Find an ideal herpes natural remedy here…

Herpes is a scary-sounding illness, but your really shouldn’t worry too much – and a natural remedy for herpes can really help…

Understanding Herpes

• Herpes is an infectious virus. It is known as a retro-virus – which means that once you have caught it, it will never go away…
• Don’t panic! This is not actually as bad as it sounds. For much of the time the herpes virus is dormant in the body, and outbreaks will happen only rarely, particularly when the body is somehow stressed or run down.
• Natural remedies for herpes will be able to help though…

What is Herpes?

• • Herpes is a family of viruses which cause blisters on various parts of the body.
  • The most common places to get a herpes outbreak are:
    • the lips – called cold sores
    • the genital area and anus – called genital herpes
    • elsewhere on the face and mouth
    • the eyes
    • in the brain (although this is very rare)
  • The herpes virus is also responsible for shingles in adults.
  • Herpes blisters are small, painful and itchy. You might feel a tingling in the area, just before the blisters emerge.

• The blisters burst after a few days, to a week, leaving ulcers which may take a further couple of weeks to heal.
• As well as the blisters, herpes can make you feel quite ill:
  • feverish
  • swollen lymph glands
  • aching muscles
  • headaches
  • feeling generally unwell
• Your first herpes attack can quite often last a couple of weeks, but further attacks are usually much more short lived.
• In the time between the attacks, the virus is said to be dormant. You don’t feel any symptoms, but the virus lurks just below the surface, waiting.
• When the virus becomes active again, you will be very contagious. Sometimes you might not even be aware yourself that you have an outbreak. This does mean if you ever suffer from genital or anal herpes, you should be careful to use a condom when having sex.
• You can treat the symptoms when they do occur with a herpes natural remedy. Natural remedies for herpes can also help to avoid further outbreaks.

What Triggers an Outbreak of Herpes?

• Herpes is highly infectious, so you will have caught your first attack of herpes or coldsores from someone else.
• Aside from using condoms, and avoiding contact with active blisters and sores, there may be little you can do about this.
• There is something you can do though, about further attacks. When you are in perfect health, you tend not to be troubled by further outbreaks.
• Outbreaks of herpes and cold sores are often caused by:
  • stress
  • overexposure to sunlight
  • illness
  • a weakened immune system
  • poor diet
  • hormonal changes
  • too much sex! (for genital herpes)
• Natural remedies for herpes can mean that you are less likely to succumb to an infection, if exposed to one of these ‘stressors’ – or, you can take a natural remedy for herpes, to treat the painful blisters, once they appear.

Problems with Conventional Treatments for Herpes

• There are, of course, conventional treatments you can take for herpes, but like most conventional medications, these do tend to have unpleasant side effects.
• Some people find that conventional treatments for herpes and cold-sores do tend to lose their effectiveness over time, too.
• Commonly used herpes and cold sore treatments:
• Anti viral medication: Aciclovir
  Valaciclovir

• These come as a tablet to be taken by mouth, or as a cream.
• Side effects of the cream:
  • The cream is more likely to allow resistance to treatment to develop in the blisters, and become increasingly less effective
• Side effects of the tablet:
  • stomach upset, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • confusion
  • sweating
  • loss of appetite
• Painkillers
  • See why painkillers don’t work.
  • Side effects may include:
    • • damage to liver or kidneys

    damage to stomach lining

    • • headache

    diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

• Topical Anasthetics (Creams and Ointments)
  Lignocaine
  • May cause an allergic reaction

In contrast to these unpleasant side effects, natural remedies for herpes are safe, gentle and effective too.

You can take a herpes natural remedy to treat the pain and discomfort of the sores and blisters, or you can take a natural remedy for herpes, to treat the underlying virus and reduce the risk of an attack.

Diet and lifestyle can also help, and for many people, are the most effective natural remedies for herpes.

What works for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your herpes, shingles or cold-sores, to share? Tell us about your experiences…

Read about Lisa’s experiences with cold-sores, and how a natural cold-sore remedy helped

Always remember to consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Natural Remedies for Herpes – Diet and Lifestyle

Natural remedies for herpes – diet and lifestyle…

Did you know that diet and lifestyle can be your very best natural remedies for herpes or a natural cold sore remedy?

