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.
Herbs
Posted by Susanfrommontreal (Montreal, Canada) on 03/17/2012
★★★★★
Shingles: My husband had a severe case of shingles 3 years ago all over his upper body that lasted 3 months. The only way he could sleep was to wrap ice in a towel. We finally found a Dr who recommended a 9 step treatment at the hospital (injections in the spine) that finally worked along with a cream compound (xylotaine)
The shingles are back again (no more cream) but on his face this time. I had an herbal infusion made at a local shop that I read about with oak bark, sage, lady's mantle, oats, sweet clover& chamomile that I boilled, let cool and he used it as a compress. Itching gone. So far, so good.
Olive Leaf Extract
Posted by Quercus (Inland Empire, California ) on 02/12/2012
★★★★★
Have had shingles on and off for several years. What really seems to knock them out is olive leaf extract. Olive leaf has anti viral properties and brought me almost instant relief during the last outbreak. I have found using the standardized extract of 20% Oleuropein in 300 mg /3 times a day worked well. I have also found that the Zyrtec antihistamine helps with the uncontrollable itching. Diet/stress for me seems to cause an outbreak. Usually chocolate and nuts are factors. How long they last seems to depend on rest, diet and supplementation. Lysine, B & C vitamins along with the olive leaf extract really helps me.
Tagamet
Posted by Barbara (Montgomery, Al) on 12/06/2011
★★★★★
Several years ago when I had a near outbreak of shingles... Rash starting to appear and painful stinging sensation, I read in a health magazine that Tagamet, an over the counter acid reducer, could help with symptoms. It did! The symptoms went away in a few days.
Calendula Cream
Posted by Joan (Adelaide, South Aus) on 11/25/2011
★★★★★
My husband developed shingles two weeks ago. We have been using Calendula Cream which seems to have been very effective in healing them and easing pain. also taking zinc, vit C.
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
Herpetic Neuralgia Remedies
Posted by Donna (Susanville, California, Usa) on 09/28/2011
Two months ago I began having extremely strange symptoms in the clitoral area. Every day for the past 8 weeks I have had feelings of sensitivity, aching, pressure, stabbing pains, tingling, numbness and pinching in this area. Four weeks after these sympoms started, I developed several lesions or sores on the outer labia. My gynocologist took a culture of them and put me on Acyclover to treat herpes... Which I didn't know I had! Within 48 hours my symptoms lessened. I have almost completed the two week treatment and the sores have healed.
My doctor says that the other symptoms which I still have to a lesser degree are called "herpetic neuralgia" but didn't tell me if there was anything that could be done to help them go away. He wants me to stay on the Acyclovir for another 2-3 months. Is there anyone out there who has experienced the same thing and has some advice to help my body heal? I would really appreciate it, because this has literally turned my life upside-down!
Baking Powder Paste
Posted by Kay (In The Valley, Ca) on 08/08/2011
Was it baking powder or baking soda that you used? I don't think they are interchangeable. Thanks.
Homeopathy
Posted by Deborah (LA) on 08/21/2024
Arsecum album?
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Christine C. (Philippines) on 04/17/2018
Hello...I will try this...did not realize that Tabasco had other uses other than to spice up a pizza..thank you!
Black Tea
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 02/19/2017
I saw a corn remedy on here that involved ACV on a piece of bread. Attach it to the corn. I usually wear a Ziploc bag over my foot when using ACV.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Robert (Martinez, Ca) on 02/01/2010
★★★★★
Shingles
l-lysine maintainence dose of 500 mg. plus occasional 1/2 aspirin w/lysine.Tea using bitter mellon dried,1-2 tbsp.,(called bitter gourd or 'Gohyah' from Viet Nam), together with powdered 'huang lian jie du tang', 1 tsp.,per coffee size mug of hot water. Let steep & drink. Can refresh with hot water. Use cinnamon in tea to help with very bitter taste.Items avail online or at asian markets.This is direct successful usage. Another very potent chinese herbal is 'long dan xie gan wan'. This is very potent & used if above items are not successful, & also avail at asian market or online. Follow label or online directions.Mung bean gruel will help with detox.Use minerals,especially magnesium due to diuretic effects, also b-complex for fatigue. Search homeopathic creams or use calamine for topical use.Avoid hot spicy & acid forming foods.
