Shingles home remedies cannot cure shingles, but they can help mitigate the painful rash that accompanies and outbreak. Shingles will start with a burning pain along one side of the body up to two weeks before the breakout of the hallmark rash. As with the antiviral medications prescribed, shingles home remedies work best when applied even before an outbreak of the rash, characterized by fluid-filled blisters, appears.
Although many shingles home remedies can be used, such as starch baths or the application of calamine lotion, essential oils are very effective at treating the pain and itching that is the hallmark of a shingles outbreak.
Effectiveness of Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries in the treatment of various illnesses. The advantage to using essential oils as shingle home remedies is there are very few, if any, side-effects, and they are fairly inexpensive to use. There is much anecdotal evidence to suggest the following essential oils are very effective in reducing the misery of shingles and providing relief from the painful rash.
- Lavender: Lavender is from the botanical family of mint, and is used for its calming effect as well as its properties of reducing inflammation, pain and irritation. It is also considered an anti-fungal and antiseptic essential oil.
- Tea Tree Oil: From the botanical family of myrtle, tea tree oil is distilled from the Australian tea tree and is considered a powerful disinfectant with antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Geranium: Also known for its antiviral properties, geranium essential oil originated from Egypt or India and also contains antispasmodic and antioxidant properties.
- Oregano: Also from the botanical family of mint, oregano is a potent antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, antibacterial essential oil. Because of its potency, it is recommended oregano be mixed with a base oil or cream.
Powerful Mixture
These essential oils can be combined to provide a strong compound to combat the agony that a shingles outbreak can cause. The following proportions are recommended as one of the most powerful and effective shingles home remedies:
- 10 drops of lavender
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
- 5 drops of geranium
- 2 drops of oregano
This mixture should be combined in a glass bowl and can be applied with cotton balls twice a day, usually in the morning and at night. Keep in mind the fluid-filled blisters contain the same virus that causes chicken pox, so if applied by another person who has not contracted chicken pox, they could become infected.
Shingles is a painful and debilitating illness, and although prescribed medications can help reduce the symptoms and duration, there is no cure. Shingles home remedies, however, can go a long way toward healing and reducing pain, with the added benefit of few, if any, side-effects.