Find out which foods to eat, and which to avoid … and why relaxing and de-stressing makes a fab herpes and cold sore remedy!

For many, herpes can be a lifelong battle against symptoms.

Herpes can certainly be very troubling, with sores and blisters erupting suddenly, whenever you are a little under the weather. Find out more about herpes – causes and conventional treatments.

Thankfully, natural remedies for herpes can be very effective, perhaps none more so than careful attention to diet and lifestyle.

Diet and lifestyle can be an effective herpes natural remedy:

• it helps to avoid any triggers for an outbreak
• it helps to keep your body as healthy as possible, to resist infection
• staying relaxed and avoiding stress avoids further outbreak

Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Diet Regarding Herpes

Diet is one of the main factors to consider in your search for natural remedies for herpes:

• • Avoid:
    • Foods containing the amino acid ‘arginine’, such as:
    • seeds
    • nuts, especially walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, peanuts
    • chocolate
    • excess refined carbohydrates
    • coffee
    • alcohol
    • tobacco
  • Eat:
    • A generally healthy, wholefood diet
    • Foods containing the amino acid ‘lysine’, such as:
    • fish
    • chicken and turkey
    • lamb
    • eggs
    • milk
    • potatoes
    • cheeses, especially ricotta or cottage cheeses
    • beans, especially kidney beans
    • beansprouts
    • wheatgerm
    • brewer’s yeast
    • garlic
• Supplements to your diet can also be an excellent natural remedy for herpes:
  • Lysine capsules: These should be taken long term, over a matter of months, to help to prevent further outbreaks. Try these L-Lysine 500 mg. capsules (International Shipping)
  • Zinc capsules (or a cream of zinc sulphate): These should be taken, or applied, at the very start of an outbreak (at the tingle) until a few days after your symptoms clear. Try these Zinc 50 mg capsules (International Shipping)

  Lifestyle

  In addition to your diet, there are other lifestyle factors which can help you to resist further outbreaks of the herpes virus.

  • Avoid too much sunlight (especially for cold-sores)
  • Get plenty of sleep and rest.
  • Avoid stress.
  • Learning to relax and avoid stress is the basis of many of the natural remedies for herpes. Stress can be one of the main triggers for an outbreak of herpes, so anything which allows you to relieve yourself of stress has got to be beneficial.

  Relax and De-Stress

  Some relaxation remedies which you may find helpful to try as a herpes natural remedy are:

  Relaxation Breathing Techniques
  Visualization
  Meditation and Yoga
  Acupuncture

  More tips to relax:

  Relaxation Breathing Techniques

  • • This involves using a series of breathing techniques and exercises which teach you how to control your breathing.
    • This, in turn, helps to relax your body, and thus your mind too.
    • I find this breathing exercise is very helpful for relaxation in any situation…Breathing Exercise
      Relax anytime, any place with the 7-11 Breathing Exercise

  Visualization

  • • Visualization, linked with hypnosis therapy can also help you to relax.
    • Imagining yourself in a beautiful, calm, soothing ‘happy place’ can help to reduce your levels of stress, and help you to feel relaxed. These (below) are all fantastic sessions that can make this very easy for you: A Warm Place
      Relaxation – A Warm Place The Island
      Relaxation – The Island Improve Visualization
      Improve Visualization
    • ’Seeing’ the pain in a visual form, and imagining it disintegrating is a technique that I have found very effective. Pain Relief
      Learn hypnosis for pain relief

  Meditation and Yoga

  • • Meditation really is one of the classic ways to relax and as such, can be a very effective herpes natural remedy.
    • Practicing meditation regularly can be one of the best ways to keep you on an even keel, unstressed and well relaxed.
    • This puts you in a much better position to deal with any stresses you encounter in your life, including physical stresses like the herpes virus, and will reduce your risk of further herpes outbreaks.
    • There are many forms of meditation – they aren’t all happy clappy hippy types…
    • Yoga is a physical form of meditation – and may be practiced regularly at any number of classes around the country.
    • Or, you could try this easy, self help meditation, ideal for first time (or even experienced) meditators…Guided Meditation
      Relaxation – Guided Meditation Also: Meditation Hypnosis
      Banish unwanted thoughts during meditation Yoga Nidra
      Enjoy a Yoga Nidra created by the language professionals

  Acupuncture

  • • Acupuncture can be very effective for all kinds of diseases – including being used as a natural remedy for herpes.
    • Acupuncture uses very fine needle points, to insert into special ‘acupoints’ in the body, relating to the location of the herpes outbreak.
    • The needles in the acupoints can help to block particular pain pathways to the brain.
    • You should see a qualified acupuncturist. You may need repeated sessions for the best results.

