The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Heather (Springfield, Mo) on 10/13/2012
★★★★★
I work in a very high stress job and had a second outbreak of Shingles for the year. I immediately turned to my tea tree oil, applied I with a cotton swab and covered the area with 3m waterproof bandaid. Now three days after doing this once a day, they are well on their way to healing. The pain went away within a few minutes of applying the oil as well as the itching. I am going to keep this oil on hand at all times!
Maca
Posted by Alt-rocks (Felixstowe, Suffolk, United Kingdom) on 09/17/2012
★★★★★
For the post herpetic pain, I had fantastic success with Maca. I took 1x500mg in the morning and 1x500mg in the early afternoon to boost my energy level, but was ecstatic to find that it completely took away the post herpetic pain. A very welcome side-effect indeed!
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Tressa (Mount Pocono, Pa.) on 05/27/2012
★★★★★
I'm in my 80's and got a case of shingles, the perscription my Dr. gave me was too expensive and it was to treat shingles. So I didn't buy it I saw that shingles looked like poison ivy so I treated it with calamine lotion by soking toilet paper with it, placed it around my middrift and wore a white T shirt. My shingles was gone in 2wks.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Posted by Bondibox (Rockville, Md) on 05/19/2012
★★★★★
I found complete relief from shingles with peppermint essential oil. My impression was that the peppermint overwhelms the nerve endings, that's probably how the eucalyptus oil works. I first prepped the area with cider vinegar, but it works without that. Also, to help with my energy I found that a massive dose (8x) of Lysine daily works.
Turmeric
Posted by Lou (Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-natal South Africa) on 04/12/2012
★★★★★
A reliable cure for Shingles is the crushed herb Turmeric used in curry or to boil with rice which gives it a bright yellow colour. This herb is a wonderful antiseptic for shingles. Simply take a teaspoon of it with jam or peanut butter twice a day and within a week your painful shingles is history. I use it on a daily basis but I have never had shingles and am quite healthy, I am 76yrs old. Lou
Dietary Changes
Posted by Donna (Newcastle, Nsw, Australia) on 04/04/2012
★★★★★
Last Wednesday dr diagnosed shingles. I was given antivirals. I came home in shock!
After looking up loads of information, I changed my diet. Cut out a lot of meat, juiced up loads of vegies (beetroot, spinach, purple carrots, parsley and some fruit to sweeten it) and added extra vitamin c and zinc (big healing properties there). I drank 1x 8 ounc glass before every meal. Two days in, fevers stopped, one week later, blisters are healing and no itching. I also used eucalyptus oil, which was great!
Ice
Posted by Sandra (California) on 02/27/2026
I have had this for about 3 months. I use vinegar on it which helps stop or lessen the itch. I am concerned about why it is happening.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Awagner3216 (Albuquerque, Nm) on 12/07/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I tried some aloe from the plant that I have and it made the itching and pain worse! I'm going to go to the store and get some Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oil.... Hopefully it will work, I'm only 22 and this is the first time that I have ever dealt with this. I hope that this is not a life long thing that keeps coming back!
Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Ruark (Sydney, Nsw Australia) on 11/10/2011
★★★★☆
I have been experiencing shingles for the first time. On the face which is excrutiating. Read a post here on using eucalyptus oil, so I just applied some and it certainly quelled the pain. As soon as I can get someone to help apply it to my scalp I reckon it will knock down the degree of pain too. Wow shingles is horrendous, any relief and a good night's sleep please.
Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Sarah B (Jefferson Twp., Pa) on 05/27/2012
I used an essential oil mix that has provided so much relief in only a day and a half. Tried bc it was all I had that had Eucalyptus oil in it and turned out to be amazing.
Dave Thomas Shingles Protocol
Posted by Kilee (Ontario, Canada) on 04/11/2014
Kilee from Ontario, Canada to Dave from Fountain Inn SC Thank you for your feedback regarding the nerve pain and swelling I am still experiencing four and a half months after shingles out break. I will look into the use of Calcium AEP. My last blood work showed higher than normal levels of calcium in my blood, but my para thyroid test came back normal. Guess they were worried it was leaching out of the bones. Will try to do some research to see if I can try the Calcium AEP. I don't think the medical community, has any idea what to do with those of us suffering from this horror. My Dr. prescribed Oxycodone , which I won't take and Lyrica which, out of desperation, I do take. The swelling on the right side of my abdomen, all the way around to my spine, is so severe my navel is almost an inch off center.The Dr. has no idea what else to try. Thanks Dave for taking the time to try to help those of us who are suffering and to all the other posters who post info that might help. It is much appreciated. Kilee
Dave Thomas Shingles Protocol
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 04/12/2014
To Kilee;
Re Shingles aftermath; your comment to me...
