Neuropathy: common spice beats drugs

One of the most used spices in your kitchen may hold the key to eliminate your neuropathy pain. You just need to use more of it.

Because a new study in Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis reveals that this drug is as effective as the most commonly used drugs but without the side effects.

Piperine is responsible for black pepper’s spicy kick.

Previous research has highlighted its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but scientists wanted to see if it could effectively relieve neuropathic pain.

Here’s how the study worked:

• Male mice were split into six groups, with the majority receiving a chemotherapy drug to induce neuropathic pain.

• Some neuropathic mice were given varying doses of piperine. Others received imipramine, a standard antidepressant used for pain. A control group received no treatment.

Pain Response Tests:

1. Thermal Hyperalgesia Test: Mice were placed on a hot surface to measure their reaction time (licking, lifting paws, or jumping).

2. Mechanical Allodynia Test: Thin threads were pressed against their paws to assess touch sensitivity.

The results were remarkable:

1. Less Pain Sensitivity: Mice treated with piperine showed significantly reduced sensitivity to heat and touch compared to untreated mice.

2. Dose Matters: Higher doses of piperine (25–50 mg/kg) worked better than lower doses.

3. Reduced Inflammation: Levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) dropped significantly.

4. Lower Oxidative Stress: Piperine boosted antioxidant enzyme activity while reducing oxidative stress.

Amazingly, piperine worked as effectively as imipramine, a commonly prescribed medication for neuropathic pain—offering a natural alternative with fewer potential side effects.

Add extra black pepper to your meals or buy Piperine supplements in any health food store.

But Piperine is only the beginning. If you want to reverse your neuropathy completely, you need to take a few more all-natural steps explained here…