Exploring Natural Remedies and Supportive Care for Shingles

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 lysine). I remain aware of lysine versus arginine ratios in my diet, tipping the scale toward more lysine. I eat lots of vegetables, leafy greens, and some meat (lamb is high in lysine) -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. :)

Herpetic Neuralgia Remedies

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

(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).

(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. :)

Red Marine Algae

Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 03/05/2015
★★★★★

The above post is not very clear. It may cause people to buy the wrong product and think it didn't work.

There are thousands of varieties of Red Marine Algae but only ONE variety works against the shingles virus (herpes zoster). Many bottles say Red Marine Algae but they contain different varieties depending that work against different herpes.

Shingles and other herpes outbreaks can be controlled by the use of red marine algae. The main caution about using any commercial product by that name is to be sure that the appropriate species of red marine algae is in the supplement. The name to look for based on scientific research is Gigartina skottsbergii.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Gary (Claxton, Georgia) on 02/01/2015
★★★★★

The War On Shingles

Sunday, February 1,2015,0408, As I lay sleeping, my position came under attack by, varicella-zoster virus (better known as shingles). I awakened to the "off the charts" pain that comes from a red hot piece of shrapnel being laid across my right hip, back of the right thigh and groin. It is the kind of pain that my sweetheart best describes as a "Take me now, Lord" moment. I have been at war for nearly two weeks with this insane foe. I've counter-attacked daily with copious amounts of organic apple cider vinegar, aloe-vera gel, coconut oil and cayenne pepper from day one.

These weapons have been sufficient for the surge. I have re-taken most of the territory the enemy occupied from the onslaught. This latest attack is shingles' futile last gasp effort to return to the fray with a vengeance. DO NOT concede! Return fire with straight ACV to the infected area 3-4 times per day and a salve composed of 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Stay focused and keep up the fight! You can and will defeat it. I sincerely thank God, Gloria (Salem, MA) who posted on 02/25/2007 and the good folks here at Earth Clinic. God Bless.

Magnets

Posted by Aj (Florida, Usa) on 01/21/2015

I would tape with scotch tape to my shirt the magnet and leave it there all day and night. The magnets help improve the blood flow and speed up the healing time.

Homeopathy

Posted by Pam (Kent, Wa) on 01/19/2015
★★★★☆

I have shingles with no rash, although it feels like I have one because of the severe nerve pain. The left side of my neck from front to back is involved. I use the homeopathic remedy Hypericum for the pain, I use both the 30c and the 200c potency. I take a dose of 30c, if I don't get relief I take again in 20 minutes or so and that usually kills the pain for several hours and repeat as necessary or I take a dose of 200c and that seems to hold throughout the day. It has not cured the shingles, I've had it for about 10 days now, but it makes the pain very tolerable. Hypericum is for any nerve pain.

Geranium Oil

Posted by Koolteach (NC, USA) on 01/11/2015

How old is your mother? You may actually be harming her, rather than helping her. I currently have Shingles. I am taking Lysine, Vit C, B Complex, Olive Leaf extract, and more recently starting taking Royal Jelly with Propolis and Pollen in it. I can't tell you how much difference this has made in just two days.

I tried all the essential oil "recipes" for Shingles and the only one that came close to helping maybe 10 mins. at a time was Tea Tree mixed with a quality Olive Oil. I have since abandoned that and am depending on the supplements listed above. The Bee product is fabulous. I highly recommend it. I was told last week that I have the post pain and that I can expect to be a "long-time patient" while my doctor tries various combos of narcotics to fight the pain. But, the Bee stuff works great and I finally think I will get out of this hell of the virus and finally get my life back. I hope this helps you and your mom, but back off a bit, won't you? If she is older, she does not need a bunch of stuff. Just find what works for the majority of us here and go for that.

Magnets

Posted by Candy (Kansas, US) on 01/09/2015

How long did you leave the magnet on?

L-Lysine

Posted by Marigold (Usa) on 12/17/2014
★★★★★

Absolutely! This worked for me!

