Natural Herbs For Shingles

Shingles is characterized by a painful rash on one side of your body and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The varicella-zoster virus is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Herbal remedies may help treat your shingles, although you should always check with your physician before taking herbs to treat your health complaints.

Shingles

The Mayo Clinic states that shingles usually appear as a band of painful blisters that wraps around one side of your torso, although it can develop anywhere on your body. Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with shingles include pain, burning and tingling in the affected region, red blisters filled with fluid, itching, fever and chills, aches, headache and fatigue. Risk factors for shingles include being over 50 years old and having a compromised immune system.

Natural Herbs

There are many natural herbs that may help treat your shingles. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," helpful herbs for shingles include alfalfa, chamomile, astragalus, bi phaya yaw, burdock, red clover, cayenne, goldenseal, green tea, licorice, milk thistle, oat straw, St. John's wort, skullcap, olive leaf, rose hips and valerian root. Using dietary supplements and treatment methods, in conjunction with natural herbs, may produce optimal healing results.

Most Effective Herb

St. John's wort is one of the most effective herbs in treating your shingles. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that St. John's wort is well known for its ability to treat depression and nerve pain. The pain associated with shingles is neurological in origin. St. John's wort is considered to be a nervine, or a substance that calms your nerves, and it has been used for shingles, painful hemorrhoids and facial neuralgia, or facial nerve pain.

Disclaimer

Natural herbs may help treat your shingles, although the use of herbs does not guarantee a beneficial result. Some herbs may not be appropriate for your condition. Consider visiting a health care professional who specializes in herbal medicine before using herbs to treat your shingles. Understanding proper dosage, duration of treatment and other herb-related issues can help reduce your risk of experiencing negative health side effects. If you are pregnant, use extra caution when taking herbs.