  Hopefully, a look at your diet and lifestyle can go a long way towards helping you to avoid further outbreaks of herpes.

  Diet and lifestyle are not the only natural remedies for herpes that you can try, though… Herbal remedies can also be very effective against herpes.

  These can help improve the body’s response to virus, or can help to treat the symptoms of the outbreak.

  Take a look at a herbal natural remedy for herpes

  More information about a natural cold sore remedy

  What works for you?

  Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your cold sores or herpes, to share? Tell us about your experiences…

  Read about how Lisa found a natural cold sore remedy…

  Have you got your free subscription to ‘Natural Healings’ yet? Receive your free, monthly, e-mail newsletter, full of my latest natural health remedies information, and holistic healing guidance, straight to your inbox.

Herbal Natural Remedy for Herpes

Herbal natural remedy for herpes… As you feel that familiar tingle of a herpes blister or cold sore, reach for a natural remedy for herpes.

Natural remedies for herpes are gentle, effective treatments, and won’t lose their effectiveness like some conventional treatments do … Find out more about the problems with conventional herpes treatments.

Herpes is a lifetime illness – and can have some very nasty symptoms:

• itching and tingling
• painful sores and blisters
• feverishness, and general un-wellness

Diet and lifestyle can be a very effective natural remedy for herpes, but for that little extra oomph in your treatment of herpes, you can also try herbal remedies.

Herbs used as a herpes natural remedy can be divided into 2 different categories:

• • Anti viral herbs
  • Topical herbs

Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Anti Viral Herbs

• Anti viral herbs can fight the virus from the inside out!
• These are usually taken orally, as capsules, or a tea, but some can be used topically (on the sores) too.
• They are usually taken at the first sign of an outbreak, at the tingle, and for up to several days after the symptoms subside.
• Some people may take longer courses of treatment, as a natural remedy for herpes, to try to prevent an outbreak.
• Echinacea, Lemon Balm, St John’s Wort, Licorice

Echinacea

• • Echinacea is very well known as a boost for the whole immune system, and as such can help to fight the viral infection that is herpes.
  • Take a high dose of capsules, or tincture – for example, up to 6 x 300mg capsules daily, while you feel the symptoms of an outbreak. Try these Echinacea Power capsules (International Shipping)

Lemon Balm

• • Lemon balm is an excellent anti viral herb, so it is a very effective natural remedy for herpes.
  • It really helps the sores to heal more quickly. Using a cream or ointment with lemon balm, topically, is also very beneficial. I recommend this Lemon Balm Cream 2 oz: K for topical use.
  • Lemon balm is a relaxing sedative herb, as well, so can help to soothe and calm any stress you are feeling, or help you to sleep if pain is keeping you awake.
  • Use a cream for topical use, or take capsules or tincture… I like these Nature’s Way Melissa-Lemon Balm – 100 caps capsules.
  • …Or make your own tea:
    • Use 1 teaspoon of dried leaf in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10 minutes
    • Strain and drink up to 3 times a day
  • You can use this Lemon Balm Leaf C/S Cert. Organic (Melissa officinalis) 1 lb: C loose leaf herb for tea making, or these easy Lemon Balm Herb Tea tea bags (International Shipping).

St John’s Wort

• • This is well known as an antidepressant, but it is a very effective anti viral herb and a traditional wound healer.
  • Take capsules, tincture or the tea to help effectively treat the virus. I like these St. John’s Wort capsules (International Shipping).
  • Make your own tea:
    • Use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10 minutes
    • Strain and drink up to 3 cups per day
    • You can use this St. John’s Wort Herb C/S (Hypericum perforatum) 1 lb: C dried loose herb to make a tea, or these convenient St. John’s Wort Tea tea bags (International Shipping).
  • You can also use the herb externally as a herpes natural remedy. Use topically, and apply to sores three times a day:
    • You can use the cooled tea as a wash or compress
    • You can use a tincture
    • You can use an infused oil, such as this St. John”s Wort Oil 1 oz: K for external use.
  • Caution:
    • May cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.
    • Do not take internally if you are taking oral contraceptives, antidepressants, L-dopa or melatonin.
    • May interact with drugs or alcohol.

