Shingles is an extremely painful condition that is associated with a blistering skin rash. The NIH Senior Health website states that half of all Americans will have had shingles by the age of 80. Although shingles can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 60 and 80. Some herbal remedies may be useful in treating your shingles, but you should always use caution when taking substances for your ailment.
Shingles Information
The Family Doctor website states that shingles is caused by a germ known as varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. Although your chicken pox sores healed and disappeared, the virus that caused them remained in your body. When the virus is reactivated, it causes shingles. If you have shingles, you are likely to experience a burning, tingling or itching sensation on one side of your body, especially your back, chest and the side of your rib cage.
Herbal Remedies
Certain herbal remedies, including herbs that possess antiviral action, are used to improve your immune function and help treat your shingles. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," helpful herbal remedies for shingles include alfalfa, chamomile, dandelion, astragalus root, Valerian root, olive leaf extract, rose hips, licorice extract, goldenseal, St. John's wort, milk thistle, oat straw, cayenne, red clover, skullcap and burdock root.
Skullcap
Skullcap is an effective herb in treating shingles and is often used to help reduce the stress and itching that are associated with this condition. Skullcap, states Balch, helps improve your sleep and circulation, enhances the strength of your heart and helps alleviate pain, cramps and spasms. Skullcap helps calm irritation of your nervous system, and it has been used by herbalists and other to treat shingles, fatigue, rheumatism and cardiovascular disease.
Warning
Shingles can cause significant pain and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional. Herbal remedies for shingles, although usually helpful and effective, should be cleared with your physician beforehand, especially if you are taking other medications and a drug interaction could occur. Herbal remedies contain active constituents that stimulate physiologic changes in your body, and they should be used judiciously and under the supervision of your health care provider.
References
- NIH Senior Health: Shingles
- Family Doctor: Shingles
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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