Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a skin infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, or VZV, the same pathogen responsible for chicken pox. After an outbreak of chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in the nervous system and can re-emerge years later under conditions of stress, disease or low immunity. VZV causes skin inflammation, blisters and pain, and, after an outbreak, intense pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia may linger due to nerve damage from the virus. Conventional treatments may include antiviral drugs, but they are not always effective. Herbs with anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-pain properties may be effective home remedies for herpes zoster. Patients should consult an herbalist or other health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Desert Date
Desert date, or Balanites aegyptiaca, is a deciduous tree with a bitter fruit native to Africa and the Middle East. Traditional healers use the fruit, seed oil and bark to stimulate lactation and treat headache, flu, liver diseases, colic and constipation. The seeds contain diosgenin, a plant steroid with anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and antitumor properties that is also used commercially to synthesize cortisone and progesterone. In several African countries, the plant is an important herbal medicine for treating malaria, parasites and shingles. A study by E. Speroni, et al, published in the April 2005 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" cited the traditional use of desert date for treating shingles, and tested two new saponins from the bark, balanins 1 and 2, for their anti-inflammatory and anti-pain actions. The study found anti-pain action on the peripheral nervous system, and anti-inflammatory activity related to the saponins and antioxidants in the plant. This study supports the traditional use of desert date for treating shingles. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Snake Plant
Snake plant, or Clinacanthus nutans, is a small shrub with bright red flowers native to tropical Asia. Thai healers use the leaves to treat herpes infections, including genital herpes and herpes zoster, caused by two distinct viruses. Thai hospitals use products made with the plant to treat shingles infections that are resistant to antiviral drugs like acyclovir or to avoid the burning side effects of acyclovir. Folk healers also use snake plant for inflammatory skin infections, insect bites and allergic reactions. Research conducted by Santi Sakdarat, et al., published in the December 2006 issue of the "Thai Journal of Phytopharmacy" found eight plant compounds related to chlorophyll A and chlorophyll B that had anti-herpes action due to their antioxidant properties. A study by P. Wanikiat, et al., published in the March 2008 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested an extract of snake plant leaves in vivo to understand its anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The study found that the extract had an inhibitory effect on neutrophils, the white blood cells involved in the immune system's inflammatory response. These studies demonstrate that snake plant has anti-herpes and anti-inflammatory actions, supporting the traditional use of the plant for shingles. Further research is needed to determine the active anti-inflammatory ingredients in the plant.
Weeping Fig
Weeping fig, or Ficus benjamina, is a tall evergreen with deep red figs native to Asia. Weeping fig contains psoralen, a coumarin compound used along with ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis, eczema and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and ficin, an enzyme in the tree sap. Unlike other fig species, weeping fig is not susceptible to viruses. A study by L. Yarmolinsky, et al., published in the December 2009 issue of "New Biotechnology" tested extracts made from the tree's stems, leaves and fruit for antiviral activity. The study found that the leaf and fruit extracts had significant inhibitory action against the varicella-zoster virus. When low concentrations of these extracts were added to a low concentration of the antiviral drug acyclovir, there was a synergistic effect and significant inhibition of the virus. Further research is needed to determine the active anti-herpes ingredients in weeping fig and to test its efficacy on humans.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and antioxidant activities of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile; Speroni E, Cervellati R, Innocenti G, Costa S, Guerra MC, Dall' Acqua S, Govoni P; April 2005
- "Thai Journal of Phytopharmacy"; Chemical composition investigation of the Clinacanthus nutans Lindau leaves; Santi Sakdarat, Aussavashai Shuyprom, Thaweephol Dechatiwongse Na Ayudhya, Peter G. Waterman, Gloria Karagianis; December 2006
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; The anti-inflammatory effects and the inhibition of neutrophil responsiveness by Barleria lupulina and Clinacanthus nutans extracts; Wanikiat P, Panthong A, Sujayanon P, Yoosook C, Rossi AG, Reutrakul V; March 2008
- "New Biotechnology"; Antiviral activity of ethanol extracts of Ficus benjamina and Lilium candidum in vitro; Yarmolinsky L, Zaccai M, Ben-Shabat S, Mills D, Huleihel M; December 2009