Also you could apply topically anti burn liquids; A high quality Aloe Vera mixed with a little DMSO to help penetration. And I've lately been working with Papaya and had one experience where application of Papaya liquid (just squeezed Papaya) de sensitized a burn very effectively.
And not only apply topically; but Kilee, take these anti-burn liquids orally as well. Ingest a cup (of either) daily for a month.
If the burning you are feeling is equivalent to a "burn" then it stands to reason that anti burn items will give relief. Remember; I've warned you that the virus may still be alive and so the topical application of CS with DMSO to kill the virus is essential.
Dave Thomas Shingles Protocol
Posted by Lizzy (Asheville, Nc) on 10/10/2014
Dear Dave,
Thank you so much for posting this shingles formula! Thankfully I have all the ingredients at home and have started your protocol for the beginning stages of what I think is shingles. The paste feels great on the rash/blisters that I just discovered a couple of hours ago. Thank you again!
Herpetic Neuralgia Remedies
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 03/05/2015
Recently I just realized my occipital headache which I come to realize is really postherpetic neuralgia. This is related to the shingles zoster virus.
Before you can treat your herpes, you must know what kind of herpes virus you are fighting.
Red Marine Algae of the Gigartina skottsbergii species variety is suppose to be effective against herpes zoster.
Diaper Cream and Mylanta
Posted by Jlh (Victor, Iowa) on 07/30/2011
★★★★★
I tried ACV and aloe for my shingles and it didn't do anything. My sister in law shared a remedy she had heard of: mix equal parts of desitin diaper cream and mylanta and spread on the blisters. It is amazing! I am on day two of this mixture and it is really helping. The blisters are still there and still uncomfortable if they get pushed on, but much better than burning, stabbing pain constantly! My blisters are in an area that clothing rubs so I have been miserable. This mixture has made it possible for me to wear clothing without sever pain!
Diaper Cream and Mylanta
Posted by John From Pa. (Abington, Pa) on 07/31/2011
Licorice extract will get rid of shingles in 3 days...
50% the first day... 75% the second and 100% the third day...
I had shingles and got rid of them in three days.. They came back in 2 different places the next couple of days and I also got rid of them... Never to reappear...
John from PA
Diaper Cream and Mylanta
Posted by Caroline (Charleston Sc) on 07/24/2017
Is the licorice taken internally or applied topically?
Herbs
Posted by Dan (Bisbee, Arizona) on 07/04/2011
★★★★★
Hello, I want to suggest goldenseal tincture as a remedy for shingles. It tends to sting a bit but really helps to alieviate my symptoms. Also works on mouth sores and funky gums. I aply it topically and in the case of mouth problems I swish it around as long as I can then swallow it. One dropper is enough.
Oats
Posted by Breizhbabe (Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, Uk) on 05/30/2011
★★★★★
Hi, When our children had chicken pox, which is the same virus as shingles - to ease the pain of the blisters we were advised to put some oats in a muslin cloth, tie it and place it in the bath. This produces a milk which bathes the sores and soothes. I tried this last year when I had shingles for the first time and it was very soothing. I also put calamine lotion onto the spots (you can also use this for sunburn). I currently have shingles and I think they have affected my scalp. When I wash my hair I put one drop of tea tree oil into the final rinse water and this has soothed the scalp. I wonder whether peppermint might also help. Now I have read the article on apple cider vinegar will try that. You can buy organic apple cider that isn't that much more expensive.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine
Posted by Schuyler (Mullins, Sc) on 10/11/2012
I started with shingles Dec. 2012. Have had ongoing problems since then. It was hard to diagnose because it never came out as a rash, but stayed "inside. " It's in the left side of neck, left upper roof gum area, temple, top left side of head, partially down left neck and left shoulder. Been on antivirals & steroids 3 times. Now, back on antivirals alone. BUT... This time, I'm having an actual outbreak on the inside of the lower lid of my left eye. It's very uncomfortable. I've just taken the ACV for the first time after reading all the comments, but can anyone suggest what I might possibly be able to use for my eye to help with the bad discomfort? I know I can't put vinegar in there--UGH! Thanks for any help.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine
Posted by Connie (Slc, Utah, Usa) on 10/11/2012
Hi Schuyler; I would recommend high dose B12, even injections for shingles. B12 has antiviral properties, and it used to be used to treat them before the advent of antivirals. Shingles near the eyes may even cause blindness, so I can't help but ask you to hurry. B12 will also treat post herpetic neuralgia, which can be debilitating.
