How to Treat Shingles With Natural Remedies

Herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox, and its symptoms may be exhibited in adulthood after a dormant period. These symptoms include fever, headache, stomach ache, chills, pain, an itchy red rash and pus-filled blisters. Shingles typically clear up in a matter of weeks, but outbreaks can cause extreme discomfort and physical misery. Your doctor may prescribe drugs like Valtrex, Zovirax and Prednisone to help reduce symptoms, but there are also natural remedies that can help.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Drink up to 3 to 4 cups of green tea daily. Its antiviral properties can contribute to relieving symptoms.

2. Take Arsenicum album, a homeopathic remedy used to treat the burning sensation associated with shingles. Strength and dosage should be 30c for three days, twice daily. After that, reduce the strength to 12c until you see improvement. As soon as improvement occurs, stop use. If this remedy does not work for you, try Rhux toxicodendron, Clematis erecta or Apis mellifica. A homeopathic practitioner can better advise you on which remedy is suitable for you.

3. Use herbs which promote healing. These include alfalfa, red clover, cayenne, dandelion, astragalus root, burdock and echinacea. Always check for any possible drug interactions before you consider taking these herbs.

4. Use essential oils that help bring relief and healing, such as lemon, eucalyptus and bergamot. Mix a few drops of these oils with olive oil to dilute them to a safe strength, and put the mixture on your rash or blisters.

5. Sooth blisters by rubbing hydrogen peroxide on them with a sterile cotton ball. It can also keep the blisters from becoming infected. You can similarly dab on some organic apple cider vinegar.

Resources

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