What Is Oleoresin Capsicum?

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 nitrogen to make it usable as a defense spray in a canister.

According to Wikipedia “Pepper spray, also known as OC spray, OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent (meaning it can cause teary eyes and a runny nose) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears.”

Pepper spray is widely recognized as the largest selling, most popular self defense product in the world. In the United States it is legal in all 50 states with a few cities and states having restrictions.

It makes the eyes swell up and inflames the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract; it causes temporary blindness and a great deal of pain.

It is used for protection against human assailants and animal attacks, specifically dogs and bears. Every law enforcement officer in the country carries

oleoresin capsicum on his utility belt as his first nonlethal protection tool. The U.S.P.S. issues defensive sprays to all of their letter carriers as their first line of defense against dog attacks.

For civilians, oleoresin capsicum is a favorite among both women and men because it is so effective, so inexpensive and so easy to use. It is over to 95% effective on average.

We carry a very extensive line of oleoresin capsicum products from several different manufacturers in all price ranges.