Rubbing Alcohol, Iodine

Posted by Tammy (Texas) on 12/05/2014
★★★★★

Country Girl's Home Remedy for Shingles:

I am on my 3rd week of the battle w/Shingles & excited they are healing & leaving! I am 43 yrs. old, mother of 3, & was told stress induced my Shingles. My 1st week I was put on the Anti Viral Medication. Told my Dr.my theory on drying them out, protecting the skin. He told me if I could endure it, it would probably work.....

After the doctor's appt., I went home & put rubbing alcohol on the rash (oh it burns as it's attacking the virus, & then it stops, so does the pain/itching/burning.It can be extremely painful where the virus is strong). After the alcohol dried, using a Q-tip I poured Betadine (iodine) on it, then putting it on all the rash. Betadine seemed to seal the rash from traveling. About the rash..It looked awful, my husband stated it looked like someone spilled hot grease all over my lower side. It was not a small bout w/Shingles. My rash was from my lower back all the way to the front... but with my home remedy on 2 blisters ever fested up & crusted over. The nerve pain was different & I had to use Ibroprofen. This is my 3rd week, I've worked on building my immune system up & now I am almost healed from the rash & pain. For me this home remedy helped & I am sharing in hopes if it can help someone else. God Bless.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Lola (Chicago) on 11/21/2014
★★★★★

CAPSICAIN (from hot peppers) for the best topical relief from shingles. You can get it in creme/lotion in a tube at most pharmacies. No burning whatsoever. REALLY HELPS.

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.

Antifungal Cream for Ringworm

Posted by Lizzy (Asheville, Nc) on 10/16/2014
★★★★★

Thank you so much for posting about the antifungal cream for shingles. I bought some ringworm cream at the pharmacy yesterday and applied to my shingles patch. It was the 6th day of my shingles outbreak and even though Dave's wonderful remedies were helping, the blistering area was still painful and red. I can't believe it, in just over 24 hours and 2 applications, the area has almost completely dried up and is no longer painful. Remarkable!

Antifungal Cream for Ringworm

Posted by Jody (Idaho, US) on 10/13/2014
★★★★★

I have also used an antifungal cream on my shingles and it seems to accelerated the shingles to blister then completely go away with no scarring in only a few days.

I had thought that I had ringworm on my hip and used the antifungal cream which cleared it up, but 6 months later it came back and my Dr said it was shingles. So I used the antifungal cream the second time and again within a few hours the itching was gone and healed within a few days. I don't know why it worked but I thank goodness it did. I can't imagine having to deal with the pain for weeks!

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!

Magnets

Posted by Aj (Florida, Usa) on 10/07/2014
★★★★☆

I'm on my second week fighting the Shingles and am on meds now. Used the recipe for putting on the rash and did help some, but switched to Calamine lotion to dry out the pimples and that worked. Now the pain started, but I put a super magnet the size of a penny on it and the pain disappeared. Thanks for the good tips! Magnets work for me.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 09/29/2014

Most of the immune system is in the Gut Flora. It is my theory that gut flora may play a major role in these things. Maybe even chronic meningitis. I notice when I took amoxicillin too long, the shingles would show itself. I have low level chronic infection. Maybe a sign of gut flora abnormality. Just something to ponder.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Michelle (Los Angeles, California) on 09/29/2014
★★★★★

My 3 prong approach to treatment of shingles:

I have never had shingles before but I had chicken pox when I was 2 years of age and I am now 51 years old in good health. On Sunday night I felt my upper back was itching so I scatched it as well as my upper chest. That morning I woke up to red blisters and scratch marks on my back, shoulder, and chest. I went to the dermatologist and she diagnosed with contact dermatitis and gave me steroids by mouth and a topical steroid ointment. I used that and my lesions spread and got worse. So I went to another doctor 2 days later and he diagnosed me with shingles.

Although I was now 96 hours out of first lesions he prescribed me Valtrex and Keflex for the lesions also looked like they had a superinfection of bacteria in addition to the shingles. I also was told to take benadryl for the itching which I took for a day then stopped after I started my 3 prong approach.

I went home and researched shingles and decided to create my own treatment plan that combined western medicine and homeopathic remedies for my lesions were red, irritated, itchy, and spreading.

