Shingles
Natural Remedies

Exploring Natural Remedies and Supportive Care for Shingles

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.
How To Avoid Shingles
Posted by Marsh (Colorado) on 03/06/2024
★★★★★

Our young daughter-in-law just came down with painful shingles. I've forwarded your recommendations (prayers she puts some to use). I've been hesitant to have the shingles shot due to low immunity. Are there any suggestions to KEEP FROM getting shingles? My mom said that as an infant, my older sister and brother brought chicken pox home from school, but I never had any symptoms/rash/blisters. She even took me to the doctor to make sure!

How To Avoid Shingles
Posted by Marsh (Colorado) on 04/29/2024

Thanks "Mama". Your recommendations on board! What's your thought on this: My girlfriend awoke with shingles 3 weeks ago. It's been brutal - excruciting pain along her Trigeminal nerve, 3 ER visits (she's been there since 6am today), Gabapentin, botox injected into her scalp, a host of other scary drugs that have helped for a day or two. I'm wondering if the fillers and botox she injects herself with frequently could be part of the problem, or one of her 3 facelifts. Her painful episodes are enough to almost sign up for Shingrex.


L-Lysine
Posted by Joseph (Stockton, CA) on 09/26/2021 73 posts

So you used lysine to help shingles, however there is not a Dosage that I can see. Please let me know of dosage. My 53 yr old contracted shingles 10days ago, however 3 days ago we learn they were shingles, he is a vet and is currently taking the ointment (Bactroban) Valtrex and Monohydrate (monodox). His current problems are: itchiness at site of rash (right side of face) pain at side of rash, right ear pain intermittently. If you need anti-itch cream when do you apply when he uses the ointment 2X daily? Will the basic little tube be uused enough or will he need more ointment? Any other info would be greatly appreciated since he has OCD & Schizoaffective.


Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Debby (Monroe) on 09/15/2021

Hi, I am 63 and medication isn't stopping the spread. How much eucalyptus and how much hemp oil. Can I use jojoba oil instead. Thanks Debby


DMSO and Magnesium Oil
Posted by Roxie (Grand Rapids, Michigan) on 07/19/2022

I just read that dmso with oran (urine) works better than dmso alone. Still have to look into it, but Amanda Vollmer, who wrote a book about dmso, mentioned it in a thread on Facebook.
Worth checking out, I guess if it helps.


Shingles Vaccination in Elderly
Posted by Leona T. (MN) on 10/07/2019
★☆☆☆☆

My 94 year old dad got shingles November 2018. It got into his eye. He has been doctoring with it since. He still has haze over his cornea today. My question is should he get the new shingles shot?


Coconut Oil, Carrots
Posted by Trish (Juda, Wi ) on 04/13/2018

I was diagnosed with shingles on Monday this week. I have had the rash for a week now, no blisters yet. It stretches from my spine under my shoulder blade to my sternum like a belt all the way around. Very uncomfortable. I have toughed it out for a while, but the past few days the pain is so terrible. Deep muscle pain like I was severely bruised from arm pit to hip, front, back all the way round. Terrible pain. I am taking the prescribed anti virals and nerve blocking pain meds, but the exhaustion and pain is keeping me from everything. I am also concerned about spreading this to myself on other parts of my body and also my kids and husband. I also read to mix baby aspirin and bag balm together and apply to the rash, their rash healed in three days, what do you think? I am also going to try eating the coconut oil as I use this quite a bit, so do I eat 2 tablespoons at one time? What other things do you recommend?


Lysine, Olive Leaf
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 10/08/2016

Hi Angee,

If you have not yet tried lemon water, that is a whole lemon juiced in about two cups of water, give it a try. When I added this the tingly feeling left.

I had the shingles rash on my leg. I used the same helps you did and maybe a few more. Like a baking soda and water paste to get rid of the initial pain and itch. I also used Castor Oil which was very soothing for my leg. When the pain finally made it exit between supplements and all the Lemon water chased the tingly feeling. A

I still had a few threatening bumps and when I would eat the wrong food or supplement the bumps would start to itch again. Not as painful as at first so did not take anymore lysine.

