Natural Treatments for Shingles

Shingles is an illness that causes a red, bumpy rash. An estimated one million people suffer from Shingles annually. It’s thought to be caused by the same virus that causes Chickenpox, another illness that’s marked by the same type of rash. (However, stress and anxiety have also been attributed to the outbreak of Shingles.) Once the red spots of Shingles appear, they often turn into blisters. There is also marked pain and discomfort in the nerves that are affected with this viral illness. Medicine has yet to come up with a cure for this illness, but in the meantime, you can use these natural treatments for shingles:

1. Cayenne Pepper To The Rescue
Many people love hot, spicy foods that are made with Cayenne Pepper. You may even love its hotness too. Taken internally this pepper has a lot of beneficial health effects. Used as an ointment, Cayenne Pepper is a natural treatment for Shingles. It can help relieve the itchiness, pain and discomfort. Simply mix a bit of it in with a soothing body lotion. Apply this mixture onto the area that’s affected by Shingles every four to six hours.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Work Wonders
Just like Cayenne Pepper, Apple Cider Vinegar has a myriad of healthful uses. It can used as a liniment for Shingles. Just dab Apple Cider Vinegar on the affected area several times a day. Use it at night if the symptoms wake you up! It should relieve the pain and heal the red spots or blisters.

Or, you can take Apple Cider Vinegar internally for the natural treatment of Shingles. Pour two tablespoons of this type of vinegar in an eight-ounce glass of tap water. If you don’t like the taste of this mixture, add a little jelly or honey to sweeten the taste. Drink this mixture twice a day and see if it doesn’t help relieve your symptoms.

3. Oatmeal Isn’t Just For Breakfast
Oatmeal tastes great for breakfast, but have you ever applied it to that annoying area of Shingles? Mix up some plain, uncooked oatmeal with a bit of water until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to your red spots or blisters. Oatmeal is a natural treatment for this viral illness because it soothes burning skin irritations and relieves itching.

You can also pour some uncooked oatmeal in your bathtub too. Fill it with cool water and swish the oatmeal around. Then, soak the affected area of your body in the oatmeal-water.

4. Are Your Vitamins Working For You?
You probably already take a multi-vitamin every day, but is it specially-formulated to help reduce stress? A natural treatment for Shingles is to take a multi-vitamin that’s rich in stress-busters like B Complex Vitamins, Vitamin E, and C.

5. Use Stress Reduction Methods
Since stress and anxiety are also believed to cause an itchy, painful outbreak of Shingles, you can use stress-reduction methods to relieve yourself of these annoying symptoms. These natural treatments for Shingles include meditation,
Yoga, and deep-breathing exercises. Check your phone book for classes located near you.

6. Try Natural Acupuncture
Acupuncture- which is the insertion of needles into various points in the human body- is gaining popularity as a natural treatment for pain relief. Talk to a professional Acupuncturist to see if this ancient medicine can work for you!