Natural Shingles Remedies: A Guide to Relief

Lysine, Olive Leaf

Posted by Angee (Nz) on 10/07/2016
★★★★★

Have had shingles for 4-5 years now. was never diagnosed as this. was told had fibromyalgia becos I didnt get the rash. had neuralgia pain all this time.could not sleep at night for fever and excruiating pain in neck, head and liquid coming pooling in eardrums and eyes.It all started with central back itch/sore. Read this blog and sought Lysine and olive leaf extract 500 mg. Started taking two nights ago. Slept well last night first time in months.

Same doc advice as many on this blog, viral meds and antidepressant for pain both of which never worked at height of pain/fever. Then this week rash appeared I happened to use ozonated olive oil which my husband just happened to have on guidance from this site. Was using ACV but I have to say ozonated olive oil which is what they put in makeup and is clear not green worked MAGIC on the rash and itch. While ACV works as an antiseptic and emergency I found the olive oil worked better.

I read the dietary guide here and stopped drinking tea and coffee and drank green tea and strawberries only. No more choc or nuts. Feeling amazingly better.

For any of your doubters out there,,, THIS REALLY WORKS!! Don't get the shingle vaccine as my research is not kind on it and I believe it doesn't help as people who got it as a preventative still got shingles later, I read many reviews from many different sites to be sure. I am taking the Lysine and will continue a long course of this for at least a year to kill off the herpes virus, as I also read in this blog. I will keep this site updated with my results.

My back is still slightly tingly but the itch has gone and it is slowly receding. Thank you earth-clinic 9my god) blog for great advice which was much needed in my times of sleepless-painful-exhaustive 1am nights.

MMS

Posted by Cures (India) on 10/23/2015 2 posts
★★★★★

Recently my mom had Shingles and was very worried as her aunt had suffered unbearable nerve pain for many days. She used 6 drops doses of MMS three times a day and the condition gradually improved with each dose. By the third day, it was gone.

Calamine Lotion

Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/02/2023

I had my first case of shingles at 15. Had it regularly through my 20's. Last time I had it was at 45 ....until tonight when I realized the pain I had on my back below my right shoulder blade was shingles. In the process of selling our home and it is very stressful................I am almost 75. I woke my husband up at 1 am to put a cayenne pepper patch on my back.

Calamine Lotion

Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 05/01/2018 233 posts

Kayla, avoid aspartame, in energy drinks and some "sugar free" soft drinks, avoid artificial sweeteners and arginine foods. A liver detox would be great to remove build up from the liver, as an overloaded liver can not clear the body of built up toxins, heavy metals and pathogens. Failing that you might research granulated lecithin non GMO soy or sunflower, one tablespoon daily with a meal, graduate to every meal, to absorb and excrete toxins, some milk thistle or dandelion supplement to support liver function, & lysine and wholefood vitamin c to boost the immune system.

Calamine Lotion

Posted by Katzie (Alberta) on 05/06/2018

Hi Kayla. I just wanted.to ask if you're sure it was Shingles and not something else? Getting Shingles 2x is rare and getting it a 3rd time is almost unheard of! At any rate, your immune system is really struggling. You should try DMSO on the rash as well as take 1tsp of it morning and night. Use a nice soothing castor oil on the rash after the DMSO. These should clear up your rash quickly. Also look into ways to strengthen your poor, struggling immune system cause it ain't working so good right.now. Good luck!

Monolaurin, Vitamin C

Posted by Hisjewel (Usa) on 10/17/2018

Greetings EC and Everyone,

Re Shingles and that Stinging Burning Feeling in the Face Syndrome

I have come to believe that the stinging in the face was not bought on by anything I previously thought brought it on. The two things that I noticed about the stinging, burning or pins and needle feeling that I had in the face, was that it always happened when it was humid or when I was stressed. I had the shingles on the one leg. However, I am sure it was responsible for that feeling I had on my face. I am healed of it now about three months. I really don't know what did it, I was taking so many things including BHT which I started taking in March, and Astragalus which I started in June. I give God the glory He is the ultimate healer. The foods that I could not eat last year, I am now able to eat once again without a shingles outbreak. And, the burning face feeling went bye, bye with the shingles.

Never Give Up.