What I got was a stronger Olive Leaf than I had, this one with 20% Oleuropen. I also put some Hydrogen Peroxide in a spray bottle. I sprayed rash with Hydrogen Peroxide morning and evening. Then I would spread on the Caster Oil. The rash is not to be seen at all. That took about two week to get rid of remaining bumps. And I still drink my lemon water.

HisJewel


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.


Monolaurin, Vitamin C
Posted by Michael (Mobile, Ala) on 08/17/2015
★★★★★

Several years ago on a Thursday morning, my left forehead developed some bumps and started itching.as the day wore on, the itching not only got worse but started weeping ooze.

Then came the pain. Not very good with all three happening at the same time. Next morning doctor says shingles with a prescription of lower tabs. Saturday called up local health food store. Owner says sure no problem come on down.

Wife went down, picked up a supplement called monolaurin and some vit c. Took vit c every half hour (over half dozen) and three monolaurin every hour.

Monday morning got off the lower tabs because pain was gone. By Thursday weeping had stopped. Monday went back to doc who stated I could go back to work. Itching gone. Next was the creepy crawlers, that took longer. About a month. Just kept taking both products until both bottles gone. No more creepy crawlers.

Monolaurin, Vitamin C
Posted by Donna (Phoenix, Az) on 02/04/2017

What are creepy crawlers, whatever it was that followed your shingles?


Monolaurin, Vitamin C
Posted by HisJewel (America, New York) on 02/05/2017

Hi Donna,

I think its a tingly feeling from being acidic.

As I finished my first bout with Shingles, which I fought mainly with Hydrogen Peroxide, Castor oil and Olive Leaf capsules, I had a similar experience as Michael of Mobile Ala. I thought of it as a tingly feeling, what ever it was, I used a borax hair wash to calm my scab.

The interesting thing I drank a lemon drink, my fake smoothie, a whole lemon with a glass of water in blender skin and all. and the tingly feeling left never to return. Well I did start drinking that lemon drink most days.

I wondered if perhaps I was to acidic, and if that was the cause of the tingly feeling. Whatever the reason the Lemon water was the answer for me.

HisJewel


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.


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.

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

How long did you leave the magnet on?


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Anna (Ny) on 04/25/2015

I thought anti-biotics did not help as shingles is viral. Why are you taking them? Want to know, cause I am trying to make a plan also. Thanks


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 09/29/2015

My husband was prescribed an antibiotic because he had pus oozing out of his nose area. It's a sign of infection.


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.

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 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 Mary (Little Rock, Ar) on 10/15/2016

Lidocaine patches and creams that contains lidocaine should help ease the pain.


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.


Shingles Vaccine
Posted by Anne (Arcata, Ca) on 03/02/2014

Had shingles on head, in hair, but it began with an odd red welt looking like a mosquito or spider bite on my neck (painless, itchless). They say if they diagnose it within a day or two, from this welt, they have a treatment to lessen it. I have my doubts, though. Acupuncture through an acupuncturist/herbalist that knows Chinese herbs would be something I would try right away, also, if living where there was one.

I tried apple cider vinegar on it once, but it did not work. The scalp was soggy already. I used rose water which gave temporary (only) relief. Getting a bonnet for your blow dryer to dry it if usng Apple Cider Vinegar would be a plus. Maybe internally, but I feel if I had not been run down and maybe short on vitamin c and others, but stressed and run-down from the stress, it would not have taken hold in my case. Drying the scalp might have helped, Also, to protect hair follicles, taking remedies and vits. to help hairloss if it occurs later. Then, getting to bed early can do wonders to combat being run down. Hair-skin vitamins.

Vitamins for hair are a must if it is on the head. I made the mistake of getting the new shingles vaccination about 2 years later. That was about the time I started losing hair. The vaccination made me feel a little like I had it again. I cannot blame my hair loss all on one thing. It could have been partly from vit. C deficiency and Fukishima fallout. It has been largely stopped with vitamin and even culinary herb supplements and oil treatments (castor oil). Also, plus various things I can do to increase circulation in the scalp.

