You Wrote ---- >Sharen Rund Bloechl >Rest easy and tell that "gourmand" to blow it out. . . . - if "...eating >chiles has been known to aggravate arthritis." then, pray tell, why do many >of the the soothing arthritis creams contain capsicum? - I believe his/her >statement should have said "...eating chiles had been know to STOP/SOOTHE >the pain of arthritis." Perhaps he was referring to rheumatoid arthritis. This is an inflammatory/auto-immune disease that can flare-up following exposure to a number of things, including vegetables, spices, nuts, liquers, certain types of shellfish, etc., etc. It is true that topical applications of pepper creams and lotions will relieve joint pain in some arthritic conditions. (I speak from personal experience) However, this is usually osteoarthritis or traumatic arthritis, and not a systemic disease. -- Andie Paysinger & the PENDRAGON Basenjis,Teafer,Cheesy,Singer & Player asenji@earthlink.net So. Calif. USA "In the face of adversity, be patient, in the face of a basenji, be prudent, be canny, be on your guard!" http://home.earthlink.net/~asenji/