HisJewel

Red Marine Algae

Posted by Breathoflifeedu (Texas) on 11/15/2014
★★★★★

When my son was 12 years old, he developed a painful rash on his back, neck, and face all on the same side. A couple days after I was at my chiropractor and he noticed it and told me that it was shingles. I asked what I could do to get rid of it. He went in the other room and came back with a bottle of Red Marine Algae. He said for my son to take 2 capsules in the morning and 2 capsules at night until the bottle was empty, if the it was not completely gone then get another bottle and follow the same instructions but to take all of the bottle regardless. I followed his instructions to the T and by the time he finished the first bottle it was completely gone and he has not had another occurrence, he is now 22 years old.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sam (Miami) on 03/20/2023

Did he have shingles before? Sometime it is a healing crisis. My dad suffered eczema for 30 years. One year he was taking 4 weeks treatment course in a balneoresort (Sanatorium Annensky Mineralnye Vody): The water is alkaline (Pn = 8.5-9.4), slightly mineralized (0.32 g/l), the composition is sulfate-bicarbonate, sodium with a high content of silicic acid (60-96 mg/l). Keep in mind he was regularly getting treatments in various balneoresorts with different composition of water. So this time he got so sick he had to hospitalised. After he recovered his eczema was gone for good.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Kenneth (Beach Lake) on 07/15/2015
★★★★★

Epsom Salt for Shingles

Do EPSOM SALT HOT COMPRESSES SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY, even eyebrows, scalp, bumps go down but return later day. Just keep doing, don't overheat & get blisters, likewise leg calves, & other areas of body. While damp, you could dust Baking Soda, BUT NOT THE EYES AREA.

Also, don't get EPSOM SALT Moisture in eyes. if do, RINSE IMMEDIATELY.

Essential Oils

Posted by Mary (Montana, US) on 03/28/2014
★★★★★

For shingles.. Ok pure and simple 1/8 cup of coconut Oil, 10 drops each lavender, teatree and euclyptus oil. Apple to areas that are infected with shingles. Feel the relief of taxing your immune system with the pain and discomfort of the virus. Also, applying peppermint oil with coconut oil to your feet will also help with getting a restful sleep.

Geranium Oil

Posted by Seanjk (Norcal, Usa) on 03/03/2014
★★★★★

I was looking for an internal solution to the Shingles problems for my older mother.

I very quickly cured the external shingles with geranium oil after reading some scientific papers about geranium oil. It worked far better than anything I tried, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, etc so I thought I would pass that along. Geranium oil appears to be the magic bullet for shingles externally if my mother's case is typical.

As far as reducing the stress on the internal organs, body due the virus, I tried common antiviral organics on her after the doctors prescription antivirals failed to do anything, externally or internally, and he refused to prescribe anymore for her, even though she has an expensive private plan. The 'kind' physicians told her to go home and die more or less. He must get a bonus for not prescribing

I have her on...

2000 mg day of neem leaf extract -very, very safe strong antiviral , antibacterial, useful to fight cancer as well
2000 mg a day of olive leaf extract, strong antiviral
2000 mg a day of elderberry extract, strong antiviral, safe
6000 mg equivalent of garlic oil, strong antiviral, safe
6000 mg a day of time released buffered vitamin c,
also vitamin e, d, b-complex
and Cayenne extract

That provided some significant improvement to the stress on her, but I think I need to dose her higher on the cayenne extract. I was not watching her carefully enough on the Cayenne and she was not dosing her high enough.

There are other antivirals out there that are strong like licorice root but they can't be taken for a long time at higher doses. I had her on 2000 mg a day of licorice root for about a month.

Vitamin C

Posted by Timh (Ky) on 12/05/2016 2042 posts

HJ: I am not aware of this occurring from any personal reports, and doesn't seem logical it would.

My gut tells me it's a gut issue (pun intended). We know oral Vit-C is poorly absorbed, and even with a healthy gut, but if there is infection, parasites, and/or leaky gut, oral Vit-C would be a problem.

Try some buffering remedies for a few days and then try buffered Vit-C. If paras or infection is suspected try Oil of Oregano before meals. Also incorporated Milled Flax Seed into diet to make for some gentle colon cleaning. Lipospheric Vit-C is best and one can achieve therapeutic results in cases of major illnesses, unlike oral standard C. Colloidal Silver is also effective for all types of pathogens.

Always good to read your post and hope this helps, let us know.

Vitamin C

Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 12/08/2016

Mama to Many

Thank you for your thoughts, and for sharing your experience. I have started to work on my digestive system ("again"). This time I plan to stick to it. As I do appreciate the benefits of extra C when needed.