The vaccination for it was probably the final straw as far as the alopecia coming on. I would definitely not ever take another.


Vitamin C
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 12/18/2013

I have seen other posts here that this product is effective for shingles.

http://www.durhamsbeefarm.com/h/11/wondersalve-shingles-treatment.htm

I hope you get some relief soon. Also, look under the "Ailments" tab on Earth Clinic under "Shingles" and see other suggestions for what has helped others. Best wishes.


Vitamin C
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 12/18/2013

Mark: Get Wonder Salve. Read the reviews.


Vitamin C
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 12/01/2016

Interesting because it seemed that vitamin C Caused my flare ups.

Before my first patch of pimples I had been taking 3 grams of vitamin C quite a while for one reason or another. I had no idea it was Shingles at the time. but after a while everytime I would take the Vitamin C, the patch would itch. So I stopped taking the large dose of C. I went down to a 500mg now and then with little or no problem.

Let me give an excerpt from my post on Shingles I sent to Tina in the Apple section back in August and put it in the Shingles Section.

Excerpt from the Apples Remedies Section:

I have been silently fighting shingles for several months. (mostly with Hydrogen Peroxide and Castor oil, Olive Leaf capsules, and Lysine). But the shingles seemed to have left a Tingly feeling. My scalp felt itchy (so I washed with backing soda the itch would leave a while), and even my face felt tingly. I have never experienced anything like it in my life.

A few details that was not mentioned in that post. Something triggered that batch of pimples on my leg to a painful point till they became blisters. Right here I want to give Baking Soda a shout out, Because it was the Baking Soda Paste made with a couple drops of cold water that initially took the pain away.

What happen on the first day that the blisters came out, I covered them with iodine. The wrong move was I really covered them. I put the iodine on it and wrapped it up pain and all. The next day when I removed the rolled gauze the blisters were flat and my skin was burnt.

When I checked with Earth Clinic and other sites, and found out about using ice cold water, or a Baking Soda paste, and a few other suggestions. I did the Baking Soda paste a couple of days as it was very calming. It took the itch away. When I would remove the baking Soda, I rubbed on Castor Oil. When the pain was gone. I used the Castor oil and Hydrogen Peroxide to finish the work. My skin healed nicely, I can't tell it was ever burnt. What may be important info for someone, is that he whole lemon juiced in water cured the tingling feeling. I did put a little baking soda in it. I guess a regular drink alkalizing drink of lemon and Baking Soda could do the same. Tina was talking of juicing a whole lemon in a smoothie, when I tried it the tingling feeling from the shingles went. Bam!

I have been done with the shingles a few months now, no pimples, no pain. However, when I started a heavy dose of C to chase a threatening cold. The cold was quickly averted. I have been taking the high does of C about Five days now. And, I can feel a burning where the patch of shingles once was.

Do anyone know if high doses of vitamin C can cause a Shingles flare up? Thanks for your time and shared knowledge.

HisJewel


Vitamin C
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 12/04/2016

Greetings TimH,

Would you happen to know if large dose of vitamin C causes Shingles flare ups? Thanks you in advance for your kindness, help and advice.

HisJewel


Vitamin C
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 12/06/2016 2048 posts

You are welcome HJ. Remember the old ND saying "Good health begins in the gut". Since most of our immune system or cells is in the gut, chronic infection like Shingles flareups, can be cured by improving the gut.

Also on the list for improving intestinal health is L-Glutamine and Probiotics, but be sure to start with my previous suggestion to insure the healing process, and not end up treating symptoms. Also for immune health and chronic infection is Zinc deficiency (very common), so consider supplementing a minimal Zinc/Copper.


Vitamin C
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 12/07/2016

Okay Timh

I will follow these instructions. And prayerfuly will flee Shingles altogether.

Sincere Thanks.

HisJewel


Vitamin C
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 01/27/2017

Happy, Healthy, Year, That's the Plan!

