Exploring Natural Remedies and Supportive Care for Shingles

Coconut Oil

Posted by Hot House Flower (Albuquerque) on 07/17/2016
★★★★★

I had shingles about a year ago after a long stressful year of overworking my body. At the time I did not know what was wrong with me. What I was experiencing was tingling and nerve pain in my left arm and I could not figure out what it was. I did not have health insurance at the time so I did not go to see a doctor. But judging from what others have said about the meds that doctors give for shingles it is probably a blessing that I did not go see a doctor. I never had an outbreak because once the tingling and nerve pain began I started putting a mixture of essential oil mixed with coconut oil on my left side of my body, many times a day to calm the nerves. I never broke with anything but I was left with nerve pain and a weakness in the left arm and left leg and also tingling. For the most part the shingles was under control, then about a year later, it began to come back. Then I had a pre-stroke and that really scared me because I was getting electrical shocks constantly. I still not knowing what I was suffering, I did a parasite cleanse which helped a lot and I continued to eat organic. I was no longer getting tingling or electrical shocks but I still had weakness and nerve pain in my left side. By chance, I bought some Frankincense resin and began to make lotions using coconut oil and Frankincense resin. I began putting this on my left side of my body especially on my glands and nerve paths. Slowly over a 5 month period the pain and weakness began to leave my body. I feel mostly recovered.

Folic Acid, Lysine, Vitamin C

Posted by Monika (Poland) on 07/17/2016
★★★★★

"800mg of Folic Acid, 1500mg of Lysine and 2000mg (minimum) of Vitamin C"

WOW! This workes so well! Thank you very much.

Essential Oils

Posted by Mrsg (Fl ) on 06/29/2016
★★★★★

I am 50 years young and I just had my first experience with shingles. The symptoms started very low key about a week before with loss of appetite, a little nauseous, feeling tired. Then started with a very painful right shoulder pain that made it almost impossible to sleep. Two days later, I felt like I had severe flu symptoms, chest pains, headache, my skin feeling sensitive to touch especially on my right arm. The same morning I also noticed some bumps along my right arm like ant bites. The next day the bumps turned red and the rash was spreading. I still did not think it was shingles because I've never had the chicken pox. By the next day the rash was still spreading, still had pain on my right shoulder and headaches. I was feeling miserable.. Finally went to the Urgent Care (Sunday) to be diagnosed with shingles. Was given three prescriptions including Valtrex and sent home.

I've been reading horror stories about the pain so I called my PCP and got my pain meds ready. After reading the posts here, I wrapped my arm with a small towel and sprayed Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and kept it moist.

At night I mixed coconut oil and tea tree oil and spread it on my arm. To go to work, I put a layer of the coconut-tea tree oil mixture, wrap a soft gauze, then an ace bandage. I also drank water with ACV.

Within four days after the initial rash appeared, my skin was already healing with scabs. No broken skin. Hardly any pain. I still took the prescription Meds, but I truly think the ACV and coconut-tea tree oil mix helped in my recovery time.

Red Marine Algae

Posted by Gaya (Miami) on 01/13/2016
★★★★★

Shingles:

Red Marine Algae took away my nerve stabbing pain in about 36 hours. Take at least 4 tabs. It also stops the spread and cuts the life span. I'm 90% better in just days.

Homeopathy

Posted by Zach (Rockport, Ma) on 01/09/2016
★★★★★

Remedy for Shingles: ranunculus bulbosus 30x. Took it two times two hours apart. Then every 6 hrs. At least 15 min before or after eating. I avoid any of the mints (including in toothpaste), garlic and coffee to not neutralize the remedy.

Relief end of first day.
Gone next day.

When starting to get some mild tingling a week later repeated remedy with good effect.

Shingles can re-occur so I make sure I have remedy in house. Will have to get remedy special order-not one that is regularly stocked at health food store. I used a 30x. Perhaps a 30c will also work. Other homeopathic remedies that are noted on the web as being helpful include; rhus tox, mezereum and arsenicum among others. I,

Of course, try to limit stress-its not worth it.

Good luck.

