What is oleoresin capsicum? It is a funny sounding name; actually two words that comprise the essence of pepper spray. The two words are; oleoresin which means an oil holding resin in solution, and capsaicin which is the active ingredient in peppers that makes them hot. Capsaicin is the major ingredient in creams and lotions “commonly marketed to relieve muscle and joint pain.” To rephrase it, oleoresin capsicum is the resin of one of the hottest peppers in the world, the cayenne-combined with water, glycol and a propellant such as...