Licorice

• • Licorice is one of the best antiviral herbs, and works really well as a natural remedy for herpes.
  • Take capsules, tincture or an ointment or cream containing licorice. I like these Nature’s Way Licorice Root – 100 caps capsules.
  • Make your own tea:
    • Use 1 teaspoon of dried root, in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 15 minutes
    • Strain and drink 1 cup per day
    • You can use this Frontier Natural Licorice Root – Cut and Sifted, 1 lbs dried root for making tea
    • If you prefer, you can use these convenient and very tasty Licorice Root Tea tea bags (International Shipping)
  • Caution:
    • Do not use internally for more than 6 weeks.
    • Do not use if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, diabetes.
    • Do not take if pregnant.
    • Do not take with diuretics or digitalis.

Topical Herbs

• These are applied topically, externally, as a natural remedy for herpes, to treat the sores and blisters of a herpes outbreak. Aromatherapy essential oils, Salt Water, Witch Hazel, Tea, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera

Aromatherapy essential oils

• • Use the following essential oils in a bath (just a few drops of each), or 3 drops of each in a little almond oil or olive oil, applied directly to the sores or tingle:
    • eucalyptus
    • geranium
    • thyme

    Bathing in Salt Water

• • Take a bath with a little salt added, to soothe and clear the infection.
  • Or bathe the affected area in salt water.

Witch Hazel

• • Apply a little witch hazel to the sores, to help to dry them up.
  • Caution: This may sting a little. Try this Witch Hazel Extract 4 fl oz: C

Tea

• • This is a really easy and effective natural remedy for herpes, as you can nearly always find an ordinary tea-bag at hand!
  • A black tea bag which has already been steeped in a little warm water can be cooled, and applied to the sores.

Vitamin E

• • A Vitamin E capsule can be opened up, and applied to the blisters. This helps the sores to heal, and soothes the itching.

Aloe Vera

• • Aloe vera gel applied onto the sores can greatly assist healing.

Try this gel for the skin: Skin Therapy 100% Aloe Vera Gel (International Shipping)

I hope that one, or more, of these herbal natural remedies for herpes will work for you. A herpes natural remedy will work best, of course, when combined with diet and lifestyle natural health remedies. This will give you the best chance of avoiding the triggers for a herpes outbreak in the first place.

If you are unlucky enough to suffer an attack, the herbal natural remedy for herpes can help.

Learn more about herpes, and the problems with conventional treatments in the main Understanding Herpes page.

Find out about a natural cold sore remedy

What works for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in treating your herpes or cold sores, to share? Tell us about your experiences…

Natural Cold Sore Remedy

Are you looking for a natural remedy for your cold sore?

Find natural remedies for herpes and cold sores that work to soothe the pain, and help to avoid further outbreaks…

How come that nasty, big cold sore always rears its ugly head just in time for that special night out, or a big date..?

Just a coincidence? Sadly…no!

• • Cold sores can be triggered by stress, so any time that you get a little bit stressed about that up-coming big occasion, out the cold sore pops! A natural cold sore remedy is able to help with the control of your cold sore outbreak.
  • Cold sores are caused by a form of the herpes virus.
  • This particular form of the herpes virus – ‘Herpes simplex’ – attacks the lips and other parts of the face, (it is also the same virus that causes genital herpes). Find out more about the herpes virus
• The virus is highly contagious, and is very easily passed from one person to another by touch. With cold sores, with usually happens in childhood.
• Once you have caught the virus, it will stay with you for life. Don’t worry! This is not nearly as serious as it might sound…
• For most of the time, the virus lies dormant, just below the surface of the skin. Then there are no symptoms until the virus is triggered once again.
• Things that might trigger the herpes virus:
  • stress
  • tiredness
  • illness
  • hormone changes – such as menstruation
  • exposure to too much sun
  • exposure to cold
• If you are lucky, and especially if you take care to avoid such triggers, it is possible to go for years without suffering another outbreak.
• The other good news is that there is much you can do to create your own effective natural cold sore remedy, with careful attention to your diet and lifestyle.