Aspirin in Water Based Cream

Posted by Art (California ) on 01/02/2016 2443 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

If the coconut oil doesn't work for shingles, try ground up aspirin mixed into a water-based cream. The cheap uncoated aspirin that dissolves quickly in water works for me.

It not only gives quick pain relief, it slows viral replication when applied topically because the localized concentration is much higher than you can get from taking aspirin orally at the highest recommended dose according to these studies below.

Aspirin is antiviral.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1594261

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11273312

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11703529

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9812322

Art

Antifungal Cream for Ringworm

Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 01/02/2016
★★★★★

After reading your post, I searched for some antifungal cream and didn't have anything but Lamisil on hand. My husband didn't want to try that and then I remembered I bought some soap at Amazon for ringworm. I had about 6 bars of that. He tried it and the pain was gone immediately. He is going to wash with it once an hour to try to kill this. This has been going on for 3 months and we had done the ACV compresses and beverages. We also had the antiviral drugs and steroids. Thanks for your tip! I hope it helps him get over this.

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.

Calamine Lotion

Posted by Michelle (Va) on 10/04/2015
★★★★☆

It is also nonsense to think you have to be 60+ to get shingles.. I'm in my 40s, and am suffering shingles in my neck and shoulder. The ER didnt think I was old enough for it and gave me a steroid for pain.. needless to say that onset the rash quicker/stronger.. Calamine lotion dried up the rash in 2-3 days but the pain is still terrible.

Clay

Posted by Danny (Toronto, Canada) on 10/03/2015
★★★★★

I had shingles on my back over thirty years ago.

I have a book Our Earth Our Cure. It suggested to use a clay poultice on the area. I went to the Heath food store and bought regular powdered clay. You take a glass or ceramic bowl, put some clay in the bottom and cover with tap water.Let it sit for a couple of hours. Get a white piece of cotton cloth and put some clay on it with a wooden spoon ( no metal ). Place the cloth on the affected area. Since it was on my back I used one of those elastic bandages and wound it around my body.Keep it on overnight and re-apply in the morning. Within 24 hours the pain disappeared.

I kept it up for a whole month and have never had any recurrences since then.

Folic Acid, Lysine, Vitamin C

Posted by Debbie (Syracuse, Ny) on 10/02/2015
★★★★★

I used a supplements too, and it has pretty much eliminated my shingles rash. 2000 mg daily of lysine for 3 days, then 500 mg in the a.m. and p.m. daily, Liposomal vitamin C 2000 mg ever 2 hours for the first 2 weeks, natural vitamin E 400 mg 2x daily, B-12 twice daily, moducare 2 caps three x daily for 1 week, then one capsule twice daily, vitamin D 5000 mg daily. I used bentonite clay on the blisters and they had drained in 2 days, then started using Emuaid max salve 2 x daily to heal the rash. They are looking real good, but still have to take pain meds for the underlying pain. I hope this pain goes away soon.

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine

Posted by Lori (South Florida) on 09/03/2015
★★★★★

Just realized I'm having a shingles outbreak on my inner thigh. Haven't had one in 10 yrs. Immediately took 1000mg of L-lysine and Vitamin C. Put apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and put it on the rash for a few moments. Will come back to update.

9/7/15 UPDATE: Since 9/3 I've been taking 500mg L-lysine twice a day and using Apple Cider Vinegar on the rash twice a day on a cotton ball for a few seconds. Can say the rash is drying up! A few minutes after using ACV the pain and itch goes away for most of the day. It's working!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Santafeumber (Maine) on 09/02/2015
★★★★★

I just experienced a pretty good outbreak of shingles (torso/back) . after reading earthclinic and some others, I decided to give the ACV a try.

Twice a day, I showered the area of shingles gently and patted dry with a clean towel each time. spray bottle of ACV and gently sprayed the area entirely. I then allowed it to dry naturally.

After the area dried, I sprayed colloidal silver on the same way and while the silver was beginning to dry, I gently rubbed Colloidal silver gel on the entire area. I did the silver treatment several times a day, when I thought of it. the other applications were after the shower. I thought it would be helpful to keep the infected area clean.