HisJewel

Coconut Oil

Posted by Mistyhaired (Arkansas) on 01/09/2017

LOL, I'm so sorry to laugh, but of course you vomited. You just did it all at once! I think it's funny bc it's sort of my nature to go all out too, but unfortunately a slow, gradual introduction to anything new to your body is best. Best of luck to you. :)

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Scott (La Quinta, Ca) on 08/17/2012
★★★★★

I used aloe vera gel, cayenne and oatmeal flour I ground up in my vita-mix to make a paste. Worked like a charm- place aloe vera gel in a bowl sprinkle to cover with cayenne, mix then sprinkle to cover with oatmeal and mix again. Clean site with Apple Cider Vinegar and apply it every 6 hrs.

Ice

Posted by Renee (Pensecola, Florida) on 02/21/2012
★★★★★

I have read many of these replies of all treatments you have tried, I have suffered for 3 CONSTANT years now with the shingles on both sides of the body, face, arms and other places. I have found to help stop immediate itch and severe pain till anything you have taken orally can work place ICE on the blisters, red bumps, or just when the itch starts this will calm it and feels great! Ice for 20 minutes at every hour soothes the nerves.

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Jo (Southampton, Hampshire, Uk) on 01/31/2012
★★★★★

Last night my whole leg was covered in painful red rash and blisters. I was at my wits end until I discovered this site. After purchasing aloe vera gel today and liberally applying it with eucalyptus oil I simply cannot believe the difference. The blisters have dried, the redness has significantly decreased and the pain has all but gone. I did try the ACV but found that it stung a lot and irritated the blisters. I did take it internally though. Last night I was writhing in pain unable to speak, today the pain is manageable and significantly better.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Bernadette (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 10/01/2011

For at least the next six - eight weeks, ELIMINATE SUGAR from your diet. When I had shingles a few years ago, getting off sugar helped because shingles seem to thrive on sugar.

Take supplements to strengthen your immune system. As your body strengthens, the pain will get less and usually the lesions will go away within 6 months or so.

HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER... THIS IS A MISERABLE CONDITION!! :-)

Herpetic Neuralgia Remedies

Posted by Tessa (Nyc) on 03/05/2015

I contracted herpes in my 30s about 18 years ago and have suffered from postherpetic neuralgia ever since. I found that meds - such a Lyrica or gabapentin - are a nightmare (the horrific side effects outweigh any benefits). I have reduced my pain (arms and legs), which was once severely acute and constant, to either nonexistent or occasional and mild simply by doing the following:

(1) I avoid foods that are high in arginine (nuts, seeds, chocolate, especially), which can lead to excruciating bouts for me. Dairy is helpful (high in lisine). I remain aware of lisine versus arginine ratios in my diet, tipping the scale toward more lisine. I eat lots of vegetables, leafy greens, and some meat (lamb is high in lisine) -I keep it organic/free range.

(2) The real miracle cure for me: I take spirulina every morning (1000 mg).

(3) I do as much yoga as I can (yin yoga is especially great during bouts - something about stretching and breathing). I get acupuncture (but never during a bout because that will make it more acute).

(4) Try not to get too stressed out. Avoid an abundance of sun. Avoid getting overtired or overexerted (e.g., pushing myself beyond an athletic limit - as in running too long).

It's taken me a long time to figure it all out, so I wanted to pass it along. :)

Acupuncture

Posted by sarah (New zealand ) on 05/04/2024

Get a heavy metal detox spray for your grandson. You can use a product from masterpeace too which is available in the States.

Baking Powder Paste

Posted by Victor (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) on 08/05/2011
★★★★★

after reading through alot of posts on this website I tried the ACV and CP rub and it did help but after doing more research and trials I found that baking powder helped the most. Found in "1801 home remedies" take baking powder and mix with enough water to make a paste. Apply paste to affected area and let dry. Helps dry the blisters and with itch. Found it works better then ACV because it's a paste that stays effective for longer then the liquid ACV. Orally I tried ACV with CP, lysine, echinacea but found the best oral remedy to be "cat's claw". It's a natural viral treatment. Taking them all won't hurt either seeing as they are all natural.

Baking Powder Paste

Posted by God Made Natural Cures. (Los Angeles, Ca) on 02/27/2014

Baking powder might work better than soda because the corn starch is soothing. You can make your own baking powder without aluminum. Recipe is one part baking soda, one part corn starch, and 2 parts cream of tartar. I make small batches and keep them in my old baking powder can. No preservatives and yet I have had none go bad.

