Herpes Zoster, or more commonly known as shingles, is a viral infection which causes painful skin rash with blisters. Shingles usually occur on the right or left the side of the body or face as a single broad stripe. Any person who had chickenpox in the past could suffer from shingles.
Shingles are more likely to affect older people and people with low immunity. These blisters take around 2-4 weeks to heal completely, and you might suffer from excruciating nerve pain too, which might exist for months or even years. People over 50 years of age are prone to be affected by Shingles, and their symptoms are comparatively more severe.
The fact is “1 out of 3” people can get affected by this! So it is essential to look for effective natural home remedies for shingles. Try these home remedies help get rid of Shingles.
Melaleuca oil, commonly known as tea tree oil, is an essential oil. It is often found in soaps, shampoos, and other skin products as it has anti-microbial and antiseptic properties. It can work as an excellent home remedy for shingles due to its anti-viral properties. Tea tree oil also helps to relieve the pain and discomfort in shingles because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. If used regularly. It helps remove scars Its anti-bacterial properties help to prevent infections(1).
You could use diluted tea tree oil as an effective home remedy for shingles by applying it topically on the infected area. You could use carrier oils like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil to dilute it. Use a diffuser to inhale tea tree oil or add a few drops of tea tree oil to your bathtub. You could prepare an essential oil spray by mixing these essential oils, that is, tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender, with coconut oil for shingles.
[Also Read: Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil]
Tea tree oil should be used only for topical application. You should never swallow tea tree oil as it is toxic. Use 30 drops of all three essential oils each for preparing the spray.
Bergamot can be used as an effective home remedy for shingles as its anti-viral properties help to tackle the virus and protect against further complications. Due to its analgesic properties Bergamot helps to reduce pain and discomfort associated with shingles. It also aids in faster healing of shingles.
You could use diluted bergamot oil to apply it topically. Alternatively, you could add a few drops in the bathtub or inhale it. One of the useful home remedies for shingles is to prepare a mixture of essential oils by using bergamot and eucalyptus oil with almond oil. Use cotton to apply it on the blisters.
If you are preparing the mixture of essential oils, use two drops each of both essential oils with 30 ml of almond oil. Use this twice a day on the blisters.
Lavender oil is one of the most popular and safest essential oil for treating shingles. It has several medicinal properties and thus is safe for use as a home remedy for shingles. It helps Shingles to heal faster and relieves pain. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces swelling, pain, and itchiness. It also has antibiotic and analgesic properties, which have a calming effect on the pain. It is a mild and adequate substitute for analgesics that are used for shingles.
There are many ways you could use lavender oil for shingles. You could directly apply lavender oil diluted with a carrier oil like almond oil or coconut oil for shingles. Alternatively, you could use a diffuser to inhale it as it has a calming effect. You could use a few drops of the oil for a bath. A combination of lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus essential oils with coconut oil is excellent for shingles. This oil helps to relax and help you sleep.
A few drops of lavender oil are enough. When preparing the spray, use 30 drops of each essential oil with coconut oil and spray it on the affected area. Though lavender oil is considered safe, it should never be swallowed.
Melissa oil, known as lemongrass oil, can be used as a natural home remedy for shingles. It has strong anti-viral properties and helps to fight the virus.
Lemongrass oil can cause a burning sensation. So, if you do not want to apply it directly, you could add a few drops to your bathtub. You could even use it in a diffuser. If not, you could dilute it properly with a carrier oil like jojoba oil before using it. There are also various expensive lemongrass oils sold under the name ‘Melissa Oil’ which are gentle and can be applied directly. You could also prepare a combination of lemongrass, clove, peppermint essential oils with almond oil or coconut oil for shingles.
Before using lemongrass oil as a home remedy for shingles, you should consider two things. Firstly, you should never swallow it. Secondly, you should avoid using it directly as it causes an intense burning sensation. Use two drops each of the three essential oils with one tablespoon of coconut oil for shingles.
[Also Read: Lemongrass Benefits]
Ravensara essential oil is an effective cure for infections and skin inflammations. Due to its anti-viral and healing properties, it is useful as a home remedy for shingles. A study conducted on six patients used a spray made from the mixture of 95 percent distilled water with 5 percent of a blend of bergamot, ravensara, and niaouli essential oils thrice a day. This spray not only reduced the pain but also resulted in faster healing of shingles.
You could apply ravensara oil directly on the rashes after diluting it with a carrier oil like almond oil or coconut oil for shingles. You could opt to inhale it or add it to your bathing water. You could also prepare a combination of essential oils using this oil along with other essential oils and carrier oil.
Few drops of ravensara oil used topically are sufficient enough
[Read: Foods to Avoid with Shingles ]
Geranium oil, an extract of the geranium plant, is the perfect home remedies for shingles nerve pain. The nerve pain makes the skin sensitive and painful. Even small activities and movements cause discomfort and strain on your skin. Geranium oil is excellent for treating this pain. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties.
You could massage geranium oil on the rashes to get relief from the pain and discomfort associated with shingles. Geranium oil will help to reduce shingles nerve pain significantly. You also opt to add it to your bathing water or a diffuser. You could also prepare a combination of geranium oil with other essential oils and carrier oil.
Use a few drops of geranium oil to massage the area infected by shingles. This oil could help relieve nerve pain associated with shingles effectively.
Shingles cause a lot of pain, irritation, and discomfort to people. These essential oils can be used as useful and natural home remedies for shingles. It is imperative to conduct a patch test of these oils before using it on the blisters. Also, you should never consume essential oils as it is toxic.
Consult your doctor before using essential oils or other home remedies for shingles regarding their suitability and dosage. Also, you should follow a diet which includes Vitamin C and Vitamin E rich food along with organic vegetables and fruits. When accompanied with proper instructions and precautions, these home remedies could prove equally useful to relieve shingles and related pain.
[ Read: CBD Oil for Shingles ]
Some top home remedies for shingles include:
As a preventive measure, you can get your child vaccinated for chickenpox. You can get shingles if you have had chickenpox earlier. So, this vaccine could help protect kids from shingles. Also, people above 50 years of age could take the shingles vaccine as a preventive measure. Also, there are various natural home remedies for shingles, like the ones discussed above that could help.