13 Powerful Home Remedies For Shingles Treatment

Shingles is a painful skin rash with blisters. It is caused by zoster virus also called herpes zoster. Old people are most infected by this rash disease. When we get older our immune system become weak and that is the reason, shingles find its way on your skin. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again. But it is possible to get shingles more than once. As it is caused by virus, the effective natural shingles remedies will be very helpful in recovery.

Shingles rash can appear on leg, around the eye. As eye is very sensitive organ of human body you must take care when you are going for shingles removal in eyes. Don’t you worry I have listed most effective shingles remedies which will help you in fast recovery. In general, antiviral medication is prescribed to treat shingles painful rash.
Before we move ahead let me warn you that shingles are contagious so stay away from your loved ones if you have painful fluid filled blisters. And if you don’t have these yet then try to stay away from people who have blisters because you never know what caused that blister in it first place.

What are the possible causes which can trigger shingles ?

People who have suffered from chickenpox in the past are more to get shingles. As when you suffer from chickenpox the virus causing it get suppressed after medication and it stays in dormant state. But when we get old our immune system might not remain strong as it was when we were young. After being in your nerve for so many years these virus changes it chemical composition and form zoster virus. Below are some causes which can trigger shingles or active those sleeping virus.

• Weak immune system.
• Injury : causing hormonal disorder.
• Because of mental stress.
• Certain medication which can alter the chemical composition of virus.
• Improper diet or less intake of nutrients and proteins.
• Less sleep or insomnia can also work as shingles reason.

What are the basic shingles symptoms ?

• Before shingles trigger you might feel frequent occurrence of headaches.
• Your eyes become sensitive to light. Light might start irritating your eyes.
• You might feel tingling and light itching on certain part of skin. Basically these itching location of skins are more prone to shingles rashes.
• Mostly you will see a band or strip of painful rash with red skin and itching will become more severe. Try not to touch it.
• These bands and strip will soon become fluid filled blisters.
• Appearance of rash varies from people to people. Rashes may pop up or it may not.

Shingles recovery time also varies according to the immune system. Sometimes recovery is done in 2 weeks and in some people shingles recovery can go up-to 4-5 weeks.
It can appear on various locations of body. It may some times appear on very sensitive locations. Below is the list where shingles breakout can be seen.

• Shingles on face
• Shingles on legs
• Most common breakout is near torso.
• Shingles in eye or around eye

13 Most Effective Natural Treatments for Shingles

These natural remedies are time-tested. The worst part of these blister is they cause too much of irritation and they are not at all comfortable. You just can’t walk around having shingles on your face or neck. Try these best home remedies for shingles which will help you alleviate pain and also soothes the affected skin. All these natural treatment will speed up the healing process.

1. Treat Shingles with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar need no introduction to home remedies world. It is a must have element of natural remedy. Medicinal properties of ACV includes antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and its soothing abilities. It soothes the painful rashes and reduce inflammation. The oral consumption of apple cider vinegar speed up the healing process of rashes. Topical use of ACV on skin can cure plaque, varicose veins, reduce inflamed skin and redness.
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent home remedy for shingles. There are two process of ACV remedy. First is oral and second is topical use.
You need: 

• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (Cold compressed)
• Cotton swab or cotton balls.

Process 1 – Directions:
Take 1 teaspoon of ACV two times a day to heal rashes. Oral use of apple cider vinegar for shingles is UNSAFE for pregnant women. Even if you are expecting pregnancy in next few months then avoid ACV oral intake.
Process 2 – Directions:

• Take 2 tables spoon of apple cider vinegar and dip a cotton ball in it.
• Dab this cotton over affected skin having blister and rashes.
• Let ACV do it job of suppressing the herpes zoster virus. As a result it will alleviate pain and reduce the size of blisters.
• Apply this 2 times a day for fast shingles recovery.

Alternatively, you can take ACV bath. Add 30-50 ml of apple cider vinegar in your bathtub and sit in this for 30 minutes. It will promote fast healing process and soothes the plaque patches.

2. Ozonated Olive Oil Remedy

You skin become harsh and rough when these rashes and blisters outbreak. Your skin need healing and vitamin E is the most important enzyme which keeps your skin healthy. Ozonated olive oil is all about vitamin E. Rubbing some olive oil on the shingles blisters will reduce its size and promotes speedy treatment.
The ozonated olive oil is another excellent natural treatment of shingles.
You need:

• Ozonated olive oil or Virgin olive oil
• Cotton swab

Directions:

• Dip cotton swab in olive oil and cover your blisters and rashes with this.
• Apply common tape over it and keep this for 30 minutes. It will suffocate the blister causing virus and also provide vitamin E blast to affected skin.
• Apply this home remedy for several days to reduce recovery time. Olive oil will also nourish the skin around the blisters.