Greetings Timh, Mama To Many and Everyone,

Timh you ask me to let you know how it went concerning the vitamin C,

Well the good news is I'm back up to an occasional 2000 to 3000 vitamin C and shingles flare ups . Now I buffer the C with a bit of baking soda water. To add a little more info, the C that I was taking was an already buffered and powered C, however I have not gone back to that. But instead now I am taking the tablets and baking soda water.

At the time I had the last flare up I dropped anything else I though may have contributed to the shingles flare up. I am sure stress and revisitiation from child hood diseases had a lot to do with as Mama To Many mentioned.

My hope was that if I stayed away from the Chocolate and Nuts when I did not have the Lysine to balance the Arginine that shingles would not come looking for me.

Well the shingles still found me. Maybe I had arginine and did not realize it. Any way Shingles always seemed to flare when I had an extra dose of C. So in posing the question to EC this is what I was able to follow from Timh advice: I started working on my digestive system. Started back taking my probiotics, I bought and started taking Zinc, I already use BSM which has enough copper, I did not have oil of oregano, but put my olive leaf back to work. For L - Gultamine I started buying and eating raw purple Cabbage, which also made a great snack. I did not buy the Colloidal Silver but all seems to be much better concerning my fight with shingles.

So the blessing of extra C is back with me. I will continue to work on my gut by eating watchfully.

Thanks again EC, Mama To Many, Timh, and Everyone.

HisJewel


Vitamin C
Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 01/31/2017

Thanks, Timh.


Licorice Extract
Posted by Grannyguru (Az, Usa) on 11/03/2013
★★★★☆

The licorice root extract did not get rid of the shingles blisters, though it did seem to help the areas of skin and muscle which only had tiny red spots.

There it made the area generally feel less swollen and more returned to "normal" tissue.

Prior to that what had worked best was calamine lotion. However my initial experience with calamine lotion made me search further:

The initial application of calamine lotion really helped, though it is VERY messy to apply to the calf and shin and ankle. Almost immediately, I got relief and the large ugly blisters stopped weeping and seemed to become inactive and dry up.

The next day the rash was nearly gone. So I spred the lotion over the area again. The result was that the (shingles) infection appeared all over the area covered with lotion, so I stopped using the calamine.

I don't think I knew it was shingles at that time.

I tried apple cider vinegar and various other "remedies" but nothing really helped.

I believe the calamine lotion only seemed to spread the shingles, but really the shingles were just in the middle of blasting my leg with the outbreak.

Since the calamine did dry up the blisters, I tried it again. It provided relief and dried up the blisters, but it also made the areas with only small blisters or sensitive to touch, dry beyond reason.

So while it allieviated the pain from the large blisters, walking made the rest of the area covered with calamine lotion feel as if the skin was being ripped off for a while each time I had to walk.

The licorice root extract does not do that. It made the areas with only tiny blisters or no blisters feel better, with no or little pain when touched. It seemed to make the tiniest of blisters there go away, but it did not get rid of small blisters or the large blisters.

I am now past the 3rd day of using the licorice root extract. I am going to go back to using the calamine lotion, at least on the large blisters.

Arrgghhhh!!!!!

Licorice Extract
Posted by Bob Loblaw (USA) on 11/03/2013

I hope you're applying the licorice 3 or 4 times a day...?


Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne
Posted by Bill (Ga) on 12/05/2017

how much Apple Cider Vinegar should I add to the bottle?


Licorice Extract
Posted by Kilee (Ontario, Canada) on 04/04/2014

Mr Ree from Usa Thank for your suggestion that I try licorice extract for shingles. I am over four months into this , left with the horrible scarring and the nerve pain that just goes on and on. Do you think the licorice extract will still work this late in? If you think so , I will definitely give it a try. thank you , Kilee


Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Noell (Aiken, Sc) on 08/14/2013
★★★★★

For Shingles, I found that using tabasco rather than ground cayenne worked best for me. It is emulsified cayenne with vinegar and doesn't leave ground pepper all over where you dabbed it. I used it with the DMSO and my blisters were gone in two days, now I am just dealing with the little scabs drying up and shedding off, only 1 or two new single spots that are gone the next day, with no pain. Thank goodness mine were hidden in my hair, nasty stuff!!


