studies from the 1990s and early 2000s reported that topical applications of capsaicin-containing preparations (such as rinses or gels) could decrease the pain intensity of canker sores, though not necessarily the healing time. The evidence is limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses, and capsaicin can cause significant burning or irritation upon application, which may deter some patients from its use.
Despite these limitations, capsaicin is sometimes recommended as a short-term pain relief option for aphthous ulcers, particularly when other treatments are unavailable or not tolerated. Major clinical guidelines do not strongly endorse its use due to the limited and low-quality evidence. Thus, while there is scientific investigation supporting capsaicin's use for canker sore pain reduction, the evidence is not robust, and it is considered a secondary or adjunctive option rather than a standard therapy.
Other ingredients used for Canker Sores
AcaciaAcemannan
Achyranthes
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Aloe vera
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Ardisia
Arisaema
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
avens
bacteria
bai ji
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bee propolis
bermuda grass
betel
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black galingale
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
bloodroot
blue flag
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borneol
boxthorne
buckthorn
bасора
cajuput
Calendula
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
carvacrol
Celosia
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese raisintree
chlorophyllin
chrysophanics
Cistus
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
Collinsonia
commiphora
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
corktree
cowherb
curcumin
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
Dianthus
divi-divi
dog rose
dragonhead
Eclipta
Embelia
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
eugenol
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
fang-feng
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
folate
frankincense
Fuchsia
Galangal
gallotannin
giant blazingstar
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Glycolic acid
Gnaphalium
Guava
Guazuma ulmifolia
heal-all
Helicteres isora
henna
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian kinotree
Indian nightshade
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
labrador tea
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
lime
Litsea
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
manzanita
marigold
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Matico
Melia
Menthol oil
Milk
Mineral ascorbate
Momordica
Morinda
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nardostachys
Neem tree
Nimbidin
nut grass
Nutmeg
Oak
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
Pansit-pansitan
papaya
Papayotin
Paris polyphylla
parsley
Patrinia
paw paw
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper
Peppermint
Petiveria
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Portulaca
Premna
Propolis
Prunus
Pyrrosia
Quisqualis
resin
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
rose
Rubus
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinapis arvensis
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smartweed
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spilanthes
spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tansy
Terpenoids
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Trichosanthes
Triphala
typhonium
Varuna
Viola
Violet
vitamin B12
vitamin C
Water Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by capsaicin
Abdominal PainAppetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Backache
Body Building
Bronchitis
Burning Feet or Hands
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation (poor)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fat Metabolism (poor)
