Just recently a good friend of mine came down with shingles. Aww man, I feel so bad for her. It must be horrible, and I wish there was more I could do for her to ease her suffering, so it prompted me to look it up in my article list. Sure enough, I found it was one of my orphaned articles from the old Yahoo Contributor Network / Associated Content library. I’m going to pass is on to her and hopefully have enough ingredients to make her my relief spray. She’s at the doc’s now, and hopefully they’ll give her something to alleviate the horrible symptoms.
Anyway, here’s the article from 2009 in it’s entirety:
There are so many natural and holistic remedies for all types of maladies these days that it is difficult to weed through all the bad or mis-information strewn across the web. This series of articles, “Natural Holistic Remedies” will address only the tried and true remedies and natural therapies, either through personal experience or gathered from trusted sources. I’ve been studying these types of holistic cures and aids for over over 20 years and have discovered many new concepts as well as debunking some older (and some newer ones too).
General Shingles Information
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection of the nerve roots. Shingles affects the nerve endings in the skin and results in pain and a rash. Shingles affects 750,000 Americans annually. It can strike at any age but is most common in people older than 40.
Possible Causes of Shingles
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox When a person has chicken pox, it lives dormant in the body. If it becomes active, it results in a case of the shingles, not another bout of the chicken pox. Approximately 90 percent of people who have chicken pox are at risk of developing shingles. Stress, cancer, use of anti-cancer drugs, spinal cord injuries, the common cold and immune system problems can trigger shingles. People who have never contracted chicken pox have very little chance of developing shingles.
Possible Symptoms of Shingles
The first signs of shingles appear as three or four days of chills, fever, body aches and sometimes pain in the affected area. Then tiny blisters with red rims appear, along with extreme pain and sensitivity at the site. Other symptoms of shingles include fatigue, numbness, depression, tingling, shooting pains, swollen lymph nodes, headache and fever. This phase usually lasts one week to 10 days, when the blisters dry up and fall off. In most cases, shingles lasts a few weeks, but some people can experience pain for months.
Possible Lifestyle Changes for Shingles
There is no way to prevent shingles, but people can avoid getting chicken pox by being immunized with the vermicelli vaccine. People who have never had chicken pox should avoid contact with anyone who has the disease. Avoid contact with anyone with shingles because the fluid from the blisters is extremely contagious. Pregnant women, infants, children and anyone with immune deficiencies should not be in contact with anyone with chicken pox or shingles. Also, things like meditation, Yoga, Pilates, or any naturally calming practices will help keep shingles to a minimum as stress makes shingles worse. Try to keep stress and anxiety to a minimum, whatever works for you!
Personal Experience: Shingles “Natural Remedy” Skeptics
If you’ve ever had shingles before, you know the pain that can be associated with it. Both a cousin and a friend of mine came down with shingles and were both in serious enough pain to ask me for help. While one was very skeptic of “natural cures”, the other was right away willing to try my natural remedy. Needless to say, after making them my “Shingles Relief Spray” and advising them of some dietary adjustments, they are both believers and ask me for all kinds of natural cures and advice now.
Beneficial Dietary & Herbal Aids
- L-Lysine is important for healing and for fighting the virus that causes shingles.
- Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids aids in fighting the shingles virus.
- Vitamin B Complex is needed for nerve health and to counteract deficiencies.
- Zinc enhances immunity and protects against infection.
- Calcium and Magnesium for nerve function and healing.
- Garlic is excellent for building the immune system.
- SAMe aids in reducing pain and inflammation.
- Cayenne relieves pain and aids healing.
- Lemon Balm – This lemon scented herb helps the body fight viruses.
- Licorice – The licorice has virus-fighting ingredients that can inhibit the herpes simplex virus. It appears to interfere with the growth of the virus. It also fights inflammation and can be used instead of products containing cortisone without the side effects. Taken internally, it can be used as a tea and is often blended with other herbs for taste. Do not take for longer than 6 weeks at a time, and do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart disease.
- Alfalfa and Dandelion promotes healing.
- Baikal Skullcap – This is an herb that has been used since ancient times in China. It fights bacteria and infections, so it is helpful in treating shingles as well as many other conditions. Used topically, you can make a paste using the ground root mixed with water. Apply the paste to the affected areas as needed.
- Astragalus Root and Echinacea boosts immune function.
- Bi phaya yaw (Clinacanthus nutans)- an herb used in traditional Thai medicine, has been shown in clinical studies to shorten the time it takes to recover from shingles in some cases. It is applied in cream form.
- Olive leaf extract aids in fighting the virus of shingles. Eat plenty of foods that contain vitamin B6, including bananas, nuts, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
- A combination of oat straw, St. John’s wort, and skullcap helps to reduce stress and itching. Mix equal amounts of oat straw, St. John’s wort, and skullcap tinctures together, and take one teaspoon of this mixture four times daily.
Yellowstar Essentials All Natural Shingles Relief
Analgesic, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiseptic, Anti-Spasmodic, Anti-Viral, Anxiety-Relief, Antifungal, Cooling, Helps Problem Skin Recover Faster.
Ingredients: Aloe vera, Jojoba Oil and Sunflower oil, Ravensara Ravensara aromatica, Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia, Lavender Lavandula augustifolia, Bergamot Citrus bergamia, Thyme Thymus vulgaris ct linalol, German Chamomile Matricaria recutita, Clary Sage Salvia sclarea, Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus, Oregano Origanum vulgare, and other natural essential oils.
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If condition worsens or persists for more than seven days, discontinue use and consult a physician. May cause an allergic reaction in some individuals with sensitive skin; test on small area before use. If severe irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately and consult a physician. Do not apply to wounds or broken skin. Do not bandage tightly. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion contact a Poison Control Center or physician immediately. Do not get on clothing. As with any drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of a health professional before using this product.
REFERENCES:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D.
Yellowstar Essentials; click on “Natural Remedies Kits” on the left navigation box to find shingles relief spray
http://www.thehealthsuccesssite.com/shingles.html
