Q. Can you comment on the efficacy and safety of nasal capsaicin (Sinus Buster, Sinol-M) for rhinitis, sinusitis or sinus headache?
A. Capsaicin is the hot substance that gives chili peppers their kick. Even in dilute concentrations, it can sting for quite a while. This seems to deplete a natural chemical in the body called substance P, which is critical for the perception of pain.
Although capsaicin is used in liniments or rubs for sore muscles and joints, it is less common in nasal sprays. Italian researchers found that it could be useful for reducing runny nose (rhinitis) symptoms (Acta Oto-Laryngologica, April 2009).
It has also been tested for relieving migraine or cluster headaches and seems to be modestly effective (Archives of Neurology, June 2002). We would like to see bigger and better studies of capsaicin nasal sprays before we endorse them for either sinus problems or headaches.