To find out:

• which foods trigger a cold sore attack
• which foods help you to avoid a cold sore attack
• the supplements you can add to your diet
• lifestyle factors you should practice, or avoid in your life

Always remember to consult your healthcare professional before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Precautions

• The danger with cold sores, over other forms of the herpes virus, is that it is so easy to pass on the infection to others, just in the course of everyday life, or for the infection to spread to other parts of the face.
• Take care:
  • Not to touch the infected areas when blisters are present.
  • Wash your hands well, if you accidentally touch the blisters, or after applying any ointments
  • Don’t allow other people to touch the blisters, for example, by kissing.
  • Don’t share flannels or towels
  • Don’t share cups or glasses

Hopefully, if you use your diet and lifestyle as your most effective natural cold sore remedy, your cold sores will stay hidden and dormant.

Unfortunately, throughout the whole of your life, there are bound to be times when the odd cold sore will erupt. On these occasions, a natural cold sore remedy can definitely be your best friend…

Natural Remedies for Cold Sores

When cold sores erupt, try applying the following to the blisters:

• • Lemon juice and water (in equal amounts)
  • Well-diluted essential oils, such as:
    • tea tree oil
    • eucalyptus
    • geranium
    • lavender
    • clove
• Other natural remedies for herpes can also help – either applied topically to the site of the blisters, or taken internally to fight the virus. A natural cold sore remedy can be very effective – and doesn’t lose it’s effectiveness, as conventional treatments, creams and ointments do tend to, after repeated applications.
• If cold sores do tend to crop up regularly in your life, you can soon learn to change all this… Pay a little attention to your diet and lifestyle, and be prepared with an easy natural cold sore remedy, or a herbal natural remedy for herpes. You will soon be able to approach that special occasion, or big date, without worrying about that ugly cold sore, lurking around the corner…
• What works for you? Do you have any tips and experiences in finding a natural cold sore remedy to share? Tell us about your experiences…Return to the main page about Natural Remedies for Herpes to find out more about causes, triggers and conventional treatments for herpes and cold sores.
  

  Natural Remedies for Shingles Understanding the Illness

Natural remedies for shingles…

Have you come down with shingles? Seek treatment early to prevent complications. Find out what the illness is all about. How natural remedies for shingles can help… Shingles is a very nasty illness. It can be very painful, and long lasting…

Shingles is connected to the herpes virus. It is also connected to the chicken pox. Yes, that (relatively) harmless childhood illness can rear its ugly head years later and cause a different, but connected, illness called Shingles.

About Shingles

• The more formal name for shingles is ‘Varicella-zoster’.
• What happens, is that after we have had the chicken pox virus (usually as children) the virus becomes inactive, but still present – called ‘dormant’, in the nerves.
• The virus stays dormant for years, and if you are lucky will never re-appear. Sometimes, though, the virus does re-activate, and this causes full-blown shingles to appear.
• Factors that may cause the virus to re-activate:
  • Contact with someone with the chicken pox virus
  • Stress
  • Weakening of the immune system, due to:
    • illness
    • medication
    • old age

Symptoms of Shingles

• Shingles starts with a tingling sensation, usually around the:
  • chest
  • back
  • middle
  • (often in one side only)
  • face
• The area then becomes very painful.
• You might feel feverish and generally unwell, and perhaps have a headache.
• After around 4-5 days, the blisters then appear. These are small, red and painful, crusting to yellow and leaving pitted scars within around 2-3 weeks.
• Unfortunately, for some shingles sufferers, this is not even the end of it! For some people, the pain continues long term, continuing for months, if not years…!
• The pain which is the real worry with shingles, is called ‘post-herpetic pain’, or ‘post-herpetic neuralgia’. Some alternative pain relief options can help you when pain is the big problem.
• Natural remedies for shingles can really help with soothing symptoms of the virus, and with helping the body to throw off the re-activated virus itself.
• You should consult your doctor promptly if:
  • Shingles affects the face, especially the forehead, or around the eyes
  • You already have a weakened immune system
  • You experience severe or prolonged pain
  • You are, or suspect you may be, pregnant
• In many cases, the anti-herpes drug, acyclovir, given at an early stage can stop further complications occurring. Never delay seeking treatment.
• Natural remedies for shingles can also help.