I have been using this 3 prong plan for my shingles the past 48 hours and I no longer have pain or itching. Also the newer lesions are gone and the older lesions particularly the ones I initially scratched are healing. My plan is definitely improving the shingles.

1. TREAT INTERNALLY: I am taking the Valtrex as prescibed as well as finishing my course of antibiotics. In addition I am drinking Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water three times a day. I am taking 1000 mg Lysine three times a day.

2. TREAT EXTERNALLY: I soak a gauze pad with full strength Apple Cider Vinegar and place it directly on my lesions for 30 minutes three times a day. The Apple Cider Vinegar dries the lesions up and has gotten rid of the itching and pain. At night I place Virgin Organic Coconut Oil on the lesions and leave them exposed to air. Coconut oil totally soothes my skin and is helping with healing. It has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. LEAVE LESIONS ALONE: I keep clothing off of the lesions as much as possible (my lesions are on my neck, upper back, shoulder, and upper chest) so I wear a tube top to cover my breasts at home and when at work a lose top. I stopped the steroids all together for I felt the steroids by mouth were feeding the virus and the topical steroids were totally irritating my skin making it more red and burned.

With this treatment plan I feel energized with minimal pain and itching and my lesions are healing quickly.

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Sadie (Los Angeles, Ca) on 07/13/2014
★★★★★

I recently noticed a spot on my right eye brow. I thought it was a spider bite that had become infected, so I got some antibiotics. 2 Days later I notice small bumps and began to feel a tingling sensation. Then I knew it was shingles. I got the antiviral medicine from the Dr, but I actually started to feel worse after taking it. I did a google search and thankfully found this site. From everyone's recommendations I made a paste and the pain and sores started going away almost instantly.

Paste: 1 Tbs coconut oil

1 Tbs ACV

10 drops colloidal silver

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp DMSO

I put the paste on and let it sit for 10-15min. It burns, but it's a good burn. I think adding in aloe would help, but I didn't have any. Then rinse.

Then I mixed ACV with 10 drops eucalyptus oil and dabbed that on the sores. Again it burns, but it's more like a cooling burn.

Within 2 hours the pain was almost gone and the sores had gone down by almost half. It's been 36 hour now and some of the sores are completely gone and the others are on their way out. This really saved me some anguish. Good luck to everyone!

Epsom Salt

Posted by Kenneth (Beach Lake, Pa) on 07/12/2014
★★★★★

For Shingles Blisters, use hot bath with EPSOM SALT and bathe 15-30 minutes twice a day first week, second week once per day and away they go. For Shingles Itch, hot water compresses (hot as you can stand) from heated water in pot. A 5-10 minute cycle, once or twice per day as needed and you get relief.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sam (Florida, US) on 06/25/2014

Agree. A friend of mine got diagnosed with Lymphoma after a severe case of shingle.The only problems with it that it adds fear, the cause of many body malfunctions itself.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Timh (KY) on 06/25/2014 2042 posts

Laurie: Alpha Lipoic Acid or Thioctic Acid would very likely help as a nerve protector as well as heavy metal chelator (many vaccines contain small amounts of mercury which is very toxic to nerves). The compound BHT, the herb St Johnswort is anti-viral.

Chronic or recurring Shingles is a definite sign of immune dysfunction or sometimes cancer. Definitely do some detox remedies found here on E.C. Immune boosting remedies fallowing detox will be necessary. Purify your air & water. Alkalizing remedies will likely be necessary as acidosis is both the result of many conditions as well as further aggravating any condition.

Try and get some basic cancer screenings for safety sake.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 06/24/2014

Licorice extract by Natures Answer...Put in on three times a day all over the infected area. It will be gone in 3 days...If you get it the first day it appears, it will dissappear the same day...Cheap fix for $8.95

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 06/24/2014

To Laurie,

From Poplar Springs,

Re shingles.