Olive Leaf Extract
Posted by Diane (Uniontown, Pa ) on 08/30/2009
★★★★★
I had read a book about Olive Leaf extract, so when my son had shingles, he reluctantly took OLE. (He must have been desperate to try one of mama's remedies, haha) I wanted him to take two to four a day (500 mg is what we have on hand) but I can't say for sure how many he did take. All I know is that he improved quickly, (a few days) and hasn't had a problem with shingles after that.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/02/2023
Try capsaicin patches from the drug store.......not messy
DMSO, Stabilized Oxygen
Posted by Dianchilada (Santa Cruz, California) on 07/15/2009
★★★★★
DMSO thin layer at prodrome
Stabilized liquid oxygen 2 drops per 8 oz sip all day
colonic of 12 drops of stabilized liquid oxygen and 60 drops of water 5 to 1. 2times a day for three days
do procedure for three days
If you already have an outbreak you may experience more of an outbreak if you start procedure at prodrome then the shingles will not break out on the skin should clear episode in 72 hours shingles probably won't bother you again.
DMSO cured my shingles
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.
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!
Zostavax Vaccine
Posted by Diane (Philadelphia, Pa) on 10/26/2012
I was given the Zostavax Vaccine in early August. By mid-September, I had a small patch of shingles on my arm (about the size of a half dollar). Two weeks later (early October), a large fever blister broke out on the corner of my mouth. Two weeks later (mid-October), I had heart pain and palpitations. The heart pain went away, but the palpitations were so bad that I went to the emergency room - twice! Terrifying! According to cardio tests, my heart was fine, but I believe the heart palpitations are a reaction to the shingles virus and my body's fight against the invader (remember, this is a LIVE virus vaccine). While the doctors did not explicitly agree with me, they did not totally dismiss the thought that heart palpitations could be a side effect of this vaccine. I wish I had never gotten it...
Meanwhile, in seeing my distress, my sister suggested I take Alka Seltzer Gold (it must be the Gold as there's no aspirin in it) and It Worked! Within 15 minutes, the palpitations were gone! Hope this helps someone else.
Thanks EC for all your efforts to help others!
Zostavax Vaccine
Posted by Kate59 (Kingston, Ny, United States) on 11/16/2012
I am 53 and was recently diagnosed with shingles. Glad to have found this site! Right now I am typing this while slathered with a salve made today from Vit. E oil, aloe vera gel, cayenne pepper, 50 drops of pure essential eucalyptus oil and corn starch..... Covered with gauze bandages and a t-shirt. I haven't had any pain from this, but I am not taking any chances. I had used a homeopathic anti-pain cream when the area was aching everynight at bedtime. I didn't know the shingles were emerging. Oh, I just drank 1/4 cup ACV and chased it down with 500mg. of lysine and a teaspoon of raw honey.
About the vaccine: I totally agree that the chicken pox vaccine is causing the outbreak of so many with shingles. And after (of before) having shingles, unfortunately many people will get the vaccine. Who knows what new complications will arise.
I've been studying herbs, homeopathics, blood-type diets, macrobiotic diets, you name it. for 30 years! Problem is I was low on lysine, too much sugar, post-menopausal, recently had a stressful weather-related event in the northeast USA.
I consider this a wake-up call for me to eat right, build my immunity up once again and thrive!
Thanks everyone for some great information. This site is a keeper!
Zostavax Vaccine
Posted by Kate59 (Kingston, Ny, United States) on 11/19/2012
Update on my shingles: It's day 6 and I have been alternating ACV on gauze padsand Eucalyptus oil pats, and taking L-Lysine, my chinese anti-viral herbs, Vit. C, B-complex, Raw Honey with propolis, and drinking the ACV. Eating nutritiously, but sparingly as my appetite has decreased. My energy level began to improve on Day 5. This morning, I noticed scabbing on one of my larger blisters and drying on most of my rash. I have photographed the stages of my shingles and am keeping a log, as I want full documentation for the naysayers. After contemplation, I remembered I had fell on my tailbone On Oct. 27 and it hurt for a week until I got myself adjusted. Then with the power out for 5 days, I was somewhat emotionally stressed, but I really think the fall and my diet had the most to do with it.
This site is fantastic. I've read every single post on this site about shingles and taken the best as suggestions for myself. I am blessed that my pain level is low, but I think that may be because I don't use OTC or scripts, just homeopathy and herbs.
Black Salve
Posted by Kat (Drummond, Montana) on 10/20/2008
I just learned of black salve from a friend of mine who used it on a growth on her breast that looked like it had spider veins coming from it when xrayed. In 6 months time, when they re-xrayed that growth it was completely gone! I have psoriosis and am wondering if anyone has any info on me maybe trying this black salve on it
Black Salve
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/02/2023
After researching black salve, it is a very slippery slope.
L-Lysine
Posted by Marigold (Usa) on 12/17/2014
★★★★★
Absolutely! This worked for me!
Folic Acid, Lysine, Vitamin C
Posted by Capowrs5 (Davenport, Fl) on 10/08/2010
★★★★★
This 'cocktail' absolutely works! It's amazing.. The minute I felt an outbreak start, I took it and it was better the next day... No rash at all.