3. Salt water Home Remedy

Salt is well-known for its virus killing nature. Sitting into a bathtub filled with salt can cure shingles very fast. There are basic 2 salt application you can try to get rid of all these irritating rashes.

You need: 

• Table Salt
• Water
• Cotton swab

Process 1: Directions:
Add 100gm of salt into your bathtub and sit in it for half an hour to soothe rashes and blisters. It will dry these bands of rashes and water filled blister very fast.
Process 2 : Direction:

• Add 1 tablespoon in half cup of water and stir it well. Now dip a cotton swab in it and put it over affected skin.
• Keep this saline swab on affected area for 30 minutes. Wash it with cold water to promote fast healing.
• It might give sudden burning feeling at the beginning but control it and keep this on twice a day.

4. Oatmeal Bath for Shingles Treatment

Oatmeal baths is soothing, especially when your skin feels itchy or irritated (such as during shingles blister outbreak or poison ivy rash).
It is also beneficial if you are suffering from chicken pox it will soothe the pox and reduces the inflamed skin. You might have heard of various types of oatmeal bath but here I will tell you the process which is highly suitable to this chicken pox updated version.
You need:

• Plain Oatmeal (Whole grain)
• Olive oil
• Coffee Filter Bags (5)

Instructions for How to Prepare Oatmeal bath?

• Fill a 10 oZ coffee cup with oatmeal.
• Now put this into grinder for 10 seconds. It is just to make oatmeal bit more smaller.
• Now spread those 5 coffee filter bags and distribute oatmeal equally. Then add 5 drops of virgin olive oil over oatmeal in each bag.
• Wrap them up and use rubber bands to close the filter bags. Now fill your bathtub with hot water. Through these bags in different locations of bathtub. Wait until the water come down to room temperature.
• Now sit in this oatmeal and olive oil powered bathtub for shingles removal. This will soothe the itching and alleviate pain.

5. Soothe With Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and have enormous virus killing abilities. Manuka name added with honey because these bees pollinate with manuka bush flowers. I just want comparison then let me inform you that manuka honey nutritional content is up to 5 times that of normal flower honey. Manuka honey is perfect home remedy for shingles due to its powerful antibacterial and antiviral powers.
Several recent studies show manuka honey is effective when used on top of wounds, leg shingles, and leg ulcers. Studies also show its effective in fighting infection and promoting healing. It fight acne and also help in wart removal.
It will also help in reducing shingles nerve pain and inflammation.
You need:

• Raw organic manuka honey
• Rosemary water
• Cotton ball / swab

Directions:

• Add 10 drops of rosemary water with 1 tablespoon of manuka honey. It will reduce the high viscosity.
• Dip a cotton ball or swab which ever fills right in this solution. Appply this over strip blisters and rough patches.
• Keep the honey over the affected area for 30 minutes. To fasten the healing of process repeat this 3 times a day.

Note:- Addition of rosemary will speed up the healing process, due to its ability to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, protect the immune system, detoxify the skin, and protect the body from viral infections.

6. Treat Shingles with Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia, USDA zones 5 through 9) is shrub grown in United States. The flower and leaf are used for medicinal purpose. Yet there are no research supporting this various household experimenters confirms the effectiveness on shingles virus. The broad-leaf evergreen mountain-laurel is usually a 12-20 ft. shrub, but is occasionally taller and single-trunked, attaining small tree stature.
Health benefits of mountain laurel flower and leaf have made it an important element of traditional medicines such as, people apply mountain laurel directly to the affected area to treat ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis), psoriasis, herpes virus, cold sores, and syphilis.
You need:

• Mountain laurel fresh or dried leaves or flower (3 flowers or 9 leaves)
• Castor oil
• Cotton ball
• Duct tape

Directions:

• Throw the leaves or flowers in mortar and add 20 drops of castor oil.
• Make a thick paste using pestle. Apply this mountain laurel and castor oil paste on affected area.
• Cover this with cotton and apply duct tape. Keep this for over 2 hours and then wash with rosemary water.
• This treatment will increase the shingles recovery time and speed up the healing process.

7. Essential Oil Ravensara Remedy

It is among the rare essential oil that comes from a tree in Madagascar. In Madagascar local folks call it “Cure All” oil due to its health benefits.