Turmeric

Posted by Nypie (New York, Ny) on 05/21/2011
★★★★☆

Hi all,

Last week I came down with a rash and then a few days later a cluster of blisters near my lip that looked horrible. I assumed they were the worst case of a cold sore I had ever had and proceeded to use whatever had worked in the past. To my horror nothing worked and I stayed inside my home for days feeling depressed about it while applying cold sore ointments and more. While thinking about it I thought it odd I also had a rash around the bumps which had never happened before so I started googling. So I came to the conclusion I had Shingles-hurrah! ... ? Knowing I had turmeric in the medicine cabinet and knowing it's supposed uses for skin ailments I decided to give it a try. I just pour a bit in my palm, add a bit of water and then apply it to the affected area. It is working! It is obviously healing and looking much better. I'd also advise tea tree oil & vitamins through diet & supplements.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine

Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 12/05/2017

Yes, you can use ACV in your eyes but you have to dilute it too. 3 drops ACV to 10 drops water. It will sting a little but well worth it. Dilute it to the best way that suits you.

blessings,

Mary

Homeopathy

Posted by Marina (Miami) on 08/16/2023
★★★★★

I want to add, I should have started with Arsenicum album 30c, not 200ck, or reduced the number of pellets from 5 to maybe 2-3. Even though I feel like half dead, the stubborn rash is 90% gone. Will see if it comes back. It probably will for I have some underlying issues. This is what I was taking along with Arsenicum album (for 2 days): L-Lysine-500mgx4, zinc-15mgx1, ascorbic acid -1gx2-4 times/day, Lauricidin- only 3pelletsx3 and LDN 1mg. I was drinking a baking soda solution 2-3 times a day. Took 1-2 drops under the tongue -0.5% Methylene Blue solution for 2 days once a day. Except Arsenicum album I was taking other supplements for at least 10 days.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Quercus (La, Ca) on 01/22/2014

I would add be sure what you have is Shingles and not dermatitis herpetiformis. After suffering for several years with what had been diagnosed as Shingles, I found I have a gluten sensitivity/celiac disease.

Gluten sensitivity/celiac disease causes a rash that is often misdiagnosed as Shingles. I read an article by a dermatologist where he found that over 50% of the people he saw complaining from Shingles, had a gluten rash instead. If you keep getting "Shingles" and nothing seems to help, stop eating grains with gluten in them. Wheat, Barley and Rye all have the offending gluten.

I was continually getting"Shingles". Sometimes they would just start healing and then I would get them in another area. I tried everything possible. Lysine, vitamin C, laying off chocolate and nuts, ACV VCO, Aloe, etc. I couldn't sleep, was itching and scratching all of the time. They were painful red and scaring.

I read the article and decided what the heck, I will try eliminating gluten and see what happens. Within 2-3 days the itching had almost totally disappeared. Within 5 days all of the blisters were healing, nearly half were gone. The best part was I didn't get any new ones.

Now I watch everything I eat. Even then it is hard not to get a cross contaminated food item. The food industry puts wheat in everything. Just a little bit causes me to breakout. The good part is that I now can enjoy chocolate and nuts.

Gluten problems according to several experts could affect nearly 70% of the US. Try avoiding gluten for a couple of weeks and see. It may change your life.

Antifungal Cream for Ringworm

Posted by Kelly (San Antonio, TX) on 01/02/2009
★★★★★

Every year, once or twice a year, I get an outbreak of shingles on my right cheek. I know I am getting it due to pain on the left side of my face accompinied by a tingling sensation on my nose. When I feel this, I immediately start taking acyclovoir (SP) and wash the area with regular ol' rubbing alcohol, applied by a cotton ball. Then while the area is still wet, I apply Goldbond medicated powder and let it dry. It seems to help with the pain and itching. If blisters form, they immediately start to dry up. Try this, it might work for you.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Wendy (La Ceiba, Honduras) on 12/18/2008
★★★★★

I read with great interest all the remedies posted for shingles. Researching a bit on my own, I came up with this concoction which has reduced itching and pain as well as sped up healing.

In a very small container place One teaspoon of coconut oil, squeezing a gel cap of Vit E oil into it...add a teaspoon of Neem oil, 2 drops of grapefruit seed extract, 2 drops of oregano oil, 4 drops of sandalwood oil, a teaspoon of fresh aloe gel and a 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.

mix this all up and dab it on the blisters. i lightly placed a tissue over this as the turmeric will stain clothing so wear something old.

I have eliminated coffee, alcohol, nuts, seeds and have upped my intake of papaya and sardines (high in lysine).
Internally, I am taking 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract and 2 drops of oregano oil mixed with water in a shot glass, followed by a large glass or pure water every hour. This mixture does not taste good, but has very strong anti viral properties and ANYTHING is better than the pain from shingles. DO NOT take more than 2 drops of oregano....this is powerful stuff. ALWAYS mix it with water.

