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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Licorice and Hot Pepper
        
(Message started by: Zeitgeist on Apr 10^th, 2007, 4:05pm)

Title: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by Zeitgeist on Apr 10^th, 2007, 4:05pm

Hi!

Inspired from the wonderful The Cluster Headache Book (http://med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage), I consumed 500 gram Panda (because it contains real licorice root (http://med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Licorice) and tastes well. I also ate a teaspoon of piri piri pepper (because of the capsaicin (http://med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Capsaicin)). I had it in three gel capsules.

I'm 5 weeks into my cycle, and it's been unusual both in attack frequency and strength, so I've become kind of desperate after 35 non-stop cluster days. Zomig and Imitrex has been my remedies.

The first night of licorice and hot pepper, I got two attacks. But, even if they were full and complete, they were not strong. Much like a very detailed small model of a car compared to a real one. I was pain free the rest of the day, no shadows either. The second night, I woke once, as Mr. Cluster apparantly was in need of my attention, but shortly thereafter I fell in sleep. The will of my nemesis simply wasn't strong enough ;) No shadows upon awakening, and another pain free day.

Now - I can't be sure if this development is caused by my consumption, or if it simply is the beginning of the end of the cycle, but I'll stay on this diet for some days. So far, I believe the "cure" is the cause, as the change is too sudden and too dramatic to be the end of the cycle. It's ususally a three week process.

According to The Cluster Headache Book, licorice has a prednisone-like effect and capsaicin will drain the dreaded Substance P.

Does anybody else have good experience with licorice and/or hot pepper?

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by E-Double on Apr 10^th, 2007, 4:11pm

No experience but glad you are finding relief!

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by ClusterChuck on Apr 10^th, 2007, 6:23pm

I have never heard of that one, but if it works, GREAT!!

NOTE TO SELF: Get some of this stuff!

Chuck

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by George_J on Apr 10^th, 2007, 7:09pm

Can't speak for licorice--but based on information from the same source, I regularly take 1000 mg. calcium supplements, 250 mg. magnesium supplements, (can't seem to take more without unfortunate digestive consequences) and melatonin supplements when in cycle. This regimen has, I believe, helped to reduce the frequency and intensity of my hits while in cycle, and the melatonin has certainly reduced the number of nighttime hits.

Good resource, and I'm glad you found it.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by Zeitgeist on Apr 10^th, 2007, 7:57pm

I'm having an attack right now, 30 minutes into it.. (it's 1:53 AM i Norway). It's the same, the "architecture" of the attack is complete, but the pain level is very low. Eye is not red, and not dripping.

I will buy more Panda (http://www.panda.fi/ )tomorrow, for sure ;-)

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by ivanov on Apr 11^th, 2007, 2:50am

Glad this is helping you but a warning bell went off in my head when I read about the licorice. Had a relative end up in the ER because they were comsuming large amounts of the stuff.
Blood pressure skyrocketed. So be careful.

Dan

http://www.drugs.com/MTM/licorice.html

Title: Re: Licorice and Hot Pepper
Post by sandie99 on Apr 11^th, 2007, 10:53am

When I read that you have tried Panda's licorice, I begun to laugh! Not to offend you, but because I'm from Finland and Panda is a Finnish brand. And to add some more to the story: Panda's home city is Jyväskylä - my now home city. :)

I must say that if licorice DOES help, then then I'm off to my local supermarket and stock up Panda's licorice and quick! If that would be my remedy, too, them my mum - a licorice fan - would have chuckles for life... ;;D

I did eat licorice regularly for a while when I was living in London, because my other ch meds were dragging my BP down and I needed to get it up - which licorice goes. So too much of licorice can be bad if high BP is an issue.

Lots of PF days,
Sanna