Medicinal Benefits of Ravensara Essential Oil:

• Analgesic
• Anti-allergenic
• Antibacterial
• Antimicrobial
• Antidepressant
• Antifungal
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Antiviral
• Aphrodisiac
• Disinfectant
• Diuretic
• Expectorant
• Relaxant and tonic substance.

So now you know why Ravensara oil is called “Cure All” oil. You just name the health problem it will cure it. For healthy adults, who wish to remain so, I would continue to buy and use true Ravensara Aromatica for treating shingles, herpes, and other viral ailments, or for diffusion to kill airborne viruses.
You need:

• Ravensara Essential Oil
• Cotton ball

Directions:
Apply the oil over affected area with by soaking a cotton ball in the oil. Alternatively, you can tap it out on affected area with the help of duct tape for over 30 minutes. This will fasten the healing process and cure painful blisters and rashes.
Note:- Not recommended during pregnancy. So pregnant women stay away from it.

8. Aspirin + Petroleum jelly

This aspirin and petroleum jelly formula will kill shingles virus and also promotes fast healing. It can not be said natural remedy but surely we can categories it in home remedies.
You need:

• 2 aspirin tablet
• 1 spoon of petroleum jelly.

Directions:
Crush 2 aspirin tablets and mix it with 1 tablespoon of petroleum jelly. Apply this mixture over affected skin with rashes and blisters. Keep this for probably 20 minutes and then wash it with cold water. This will suffocate the shingles virus and reduce chances of further more outbreaks.

9. Virgin coconut oil (take it orally)

Coconut oil (virgin) is another excellent natural remedy for shingles treatment. It works as immune System Booster due to its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral abilities. The fatty acids (Caprylic and Lauric) in coconut oil reduce inflammation internally and externally. You can use virgin coconut oil internally as well as skin ointments to treat shingles fast.

You need:

• Virgin coconut oil
• Cotton ball

Directions:

• Dip a cotton ball into virgin coconut oil and apply it on affected skin. Keep this for 1-2 hours for fast results.
• The best practice is applying oil on rashes and keep them overnight. This will produce much fast and effective results.
• Alternatively, you can consume 1 table-spoon of coconut oil in the morning and before going to bed. This will make your immune strong and gives energy to fight shingles internally.
• I recommend to do both the things together. And also continue taking virgin coconut oil daily 1 spoon for string immune.

10. Boiled Turmeric Treatment

Turmeric is counted under world’s most healthiest foods and also it ranks high in best natural antibiotics. Most important health benefits of turmeric include its ability to heal wounds, reduce ringworm, ease menstrual difficulties, reduce inflammation, eliminate depression, alleviate toothache, slow the aging process, treat acne, and improve immune system.
Turmeric is another effective home remedy, which can cure shingles. You can use turmeric remedy in two ways. Either take it with milk or apply it over affected area.
You need:

• Turmeric powder
• Rosemary water
• Skimmed milk
• Cotton ball

Directions – Process 1:-
Add 1 spoon of roasted turmeric roots powder into 250 ml of warm milk. Stir it well and drink it before going to bed. It will make your immune system stronger and help fight back the virus.
Directions – Process 2:-

• Add 2 tablespoon of turmeric powder into 1 cup of water. stir it well and boil it for 15 minutes.
• Make sure that most of the water is evaporated and only a thick paste is remaining.
• Let it cool down to room temperature and add 10 drops of rosemary water. Mix it well.
• Now with the help of cotton ball spread this turmeric paste over affected area. Let it dry naturally. It will take around 1-2 hours.
• Thereafter wash it with cold water. This will reduce the replication of virus and soaks out water from them. As a result it will dry up the blisters fast. Do this remedy 2 times a day until your are free from shingles attack.

11. Tea tree oil for Shingles Treatment

It is one of the oldest antiviral element used in Ayurveda. Tea tree oil is another excellent home remedy for shingles recovery. This oil is used for making anti-bacterial and antiviral drugs. Which is used to cure any airborne viral infections such as common cold and flu, fungal infection, and stomach flu treatment.
The topical use of tea tree oil can cure skin disorders such as pimples, dermatitis, wart treatment, rashes, ringworm, and rough plaque skin patches.
You need:

• Organic Pure Tea Tree Oil
• Castor oil
• Cotton

Directions:

• Mix 1 tea-spoon of castor oil with 2 tablespoon of tea tree oil.
• Dip a cotton ball into this oil solution and apply it over affected area. Keep this for over 30 minutes then wash with cold water. You can add few drops of rosemary water into cold water. It will work as natural wound cleanser.
• Practice this remedy 2-3 times a day until you recover completely from shingles.