I am on day 5 now. i started using this protocol on day 3. The first angry patch has scabbed over and and looks much much better and the other patches have not developed blisters .....so I am hopeful for a brief experience.

Many of these ingredients are part of the Indian healing system called Ayurveda. I just added everything I researched into one method. Hope this helps you.

Zostavax Vaccine

Posted by Colleen (Whitewater, Wi) on 11/30/2011

Before anyone runs out to get a zostavax shot, please do your research. As with all vaccines, there are risks and unproven efficacy, and only "work" if your immune system is strong enough to build the antibodies... So goes the idea. Problem for those with shingles is that their immune system is obviously not up to snuff, since shingles is caused by an opportunistic virus, rearing its ugly head when one is under stress, suffered trauma or generally immune deficient. That said, why in the world would you subject yourself with a different strain of herpes zoster (live attenuated) virus if your immune system is not up to the task?

To kick off your research...

Chickenpox Vaccine Linked with Shingles Epidemic

"New research published in the International Journal of Toxicology (IJT) by Gary S. Goldman, Ph. D. , reveals high rates of shingles (herpes zoster) in Americans since the government's 1995 recommendation that all children receive chicken pox vaccine. Goldman's research supports that shingles, which results in three times as many deaths and five times the number of hospitalizations as chicken pox, is suppressed naturally by occasional contact with chicken pox."

[....]

"Using a shingles vaccine to control shingles epidemics in adults would likely fail because adult vaccination programs have rarely proved successful, " said Goldman. "There appears to be no way to avoid a mass epidemic of shingles lasting as long as several generations among adults."

Reading through these remedies I'm truly shocked at the number of middle age adults and younger who are afflicted with this disease which "primarily afflicts the elderly"... No surprise that the diagnosis was missed repeatedly in many of EC's forum posters, and it seems to lend credence to Dr. Goldman's research and findings, that the chickenpox vaccine (zostavax) can be linked to a shingles epidemic.

I've never had shingles, only know people who have suffered this, and can only imagine the desperation one feels, so much that they'll try anything to avoid recurrence of shingles. Just be cautious and well-informed before trying something which may do more harm than good.

Bottom line... Mother (nature) knows best!

Aloe Vera

Posted by Janet (In) on 08/05/2017

Lou Great article. How to take BHT has always perplexed me. Oscar and Ted talk about it. I tried it a few years ago. I did not do well getting up to take it in the night. This has 2 ways. Very clear and straightforward. Thank you. Janet

Folic Acid, Lysine, Vitamin C

Posted by Debbie (Syracuse, Ny) on 10/02/2015
★★★★★

I used a supplements too, and it has pretty much eliminated my shingles rash. 2000 mg daily of lysine for 3 days, then 500 mg in the a.m. and p.m. daily, Liposomal vitamin C 2000 mg ever 2 hours for the first 2 weeks, natural vitamin E 400 mg 2x daily, B-12 twice daily, moducare 2 caps three x daily for 1 week, then one capsule twice daily, vitamin D 5000 mg daily. I used bentonite clay on the blisters and they had drained in 2 days, then started using Emuaid max salve 2 x daily to heal the rash. They are looking real good, but still have to take pain meds for the underlying pain. I hope this pain goes away soon.

L-Lysine

Posted by Mark (Las Vegas) on 07/04/2015

Lysine can cause liver toxicity if taken too much. Read up on it.

Turmeric

Posted by Lisa (CA) on 01/02/2025 37 posts
★★★★★

A few years ago I had a dental implant, and it caused shingles for the first time. It was a Friday afternoon and my doc had left the office. His nurse asked me what anti inflammatories I had at home and I replied Turmeric. She told me to load up so I took 2Kmg every hours for 3 hours. When I had finished I notice the terrible pain on my scalp subside and by the next morning, the pain was gone. On Monday I saw the doc and he only found one small blister that was almost healed. Now I am using turmeric for sciatica and it's wonderful. My pain is almost gone along with my foot arthritis, toes fungus. Great stuff.

L-Lysine

Posted by Charles (MN) on 04/12/2021
★★★★★

to aurora in mason city:

lysine for shingles (it's a herpes virus) 3000 mg a day 1000 morning, 1000 noon 1000 night. for 3 days. 500 mg. every day for the next week..

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Shadel (Nebraska) on 04/06/2021
★☆☆☆☆

Having shingles pain for approximately 3 months, I am at a loss what to take/apply for this problem. I experience pain at night which disturbs my sleep tremendously. I have used vinegar, cooling gel, colloidal silver, oregano oil, coconut oil. Also goldenseal paste. Thank your for suggestions.