[toc]Shingles is the disease affecting the nerves of the body and causing its inflammation. It is a type of viral infection and is caused by the zoster virus. Person infected with Shingles often experience a tingling sensation in the affected area, pain, rashes and sometimes blisters. Shingles usually lasts for about 15 days to one month. There is no specific treatment for Shingles.
However, it is mostly treated with a combination of pain killers and rash soothing ointments. Shingles is mostly observed in elderly people, however, it can also occur after a bout of chicken pox. People with weakened immune system are more susceptible to Shingles.Below mentioned are some beneficial herbal remedies for treating Shingles and its related symptoms.
Best Herbal Remedies For Shingles
Echinacea
Echinacea is a very effective and powerful herbal remedy used for curing Shingles and its related symptoms. Echinacea is rich in anti-viral properties, which makes it very effective in fighting against virus responsible for causing Shingles. It also helps in boosting the immune system of the body, thus reducing the incidence of Shingle outbreaks in the body. Echinacea is also very effective in reducing the inflammation of the nerve endings, thereby reducing Shingles pain.
Echinacea is also renowned for its anti-bacterial properties, which prevent the bacteria from infecting the blisters caused by Shingles, thereby preventing further complications. Echinacea can be easily obtained from the market and applied in form of extract, herbal compress, poultice etc. Echinacea can also be brewed into herbal tea and used as skin wash. It can also be consumed internally in form of capsules, dried root powder, tincture, tablets etc., for providing relief against Shingles pain and itching.
Ravensara
The oil of Ravensara is one of the most effective herbal remedies available for Shingles. Ravensara helps in fighting against the viral infections which are responsible for causing Shingles. It also helps in reducing inflammation in the body and boosts the overall immunity of the body. This enables the body to fight against various disease-causing infections responsible for Shingles.
The leaves of Ravensara are rich in medicinal properties and are distilled to obtain oil for treating Shingles. This essential oil is applied topically on the area affected by Shingles and has proven to be very effective. It is often mixed with other base carrier oil and then used for treating Shingles.
Passion Flower
Passion Flower has been used effectively as an herbal remedy to treat Shingles. Passion Flower helps in curing the nerve pain and relaxes the tensed muscles of the body. It also has sedative properties and helps the person to calm down and fall asleep.
It also helps in fighting against the viral infection in the body which is mainly responsible for causing Shingles. Passion flower can be applied on the area affected by Shingles in form of extract, ointment, creams, salves etc. It can also be brewed into herbal tea and used as skin wash.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper has also been used effectively since centuries to treat the problem of Shingles. Cayenne pepper is rich in chemical components called Salicylates, which help in reducing the nerve pain caused by Shingles. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties, which help in fighting against infections responsible for Shingles. It is also very effective in increasing the blood circulation in the body, thereby helping in faster removal of toxins released by Shingles virus.
Cayenne pepper is also very effective in removing itching of the skin caused due to Shingles and can be easily consumed by addition to daily cooked food. It can also be used for applying topically to Shingles affected area in form of herbal oil, ointments, lotion etc. Cayenne pepper is also available in form of capsules, extract, tonic, tincture etc., for internal consumption.
Geranium
Geranium is a time-tested herbal remedy for treating Shingles and its associated symptoms. The leaves of Geranium is rich in medicinal properties and is used to treat nerve pain caused during Shingles breakout in the body. Geranium is also used to cure a variety of disease-causing infections in the body.It also helps the nerves to relax and provides a soothing and cooling effect to the nerves in case of Shingles.
Geranium essential oil can be easily applied on the skin to provide immediate relief from Shingles pain. It can also be used as massage oil and added to bath water for maximum benefits.
Tamanu
Tamanu oil is yet another very effective herbal remedy used for treating symptoms of Shingles. Tamanu oil helps in fighting against the infections responsible for Shingles in the body and also helps in reducing inflammation caused due to it.
Tamanu oil helps in calming the nerves and relieves nerve pain caused by Shingles. It is also very skin friendly and prevents it from becoming itchy and dry. Tamanu oil is obtained from the seeds of Tamanu and can be applied topically to help relief Shingles pain.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of the most sought after herbal remedy for treating Shingles. Castor oil has analgesic properties and is used to cure chronic nerve pain caused due to Shingles.
The oil of Castor is obtained from it’s seeds and is applied topically to provide relief from pain resulting from Shingles outbreak. Castor oil is also very effective in treating skin inflammations, itching etc. It is also very effective in protecting the body against viral infections responsible for Shingles.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is one of the very important herbal remedies available for Shingles. St. john’s wort is a very strong nervine and helps in calming the nerve pain associated with Shingles. It also helps in fighting against the Shingles viral infection and reduces the inflammation of the nerves caused by it.
St. John’s Wort helps in curing the blisters formed on the skin due to Shingles breakout and promotes healing of the damages skin tissues. St. John’s Wort can be applied topically on the Shingles affected area in form of essential oil, extract, creams, lotions etc. It can also be brewed into herbal tea and used as skin wash, herbal compress etc.
