Red Pepper Flakes
Capsicum annuum
A Strong clinical evidenceMade by drying and crushing red chillies. Its capsaicin is used in effective nerve-pain creams; its effect in food is small.
Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim
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At a glance
Red pepper flakes are coarsely ground dried hot red peppers (Capsicum annuum); their heat comes from capsaicin. Capsaicin skin creams and patches are medicines backed by clinical trials for nerve pain and musculoskeletal pain. Capsaicin in food has only a very small effect on energy expenditure and appetite.
Updated: October 15, 2026
ℹ Compiled from standard pharmacognosy references and clinical literature summaries where no formal EMA monograph exists.
What is it used for?
C Laboratory / animal evidence
Laboratory / animal evidence: Based only on laboratory (in vitro) or animal studies; not clinically proven in humans.
How do we rate evidence levels? →In food, capsaicin may very slightly raise energy expenditure and fullness. [1]
A Strong clinical evidence
Strong clinical evidence: Supported by strong human clinical trials and well-established medicinal use monographs.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Capsaicin medicinal creams and patches are backed by clinical trials for nerve and musculoskeletal pain (not the flakes themselves). [1]
How is it used?
Food
Sprinkle on dishes, pizza, soups and salads.
Amount: In cooking
[1]Safety & interactions
- Do not rub pepper flakes on skin; use only pharmacy capsaicin products for pain.
- May worsen reflux, gastritis, ulcers and haemorrhoids.
- Avoid contact with eyes; wash your hands.
- Poorly stored product carries a mould toxin (aflatoxin) risk.
Drug interactions
No recorded interactions
Side effects
- Heartburn
- Burning in the mouth and anus
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Did you know?
Birds do not feel capsaicin's heat, which is why they spread chilli seeds. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Do chilli flakes speed up metabolism?
Capsaicin's effect is very small and not meaningful for weight loss.
Do chilli flakes help pain?
Not the flakes; pharmacy capsaicin creams are effective for nerve pain.
Is chilli bad for the stomach?
Moderate amounts are fine for healthy people; it may worsen reflux and gastritis.
Sources
- ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal ProductsESCOP · 2019
- Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy (16th Edition)Elsevier Health Sciences · 2009
Cite This Page
Red Pepper Flakes (Capsicum annuum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/red-pepper-flakes/
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