It’s spread around by birds, used to control riots, has caused the disqualification of Olympic animals, and has been known to have similar effects when consumed in food as skydiving.

What exactly, then, is this magical ingredient that Castiva has turned into a warming arthritis relief cream?

As you might know, capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that can be used as a warming agent on human skin. Today, through Castiva, capsaicin is combined with a castor oil base to form a safe, effective cream that provides muscle and joint relief for arthritis patients. Castiva’s unique technology allows the capsaicin cream to get deep down into the skin, providing real, fast-acting relief from arthritis pain.

It’s entirely safe, all-natural and effective. But that doesn’t mean it’s without a strange and interesting history. Its uses in history have included arthritis pain relief and more. Here’s a little bit more to the story:

• The capsaicin compound was first isolated in crystalline form by a scientist in 1816, and a team produced it synthetically in 1930. Years later, Castiva engineered a way to use capsaicin to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort. (combined the two substances and, well, you know by now that result. -this sounds like we are using crystalline and synthetic capsaicin so suggest we delete and hammer on out benefit message)
• The seeds of Capsicum plants like chili pepper are predominantly dispersed by birds, which just happen to be immune to the “spicy” irritant that effects human skin.
• As you know, capsaicin is often used to spice up foods. But the “spice” doesn’t stop there — the substance has been known to produce euphoric effects in people. Some attribute this to an increase in endorphins brought on by the “pain” of the spiciness (okay—not quite as extreme as those produced by jumping out of an airplane.)
• Capsaicin is the primary active ingredient in pepper spray, which has been the primary active ingredient in busting up post-Super Bowl riots for years. This same irritant is what promotes the positive benefits of Castiva – in the same way if you get that pepper in your eye it irritates, when applied as part of the Castiva formula it works to provide temporary relief from arthritis pain.
• Four horses competing in jumping events tested positive for the substance during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Capsaicin is banned in equestrian sports because of some of the very same qualities that make it effective in arthritis relief.