The best home remedy for shingles is to avoid the two most common triggers for the condition.
The first is to avoid contact with children who have the chicken pox. Avoid the second most common trigger for the secondary chicken pox infection known as shingles - Stress. There are many natural ways to eliminate the pain and discomfort of this irritating condition.
Pain Relief for Shingles
Shingles is a painful condition and may require topical and internal remedies.
Willow Leaves - If you are not allergic to aspirin, making a paste from willow leaves to apply to the blistery rash and drinking willow tea will ease the discomfort of the rash.
Valerian>skullcap when combined and taken in a capsule are two great herbs for shingles that relieve pain.
Ice packs applied to the rash will help cool the skin and reduce itching.
Using diluted apple cider vinegar alone or combined with Vitamin E added will help reduce discomfort and help prevent scarring. Read more about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Baking soda baths and a paste made with baking soda and water are both great natural ways to get relief.
Using a home remedy for shingles should never be considered if your shingles are near or on your eyes.
Herbs for Shingles
There are a number of wild and cultivated plants that may provide relief from shingles.
Ground oak bark and comfrey leaves brought to a boil in vinegar, strained and cooled can be applied to the blisters to help ward off infection that sometimes occurs when the blisters break.
Peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen will all provide a cooling effect when applied to shingles. These leaves can be crushed, boiled in water then applied as a cold compress or ground and mixed with diluted vinegar in a compress.
Echinacea is a home remedy for shingles that helps boost the immune system.
Burdock and borage leaves are two great herbs for shingles. Boil the leaves in a small amount of water, then mash them and once cooled, apply the mix directly onto the rash.
Cornflower, chamomile, lavender, duckweed, and Rose of Sharon are other common herbs used to treat shingles.
All salvia species have cooling properties especially white sage.
Keeping the skin cool and open to the air is a simple home remedy for shingles.
Other Home Remedies for Shingles
The properties of the inner bark of some trees are often overlooked as a home remedy.
Oak, especially white oak, is a great anti-inflammatory substance.
You can use ground birch bark to help cool any skin rash including shingles. Sweet birch is the most potent.
Silver maple bark and sap will also provide relief from the itching and burning sensation caused by shingles.
Your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator may contain items you can use to treat shingles.
Increasing your daily intake of Vitamin C will help boost your immune system.
Pears contain a natural anti-viral agent.
Leek juice, apple cider vinegar and Aloe Vera mixed together provide a soothing wash for irritated skin.
Many times pain and itching will precede a shingles outbreak. Yogurt mixed with zinc oxide and applied to the spinal nerves may prevent the shingles rash from developing.
Making a home remedy for shingles is an easy natural way to address a common viral problem. Using herbs and other common methods to relieve the pain and discomfort is a wise alternative.
Disclaimer: Always consult your medical professional before trying any homemade treatment. This site is designed for informational purposes only and is not rendering medical advice or professional services.
Shingles is a painful condition and may require topical and internal remedies.