Herbs. Even the word sounds soothing! If you’re looking for natural remedies for shingles care and prevention, as well as to manage pain, perhaps you are considering using herbs.
While they may not be considered a complete substitute for medical care, they can certainly help manage shingles symptoms and support overall healing in a natural way.
The effectiveness of herbs for shingles can vary for everyone. They’re typically used as either topical applications, in herbal teas, or herbal supplements, all of which are designed to help relieve pain and inflammation and to boost your immune function.
Herbal Remedies Used for Shingles
Let’s go over some of the best herbs that offer relief and support for shingles.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is soothing, so it may have soothing effects on the skin and antiviral properties that can help reduce the severity of shingles lesions. It can help soothe your skin, reduce itching, and promote healing. You can find lemon balm in cream or oil and it can be applied topically.
Drinking lemon balm tea may also support your overall healing.
St. John’s Wort
This herb is known for its anti-inflammatory and nerve-calming effects. If you have shingles, taking St. John’s Wort tea or applying the oil topically can help reduce nerve pain and discomfort.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. You can apply turmeric paste to the affected areas, take it as a supplement, or use it as a spice in your food. It can help reduce shingles pain and skin inflammation.
Ginger
Ginger is popularly known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. You can use it to relieve nerve pain and discomfort associated with shingles. You can drink ginger tea or take it as a supplement. You can also use fresh ginger in your food.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is an excellent herb for soothing and moisturizing your skin. It can help reduce skin irritation and relieve discomfort from shingles blisters. You can apply Aloe Vera gel or ointment directly to the affected area.
Licorice Root
Licorice root contains compounds with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why it’s used to minimize pain and promote the healing of shingles blisters. You can apply licorice root gel on your skin or consume it as tea or a supplement.
Echinacea
This herb can boost the immune function and help the body fight off the shingles-causing virus. It’s often used to reduce the frequency of shingles outbreaks. You can take it as a supplement, tea, or tincture.
Garlic
Garlic has anti-viral and immune-boosting properties. It can help your body fight the shingles virus and reduce symptoms. You can use garlic in cooking or consume it raw. You can also take garlic supplements.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help protect skin cells from damage. It can also reduce inflammation and support overall skin health. You can consume it as tea or apply it topically as a compress.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular herbal tea and is known for its calming effects. Aside from promoting relaxation, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation. You can consume it as tea or apply it as a topical compress on the area affected by shingles.
Gentiana Scabra
Gentiana scabra has anti-inflammatory effects and pain-relieving properties. It’s often used to manage pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (a long-term complication of shingles). You can find it in oil and tea form.
Oregano
Oregano has strong antiviral properties, as well as antimicrobial properties. As shingles can also be inflected by bacteria, using oregano can help. You can use oregano as oil or take the capsule supplement.
In Summary
Are you already using some of the herbs listed above? There may be herbs you are already using but perhaps didn’t realize their amazing benefits!
There are so many options you can try for managing pain when you have shingles. If you use any as essential oils, make sure you use them correctly. You also need to make sure that any herbal supplement you take isn’t going to interfere with any of your conventional medications.
Another warning is, make sure you only use herbal supplements from reputable sources. Poor quality and the wrong usage of herbal supplements can lead to complications.
Herbs should help you, not harm you, so choose carefully and manage your shingles naturally!
