Does Marigold Oil Ease the Pain From Shingles?

Shingles is a painful skin disease marked by a red blistering rash and sensitivity to touch. It is caused by the same virus responsible for chicken pox, so if you are among the 90 percent of Americans who have suffered from this childhood affliction, you are at risk for developing shingles. (See References.) Marigold oil, also referred to as calendula oil, has shown promise for alleviating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication of shingles characterized by nerve damage and lingering pain long after the rash has healed.

History

• Calendula officinalis, commonly known as pot marigold, is a flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region. Europeans have eaten it in their soups, stews and cheeses and used the oil as a medicine and topical agent since the 1100s. During the U.S. Civil War, medics applied marigold oil to wounds inflicted on the battlefield. In addition to being valued for its healing properties, the marigold flower served as a symbol of everlasting love in ancient Europe.

The Facts

• Few scientific studies have tested marigold oil specifically for the treatment of shingles. While you can find testimonials exhorting the benefits of the oil, be mindful that it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an actual cure. New research is, however, showing promise regarding the healing benefits of marigold. In a May 2009 study from the School of Pharmacology at the University of Milan, researchers found that calendula officinalis extract was effective in improving the antioxidant network in low concentrations. This implies that marigold oil holds promise for reducing damage from free radicals and, thus, speeding cell repair. (See References.)

Considerations

• Alternative treatments such as marigold may provide relief from the discomfort of shingles, but see your physician within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms if you suspect you have been stricken with the disease. For most people, the pain lessens as the rash heals, generally within 30 days. Some, however, develop serious complications such as bacterial skin infections, muscle weakness, facial paralysis, scarring and PHN. (See References.)

Warnings

• A final report by PubMed, a service of the United States National Library of Medicine, stated that calendula officinalis extract was found to be "relatively nontoxic." They did, however, note that minor skin and eye irritation were present in some studies. Further, they concluded that additional research is needed to assess the impact of marigold oil on ultraviolet absorption, inhalation toxicity and potential pathology or illness in organ systems associated with the skin. (See References.)

Significance

• About 1 million Americans get shingles per year, with older people being at a significantly higher risk. In fact, half of all reported cases occur in people 60 or older. (See References.) If you are one of the many people looking for relief from the painful effects of shingles and are interested in giving marigold oil a try, visit Shinglespainreliefforpain.com or Herbalextractsplus.com/marigold.cfm.