Always remember to consult your doctor before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Precautions

• If you suspect you have shingles, keep away from pregnant women.
• The blisters are contagious so always wash your hands well after touching them.
• Wear loose cotton clothing, to avoid irritating the blisters.
• Take cool baths, to relieve the pain of the rash.
• Don’t use talcum powder on the blisters
• Don’t use oily ointments, salves and creams on the blisters, until the crusts are loosened, and ready to fall off, or you may risk scars forming.
• Where possible, you should get an early diagnosis from your doctor, and start your treatment regime as early as possible. This can help stop your shingles developing into a lingering post-herpetic pain, and avoid further complications.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from an attack of shingles, some natural remedies for shingles could help.

Natural Remedies for Shingles – Herbal and Holistic Remedies

Find natural remedies for shingles here…

Suffering from shingles? Find natural remedies for shingles here – soothe the itch and pain of the blisters, fight the virus, tackle post-herpetic pain and neuralgia…

Shingles is a very nasty and troubling illness – striking usually when you are already down and under-the-weather in some way… Find out more about shingles as an illness…

Shingles can be very painful and even long lasting, so it is wise to do as much as possible, as early as possible, to catch the illness early on, and treat it as soon as you can. Drugs like acyclovir can be very useful, or natural remedies for shingles can be very effective at soothing the painful blisters, and fighting the virus.

Some of these natural remedies for shingles can help to soothe the pain and itching of the blistery rash, while others can help to fight the virus, on the surface of the skin, or can be taken internally.

• Basic Remedies and Pastes
• Aloe Vera
• Lemon Balm
• Licorice
• Mullein
• St John’s Wort
• Turmeric
• Cayenne
• Aromatherapy
• Homeopathy
• Acupuncture

Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Basic Remedies and Pastes

Sometimes, the best treatments are the most simple…

• • Ice packs and cold compresses can be very effective at soothing the pain of shingles blisters.
    • Soak a cloth in ice cold water
    • Apply to the rash (until it becomes warm)
  • Make a basic paste from:
    • cornflour and water, or
    • bicarbonate of soda and water
  • Use calamine lotion.

Return to the list of remedies

 

Aloe Vera

• • Aloe vera can be one of the best natural remedies for shingles blisters and rashes. Aloe vera gel is very soothing and cooling. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, which means it can help stop further infections developing.
  • Use a gel, or just scoop out the inside of the leaves.
  • You can also add any of the following herbs on this page to aloe vera gel, and apply to the blisters, for an even better remedy. Try this gel for the skin: Skin Therapy 100% Aloe Vera Gel (International Shipping)

Lemon Balm

• • Lemon balm is a fantastic anti-viral herb, and is thought to work especially well against the herpes virus.
  • Use fresh leaves wetted and applied to the blisters.
  • Make an infusion (tea):
    • Use 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10 minutes
    • Strain and drink up to 3 times a day
    • Or use cool as a cold compress.
    • You can use this Lemon Balm Leaf C/S Cert. Organic (Melissa officinalis) 1 lb: C dried herb for tea making, or these more convenient Lemon Balm Herb Tea tea bags (International Shipping)
  • Use a cream like this one (click below for more info…)Cream for topical use (Do not use until your blisters have crusted over and are dropping off):Lemon Balm Cream 2 oz: K
  • Lemon balm is also very relaxing, and is often used for insomnia, so if the pain from your shingles is keeping you awake, then Lemon balm could be your answer.

Licorice

• • Licorice is another of the anti-viral remedies for shingles. Again, like Lemon Balm, licorice is thought to be particularly effective against the herpes virus. It is also an anti-inflammatory.
  • Make an infusion (tea):
    • Use half a teaspoon of dried, chopped liquorice root in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10-15 minutes
    • Strain and drink up to 3 times a day
    • Or use cooled as a compress
    • You can use this Frontier Natural Licorice Root – Cut and Sifted, 1 lbs dried root for tea making, or handy Licorice Root Tea tea bags (International Shipping).
  • Caution:
    • Do not take internally for longer than 6 weeks
    • Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding
    • Do not take if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid, liver or kidney problems.