Coconut Oil
Posted by Meghan (Mississippi/usa) on 06/18/2013

At 21, I was diagnosed with shingles yesterday for the 1st time ever and am devastated. I want it gone ASAP. I read almost all of these remedies. I just drank a shot of orange juice mixed with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Followed by a mixture of green tea, with 2 tablespoons coconut oil and 2 tablespoons ACV. I threw up in the trash can before I even finished the cup. It was so disgusting and all that mixed did not settle well at all. I would not recommend drinking any of that and I doubt it helps much, if any. I think I'm just going to stick with applying it to the blistered area from now on!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Idalia (Kissimmiee, Fl/oceola) on 01/05/2013
★★★★★

I mixed organic coconut oil with vitamin E oil and palmer's olive butter formula since it was all the stuff I had at hand and I was desperate since I was itching really bad, I made the mixture and instantly I felt relief I am on acyclovir 800Mg tables


Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Tabitha (Kennewick, Wa) on 11/18/2013

How long should I leave the cayenne paste on my rash? Please get back to me as soon as u can cuz im in a whole lot of pain.


Bleach
Posted by Josie (Columbia, Maryland) on 11/22/2012
★☆☆☆☆

I thought my case of shingles was poison oak and put cortisone cream on for two days as that had cleared up a case of poison oak (that I had for 2-3 months) in 3-4 days. But the cortisone was not working so I went to see my doctor and he said I had shingles. I had experienced more blistering from putting diluted clorox on my poison oaked areas and I smelled like clorox too all day long. This was a popular remedy I saw on the internet. So I was glad when I got the cortisone cream to heal my poison oak. Now I will have to be as persisitenet with this shingles. It's been the year of rashes for me.

The reason I mention the diluted clorox is that the dermatologist my doctor consulted with also on the shingles recommended a diluted clorox bath but I think it could spread the blisters like it did with the poison oak so I am not going to try this.


Dietary Changes, Supplements
Posted by Ester (Glendale, Arizona, Usa) on 10/30/2012
★★★★★

When you have shingles, you want to AVOID chocolate and nuts!! It literally feeds the virus! Also, you want to take a lot of B vitamins (B-12, B-6, etc.) it will seriously help!


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!


Vitamin C
Posted by Jennifer (Raleigh, Nc) on 06/25/2012
★★★★★

I went to the doctor with a fist sized rash, and was told shingles... The whole mess started with deep muscle itching in my leg for a week, then I thought I scratched the skin and had an infection/rash. There were also two bumps on the sole of my heel that made it painful to walk-- the doctor listened to my description of events and except for the heel thing, diagnosed shingles right away. She thought maybe the heel break out was because the nerves in the heel are connected down the leg. She prescribed Valtrex, I refused steroids. I wasn't really in any pain. I filled the scrip and then went home and googled it.

Everything I looked at and read said I was in for 6 weeks or longer of intense pain, seeping sores and so on... Yikes, I could not take even a week off work!

I read about Vitamin C and started taking 1000mg at different intervals from the Valtrex, 3X a day for Valtrex and 4X a day for the Vitamin C. I applied Caladryl (calamine lotion with itch reliever) to my rash as needed, about 3 times a day. I was back at work after three days.

I never got open sores from the rash, just bumps. I did get more rash and bumps, some would go away and others came, up and down my upper thigh (and butt), but I did not experience weeping sores or have intense pain, and was walking fairly normally after three days. The bumps on my heel stayed dark, but hurt less to walk on.

I think it was the vitamin C, but I did not stop taking the Valtrex. I didn't seem to take enough Vitamin C to cause diarrhea, just loose stool one day. Another thing with the C, it seemed to calm me down a little bit. I work on my feet 12 hours a day 5 or 6 days a week as a restaurant manager, and have never been good at sitting still, but the C, I think, might have calmed me a bit.



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