The arrival of Fall signals the beginning of cold and flu season, which means the return of sniffles and coughs. Though catching colds is a common occurrence around this time of year, sinus inflammation, also known as rhinitis, can be uncomfortable, not to mention inconvenient. As a consequence, Americans spend millions of dollars trying to find ways to help alleviate or lessen the symptoms.

These remedies can be effective, but they often come with undesirable side effects that include drowsiness, trouble sleeping, hyperactivity, and even addiction. While allergens such as pollen and dust are a significant source of rhinitis, many cases of sinus inflammation can come from non-allergic sources, which include the weather, noxious chemicals, and perfumes. Because of this, scientists are always searching for safer ways to help address the problem, often looking to nature as a source for remedies.

With this in mind, researchers have found that chili peppers, the same ones used to spice up our food, can be used to lessen the severity of sinus inflammation that results from nasal irritants, which include allergens as well as non-allergic sources.

Researchers developed a nasal spray that contained Capsicum annum, which is derived from chili peppers and gives them their distinctive hot sensation. The active ingredient in Capsicum annum, capsaicin, is also used in topical ointments used to treat pain, and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In the study in question, published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, researchers looked at subjects who were suffering from non-allergic rhinitis for a period of two weeks. Symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis include nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and any pain stemming from this pressure.

The subjects were divided into two groups: one group was given a nasal spray that contained Capsicum annum, and the other group was given a placebo (control group). The scientists found that those individuals who were administered Capsicum nasal spray experienced faster relief from their nasal afflictions than the control group. On average, relief came within a minute of using the spray. Doctors determined that the spray was safe to use.

The results are important because they are the first controlled trial to determine that capsaicin can be used safely and effectively on a regular basis to help lessen the symptoms of rhinitis. Previous attempts to use capsaicin were hampered by the fact that the pepper derivative was too painful to use without anesthesia. Currently, there are not many effective therapies for non-allergic rhinitis.

It is important to note that any treatment for sinus inflammation should never be undertaken without your doctor's supervision. For more information about non-allergic rhinitis, visit the website for the Mayo Clinic.