Mullein

• • Mullein can help to fight the herpes virus, and can help to soothe pain.
  • Make an infusion (tea):
    • Use 1 teaspoon of dried herb in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10 minutes
    • Strain and drink up to 4 cups per day
    • Use cool as a compress
    • You can use this Mullein Leaf C/S Cert. Organic (Verbascum thapsus) 1 lb: C to make your tea, or go for the easy option, with these Mullein Leaf Tea tea bags (International Shipping).

St John’s Wort

• • St John’s Wort is famous as an antidepressant, but its long traditional use has always been healing of the skin. It is also a very effective anti-viral herb. This makes one of the most useful natural remedies for shingles.
  • You can take capsules or tincture internally. I like these St. John’s Wort capsules (International Shipping)
  • You can also make an infusion (tea) to drink, or use as a compress:
    • Use 2 teaspoons of ‘flowering tops’, or..
    • 15 drops of tincture, or…
    • an opened capsule
    • in a cupful of hot water
    • Steep for 10 minutes and strain.
    • Use these St. John’s Wort Tea tea bags (International Shipping) instead.
  • Don’t use as a skin oil until the blisters have crusted over and started to drop off. You can try this St. John”s Wort Oil 1 oz: K.
  • Caution:
    • Can cause skin sensitivity to strong sunlight
    • Do not take internally if you are taking oral contraceptives, antidepressants, L-dopa, melatonin.
    • May interact with alcohol and certain drugs

Turmeric

• • Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce pain.
  • Take internally, as capsules or tincture. I recommend these Turmeric Power capsules (International Shipping).
  • Or, use a little of the turmeric spice added to an aloe vera gel to apply to the skin blisters
  • Also try a commercial skin cream such as this Vicco Turmeric Cream – 50 g cream – Do not use until your blisters have crusted over and are dropping off.
  • Caution: Do not take internally, if you have stomach problems, ulcers, gallstones or bile duct problems.

Cayenne

• • Cayenne is, potentially, one of the best natural remedies for shingles – but it isn’t for everyone!
  • Cayenne peppers contain a substance called ‘capsaicin’ which is an effective natural pain relief treatment.
  • Use a commercially bought cayenne/capsaicin cream, or add a little cayenne spice to an aloe vera gel. Try this Dr. Christopher’s Cayenne Ointment – 2 oz (Do not use until your blisters have crusted over and are dropping off).
  • Caution: Cayenne can cause a burning sensation for some people. This is not harmful, but can be painful – especially on already painful blisters! If you find this happens to you, try a cream with a lower percentage of capsaicin (or use less cayenne/add more aloe vera gel). You can build up your tolerance gradually.

Aromatherapy

• • Aromatherapy essential oils can be most effective natural remedies for shingles – but only if treatment is started as early as possible!
  • Try 3 drops of each of the following essential oils, in a cupful of cold water, and used as a skin wash, or cold compress:
    • geranium
    • thyme
    • sage

    Kalyx.com Complete Aromatherapy Oils & Supplies

Homeopathy

• • Homeopathic treatment can be effective if the illness is caught early enough. It is best to consult a qualified homeopath who can advise a treatment for your own personal circumstances.
  • Some commonly used homeopathic natural remedies for shingles:
    • Rhus tox.: For red, itching blisters
    • Apis mel: For burning and stinging
    • Mezereum: For pain and itching

Acupuncture

• • Acupuncture is a more useful treatment for the later stages of the shingles illness – the ‘post-herpetic pain’ or neuralgia – if you are unlucky enough to have developed this. This can appear after the blisters have cleared up.
  • Acupuncture uses fine needles in specific ‘acupoints’ in the body, to unblock energy channels, and to help block pain receptors.
  • Always see a qualified professional. More than one session may be required.

I hope that some of these natural remedies for shingles can really help to soothe the pain, heal the blisters and fight that nasty virus.

It is important to start your treatment of shingles as early as possible, to try to avoid lingering post-herpetic pain, and further complications.

If you are affected by lingering pain, this guide to alternative pain relief can help with further natural remedies for shingles.