Homeopathy
Posted by Marina (Miami) on 08/16/2023
Arsenicum album 200ck for shingles/viral rash
Side effects alert. I only took it 5 times in 2 days and started feeling extremely unwell, feeling sort like of one leg in a grave. I stopped it immediately, after concluding it must be arsenicum album, and today is the second day after I stopped, but not feeling any better. My detoxification is compromised to start with, due to MTHFR polymorphisms and low BP, and the dose is probably too high. This homeopathic remedy is suggested here on EC. If blood flow to the liver decreases as much as thirty percent, and this can happen in hypotension, plasma levels of hepatically cleared drugs are largely dependent on blood pressure and posture, this can cause toxicity buildup and even cause seizures. I should've been more careful. I was also taking L-Lysine, zinc-15mg, ascorbic acid and Lauricidin. But I started feeling unwell after adding the homeopathic remedy.
Homeopathy
Posted by Deborah (LA) on 08/21/2024
Arsecum album?
Electro Muscle Stimulus
Posted by D. Ron (Madison, Wi, Usa) on 03/14/2011
★★★★★
A patient came to my office with painful shingles on her arm and back. Ran my electro muscle stim over the area for about 10 minutes. She came in a week later and told me the shingles cleared with in 48 hours.
Cola Nut
Posted by Nanabea (Accra, Ghana) on 01/13/2011
★★★★★
My Grandma had a really bad episode of shingles. It weakened her and put her in agonisin pain. I came to this site to find something to stop the excruciating pain. I tried the ice pack and the acetone and aspirin concoctions they all worked relatively well. The cola nut however did the trick, although it itches unberably it took the pain away and cured the redness. The blisters vanished and she was up and doing the next day. It was such a relief to see her well again.
Lye Soap
Posted by Benito (Rome, Ny) on 11/01/2009
★★★★★
Lye soap works on shingles I had them at 22 yrs old very painful I lathered lye soap on them and let it sit for agood 20 minutes and they dried up the next day.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Guest (Georgia) on 07/31/2017
She used capsaicin cream (that's the correct spelling), and it made her husband's skin burn like crazy. I've tried it for arthritis and muscle strain and it burned like crazy on me, too, so there's no way I'm putting on my shingles lesions. It works as she said, in a counter-irritation way.
Obviously, it works well for some of you, but if you haven't tried it yet: Don't apply without a glove or your fingers will burn for hours. It's really difficult to wash off (if you need to because it makes your pain worse), and you'd better throw the wash cloth away.
Essential Oils
Posted by Daisy (Oklahoma, USA) on 01/27/2009
★★★★★
For shingles, a combination of ravensara essential oil and Calophyllum inophyllum (also known as Foraha or Tamanu oil) can be an effective treatment. Ravensara is STRONGLY antiviral. Calophyllum has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Together, they seem to work extremely well on shingles.
Try a mixture of 25% calophyllum, 10% ravensara essential oil, and 65% carrier oil (such as jojoba oil or olive oil).
Basil essential oil diluted in olive oil is also reported to be effective in helping shingles.
Essential Oils
Posted by Jenesse (Mesa, Az, USA) on 11/27/2012
★★★★★
Yes, the recommendation for Ravensara (Ravintsara) and Callophylum / Tamanu nut oil is from Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt's "Advanced Aromatherapy". You can use a 50-50 concentration. No additional carrier oil needed. I added a few drops of geranium which is also a great anti-viral oil. This blend smells earthy and sweet - it's great!
I currently have the VERY characteristic "shingles pain" , no blisters yet. The pain is already MUCH better and I'm praying it only gets better not worse. I additionally took a few oregano capsules, lots of L-Lysine and got a chiropractic adjustment - just be to be sure. I HATE the shingles!!