12 . Treat Shingles with Garlic oil (garlic plus olive oil)

Garlic oil is not a commercial concept. We will make a perfect herpes killer and simultaneously nourish the damaged skin. Olive oil will provide its vitamin E properties and garlic will help reduce skin inflammation and itching. This garlic oil is effective to treat shingles. Don’t worry you won’t have to buy any oil making machine just few objects and products which you will find in your kitchen.
You need: 

• Garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Mortar and pestle
• Cotton or any soft fabric

Directions:

• Put 10 garlic clove in mortar and add 5 drops of cold water.
• Crush them for 5 minutes with pestle. Crush them until it forms a smooth creamy texture.
• Now add 30 drops of olive oil and mix them well. Thereafter with the help of soft fabric or cotton ball apply this over affected area.
• Keep this for 30 minutes and wash it with cold water for fast results.
• Practice this home remedy 2 times a day to treat shingles fast.

13. Bayberry Ointment to Soothe Shingles

Bayberry is a shrub that grows in Texas and the eastern US. The root bark and berries are used to make medicine. In folk medicine, bayberry has been used internally as a tea for its tonic and stimulant properties, and in the treatment of diarrhea. Natural herb, bayberry have astringent abilities which may account for wound healing and to treat skin disorders.
Bayberry dried leaves are sometimes used as gargle element to treat cough and sore throat. Bayberry ointment can speed up the healing process of shingles.
You need:

• Bayberry bark extract
• Roasted turmeric powder (optional)
• Cotton

Directions:

• Dip a cotton ball into bayberry bark extract and apply it over affected skin. Allow this to sit there for 20-30 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Pat dry with fresh cotton.
• Alternatively, you can add 1 tea-spoon of roasted turmeric powder with 30 drops of bayberry bark extract. Cover your band of rashes and blisters with this paste and let it dry naturally. Then wash with cold water.
• This will enhance the skin condition and help speed up the healing of shingles.

Some Common FAQ about Shingles

Q1) How many people are suffering from shingles

Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, in their lifetime. There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles each year in USA.

Q2) What is the average Shingles recovery time ?

Let me tell you that this occur due to weak immune system in general. So this recovery of shingles completely depends on individual. If you have strong immune then your recovery time would be 2-3 weeks. And if your immune system is weak then recovery time can vary from 4 weeks to 6 weeks.

Q3) When I should take Shingles Vaccine ?

The single best way to reduce your risk of a shingles infection is to get vaccinated. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends shingles vaccine for people aged 60 years and older. Even people who have had shingles can receive the vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. Shingles vaccine is approved by FDA for people aged 50 years and older. You should take these vaccines if you have ever suffered from chicken pox. It help you avoid all those log term pain which comes along this complicated herpes zoster

Tips and Precautions to Prevent Shingles causing painful rashes and blisters outbreak.

Foods to Eat to Avoid Shingles

• Eat foods which falls under the categories of best natural antibiotics.
• Eat high nutritious foods like vitamins A, B-6, C and E, folate, iron and zinc rich foods.
• Increase intake of anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, basil and spices.
• Incorporate foods which is Lysine-Rich such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and trout.

Avoid these Foods when Shingles outbreak has occurred.

• Eliminate foods which have arginine in it such as avoid nuts and seeds, soy foods, chocolate, wheat germ, coconut, carob, whole-wheat and white flour, and gelatin to prevent any worse outbreaks.
• You need to have strong immune to fight back herpes zoster virus so avoid any food which have low vitamins and mineral such as packed and processed foods and bottled beverages like soft drinks.
• Avoid intake of processed sugary foods like candy and packed sweets.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage or Prevent Shingles.

• Take cool baths twice a day. Make sure you have one before you hit the bed.
• Apply cold compress to the affected area.
• If you have shingles outbreak then avoid physical contacts to prevent spreading.
• Wash your hands before and after meals. After every time you apply these natural remedies wash your hands.
• Wash you clothes with disinfectant products.
• Avoid coffee because it can irritated the rashes and blisters.
• Get plenty of sleep and avoid unnecessary stress and maintain good diet.

Conclusion:
Shingles are really irritating and can outbreak with stress and medicine reaction. It is always advised to take shingles vaccine once you turn 60. Practice these natural home remedies for shingles treatment. It will speed up the healing process and reduce itching and swelling. Treat Shingles with natural remedies as they can be very effective in reducing your recovery time.

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