You might think that chili is just used as a spice or a condiment to enhance the flavour of cuisines and delicacies around the world but actually, an essential oil can also be derived from it! Chili seed essential oil is derived from the steam distillation of hot pepper seeds, producing a dark red colour and produces a spicy aroma.

It is probably one of the most rare and underrated essential oils out there in the market but fret not! This seemingly obscure essential oil is actually a great circulation booster and it can be used in a variety of ways to address a number of health problems!

Additionally, the oil is a unique addition to cosmetic products, soaps, perfumes, incense, candles and even used in aromatherapy! Read on to find out more about the uses of chili seed essential oil!

Health Uses of Chili Seed Essential Oil:

1. Promotes Hair Growth

Firstly, as abovementioned, chili seed essential oil is a great natural remedy to boost your circulation! It promotes blood flow to the vital areas of your body and this property thus makes it especially helpful for the healing of wounds and for hair growth! It reduces the prevalence of hair loss and tightens up your hair follicles to strengthen your hair.

Due to the presence of a chemical compound called capsaicin, chili seed essential oil can support hair growth since this compound emits antioxidant powers as well! In fact, a 2007 research study carried out by researchers from Japan found that the administration of capsaicin can potentially promote hair growth in mice and humans with alopecia. As such, it can lead to the promotion of hair growth.

How to Use it: Mix 2-3 drops of the chili seed essential oil with equal amounts of a carrier oil (such as coconut or jojoba oil) to ensure proper dilution of the oil before topical application onto the scalp. Gently massage the mixture onto your scalp for about 3-5 minutes and do this about 2-3 times weekly to stimulate hair growth.

2. Offers Pain Relief

Besides offering benefits to your skin and to your hair, chili seed oil is also an effective pain reliever agent. This is because chili oil contains capsaicin, which is a potent and effective analgesic, perfect for those who are suffering from muscle aches and stiff joints associated with rheumatism and arthritis. Since it stimulates blood flow as well, this also helps to relieve the pain because it induces an increased blood circulation to these affected areas.

Because it is a well-known analgesic, capsaicin is normally found in pain relief creams to relieve those who are suffering from joint and muscle pains. A 1991 study carried out by researchers from Ohio, USA illustrates the efficacy of capsaicin. Overall, 70 patients with osteoarthritis and 31 with rheumatoid arthritis received capsaicin or placebo for a period of 4 weeks. They were told to apply the capsaicin cream or placebo to their painful knees four times per day.

Over the period of 4 weeks, those who received capsaicin reported significantly reduced levels of pain, by 57% to be exact, than the ones who were treated with placebo.

Chili seed essential oil is not only for those suffering from rheumatism or arthritis, but it can also be used for those suffering from inflamed muscles and tendons brought about by a vigorous session of exercise for example, like tendonitis. Additionally, it can be used to help treat bursitis.

How to Use it: You can dilute chili seed essential oil with a carrier oil and proceed to massage directly onto the affected areas for some pain relief and numbing effect. Alternatively, you can make a homemade pain relief cream by combining a few drops of chili seed oil with a cream base, like beeswax.

3. Helps to Heal Wounds and Insect Bites

Chili seed essential oil can also help to speed up the recovery of wounds and insect bites since it promotes blood circulation to the affected areas. Thus, it serves as an effective disinfectant and antiseptic agent, as it provides therapeutic properties to facilitate healing of wounds and insect bites naturally. As such, chili seed essential oil can be a great addition to your first aid kits!

How to Use it: Dilute the chili seed oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and gently apply it onto the affected areas. However, be careful to avoid open wounds.

Other uses of chili seed essential oil includes being able to relieve itching and inflammatory conditions, boost the body’s immune system as it keeps your body healthy and serves as a natural headache remedy for migraines.

Safety Precautions:

• Do not ingest chili seed essential oil.

• Be sure to dilute the chili seed oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio as it is a highly concentrated oil that is strong and potent.

• Chili seed essential oil can induce strong reactions and scalp/skin irritation in certain people as it might be too hot or spicy. If the oil feels stingy or discomforting after dilution with a carrier oil and application onto the skin, please discontinue use immediately.

• The oil should not be used in areas where there is sensitive skin.

• It is not advisable to use chili seed oil, even in its diluted forms excessively. Use only about 2-3 times per week and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use.

References:

Harada N, et al., “Administration of capsaicin and isoflavone promotes hair growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor-l production in mice and in humans with alopecia”, Growth Hormone and IGF Research (2007); 17(5)

Deal CL, et al., “Treatment of arthritis with topical capsaicin: a double-blind trial”, Clinical Therapeutics (1991); 13(3)