Along with this, I began immediately taking L-lysine (2000MG) a day and began to watch my diet that leaned towards the L-argenine end (nuts, tomatoes, blueberries and more - there is a list online of what to avoid). also I began taking moderate doses of Vit C once a day, as well as 3 sublingual doses of colloidal silver -kept under the tongue several minutes -then spit out.

I was also told that soaking 1/4 organic flax seed in 1 cup of water overnight and straining off the seeds and drinking the water once a day is very helpful for the skin and hair. it actually tastes real good as well.

I did a brief 4 day turpentine cleanse(1 tspn dribbled over 3 dot sugar cubes once a day in the evening before bedtime) as explained by Dr. Jennifer Daniels. her instructions can be found online. I am not sure if this weighed in on my rapid healing, it very well may have. but please read her precautions carefully before trying. I use it for candida prevention and it just happened to be that time of the month while the shingle outbreak and cure was taking place.

In less than a week, the rash has subsided by over 60% and is fading, the swollen, puss filled bumps have slowly dried and are fading out of sight. I have been so amazed! I wanted to share it and I hope anyone that suffers from these outbreaks can benefit the way I have recently. just stick to the doses, and it all takes time, but worth it!

Once in awhile, I get those strange and hard to describe, nerve tingles and pains that are short lived. I have been able to sleep normally at nights too and without the pain (that was intense only for the first two nights before this treatment).

I have had shingles about 15 years ago, and knew nothing about natural cures and suffered the entire process, all sorts of medications that didn't help and ended up with some scarring.

I can tell that these are not going to scar at all after this treatment!

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.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Kenneth (Beach Lake) on 07/15/2015
★★★★★

Epsom Salt for Shingles

Do EPSOM SALT HOT COMPRESSES SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY, even eyebrows, scalp, bumps go down but return later day. Just keep doing, don't overheat & get blisters, likewise leg calves, & other areas of body. While damp, you could dust Baking Soda, BUT NOT THE EYES AREA.

Also, don't get EPSOM SALT Moisture in eyes. if do, RINSE IMMEDIATELY.

L-Lysine

Posted by Mark (Las Vegas) on 07/04/2015

Lysine can cause liver toxicity if taken too much. Read up on it.

L-Lysine

Posted by Michelle (United States) on 07/04/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My father had the worst outbreak of shingles ever seen by the local hospital.[he is diabetic, so immune compromised] I started him on 1000 mg of lysine, daily. He experienced rapid healing, and with one daily has experienced no further outbreaks. This also works for oral herpes, if taken at first sign of tingling- 2 1000 mg to start, then 1 cap 2x daily for one week.

Tea Bag Treatment

Posted by Bobmike (Arkansas) on 06/07/2015
★★★★★

Shingles was breaking out bad, was in pain and they were getting worse. Just remembered that shingles is a herpes type virus, so last time I had a cold sore, I used a tea bag on it, (heated the bag in a half cup hot water then cooled it down first) it knocked my cold sores immediately, so I thought "could it also work on shingles??" It does work!!! And it is not a painful treatment!

I just took a tea bag, put it in some hot water in a cup, then let it steep for 3 or 4 minutes, then took out the bag, let it cool down and laid the wet tea bag right on the blistered area for 5 or 10 minutes, I also took 2 or 3 lysine tablets and let them dissolve in the tea water. I also soaked paper towel in this liquid and laid it on the blisters now and then. Already, they are drying up!! There is a new separation of healthy skin now between some of them. What was a very angry painful area this morning, is now way less painful, way less red, way less swollen. There is a white area of skin around the lesions where it is healing now. I can stand to run my hand over it now and this morning, that would have been agony!

Tea bags cooled, applied and I did put some lysine in the tea water, but I think the tea bags alone would do the trick! Yeah, and no pain and it is fast fast fast!! Glad I remembered by cold sore trick. This is something I wanted to share because, I would hate for people to suffer another day, when they have tea bags right in the cabinet! You can use black tea or green tea.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lysine

Posted by Earthgurl (Northern Virginia) on 06/02/2015
★★★★★

I had to tell you my experience curing shingles. Organic apple cider vinegar on a cloth compressed onto the area. I also took L-Lysine. My doctor was blown away! No thanks Big Pharma. Thanks to this community! Keep in mind that is what worked for me. Everyone is different.

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

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.

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.