Holistic Help for Shingles

Caused by the same virus that results in chickenpox, shingles is far more painful. The virus moves through nerve fibers and causes vesicles (small blisters). So, when looking for holistic help for shingles, identifying and treating it quickly is vital to relieving pain and clearing it up. Many times, the symptoms will guide you in finding the right treatment.

Simple Natural Remedies

• To soothe blisters that are painful and itchy, simply apply cold compresses or ice packs. Dip a wash rag is water that is ice cold, and place on the rash. Replace the cold compress when it gets warm. If this remedy doesn't work for you, then try calamine lotion to soothe and cool the skin, as well as stop the itching.

Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy uses essential oils to heal the body. Essential oils can provide anti-viral benefits and help to shrink the blisters. For the treatment of shingles, use two or three of the oils of lavender, chamomile, Eucalyptus, or tea tree. Either apply directly on the lesions, or put 10 drops of these oils in your bath filled with warm water and immerse in it for 15 minutes.

St. John's Wort

• This herb contains hypericum, which helps to reduce inflammation associated with shingles. Use the oil of this herb topically; apply to shingle lesions and allow the oil to infiltrate the skin and alleviate swelling. Use the extract where desired to calm, soothe and warm the skin.

Homeopathic Treatments

• Rhus tox (Rhus toxicodendron) is useful for painful and itchy blisters that are relieved by warmth. Also, if you find the pain gets worse in the evenings and moving gives you relief; these are all signs that Rhus tox is the right treatment for you.

  Try arsenicum album to alleviate burning and red lesions. Also, if warmth brings relief and the pain gets worse at night, then arsenicum would be a good match.

  Use mezereum if you're an older person or middle-aged with shingles that causes severe pain. Other indications for this remedy include skin that itches and burns, and brown scabs. Also, as shingles travels along the nerves, there can be intense pains following recovery, and mezereum also helps to ease this pain.

  Take ranunculus or apis in a case where touch, eating or making any movement aggravates itching or nerve pain, or if you have stinging pain, swelling, and cold helps but heat irritates the shingles.

  Give Lachesis a try if shingles affects the left side of your body, and if there is swelling that is eased by cold and exacerbated by warmth.

  Ranunculus Bulbosus is beneficial for shingles on your chest and back, especially if itching and severe burning gets worse when you touch the skin, eat or move. Take a dose of 6C no more than four times each day.

Homeopathic dosage

• Find a homeopathic remedy that best fits your symptoms, and start with a lower potency dosage, ranging from 6X to 30C. For higher potenys, see a trained homeopath for further guidance.

Caution

• For all of these treatments, consult a naturopathic practitioner before selecting a medication and deciding on a dose. Typically, you'll see some relief in a few days; if not, check with your regular doctor or homeopathic practitioner about a change in treatment. Also, be aware that natural medicines can interact with other supplements, over-the-counter and prescription drugs.