Of course caused by a virus...and the things you are taking have some anti viral value. But for shingles I have successfully taken colloidal silver and added in DMSO and applied topically. Three applications using the combo as a poultice for 20 minutes on affected area. If condition is long term, there may be nerve damage and so even though the virus is killed, the damaged nerves continue; in which case I use Calcium AEP (google "nutrition review calcium aep")... Dr Robert Adkins' favorite go to for his MS patient's neuropathy and nerve rebuilding capacity. Acts on the cellular level.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Laurie (Poplar Bluff, Mo) on 06/24/2014
★☆☆☆☆

I am 53 years old and have shingles 5 times. The Dr convinced me to have the vaccine which I did 4 months ago. I did not break out with the rash this time just fever blisters around and in mouth, but have had EXTREME nerve burning pain that is nearly debilitating at times. I have tried acupuncture, lysine, coconut capsules, ACV, so far NO relief.The Pain IS horrible in the middle of my back clear around to front of ribs, my naturopath says it is my gallbladder channel (which I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago) ANY suggestions would be appreciated.

L-Lysine and Vitaminc

Posted by Kelly (Us) on 05/18/2014

UPDATE - I ADDED liquid vitamin B12 by Now & it includes B-Complex also- 2x/day. This has made a significant difference.

Clove Oil

Posted by Rebel (Somewhere Usa) on 05/14/2014

I should mention, I DID NOT have shingles. Just pain in spine and throat area.

Clove Oil

Posted by Rebel (Somewhere Usa) on 05/14/2014
★★★★★

Since shingles virus live in the spine, if I had shingles I would rub from the base of my skull to my lower back down the spine, with a few drops of clove oil. I do not know if this will help or not. But I have in the past had very bad pains in my spine and in my throat and rubbed both places with clove oil and it went away very over night. If I had sensitive skin, I would maybe dilute the clove oil. I don't have sensitive skin so I use full strength.

I believe somewhere on here Ted speaks of spinal virus and clove oil.

L-Lysine and Vitaminc

Posted by Kelly (Us) on 05/14/2014
★★★★☆

I am 62 and I believe my shingles are from stress. I immediately stated the L-lysine and vit c - 1000 mg each 3x/day. after 2 weeks of very little sleep, I added vicks vapor rub to the area of pain and then wrapped it snugly with a wide ace bandage. Also I added homeopathic remedy phosphorus 30c. finally in the middle of the 3rd wk I have actually had less pain and 6.5 hrs of undisturbed sleep! I think due to intense prayer and the above remedies I am on the upside of this nightmare. I hope my post is helpful to someone. Blessings.

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Judyl (Philadelphia) on 05/01/2014
★★★★★

I just submitted a post in gratitude for the suggested remedies. However - I didn't realize that I wasn't signed in - since I had just registered. So please review my post as a registered participant. There was only one suggestion of the many that I printed out that recommended eucalyptus oil. Someone suggested V-Vax years ago and it was amazing in healing a damaged toe. So I dug it out and tried it again. It was so much more effective than apple cider vinegar. I like ACV as a remedy for other ailments but there was no comparison on my skin. I am so grateful to have been able to eliminate the pain within a week and heal my skin so quickly. At the age of 63 I have resisted getting the shingles vaccine even though I've had a couple of friends who have suffered from Shingles. I am so happy to have found a remedy that I can easily share with others :)

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Judyl (Philadelphia) on 05/01/2014
★★★★★

I found this site via Google and was very grateful for all the ideas on how to relieve the painful symptoms and rash associated with Shingles. I'm normally very healthy but had become run down about 2 weeks ago when I discovered I had a rash, then pain - after considerable research on medical and holistic websites it became obvious I had shingles, given my age, photos of rashes and a drawing that explained the nerve pain in my skin. Thanks to the ideas from this site and dietary guidance I have skirted this scourge by using the following suggested remedies - L-Lysine, Vitamin C, Multi Vitamin B, Beta Glucan (immune booster), Olive Leaf - all taken internally in large doses without delay. The tip on eucalyptus oil prompted me to use my brand of Eucalyptus oil, V-Vax, which friends who are nurses urged me to get years ago. It was amazing - reducing the pain, redness, blisters and healing the skin on my right hip and low back. Though I like apple cider vinegar, it didn't compare to eucalyptus oil. So in gratitude to those who shared their stories, I contribute mine to help those who are similarly afflicted by Shingles. We don't need to suffer - there are remedies that can alleviate both the painful symptoms and bring us back to health sooner than later.