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Symptoms of shingles and natural remedies

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Symptoms of shingles and natural remedies
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Anyone who has ever had chicken pox is at risk of developing shingles. This generally benign illness is an inflammatory reaction that occurs following the dormant chicken pox virus becoming reactivated: the varicella zoster virus (VZV). So what are the symptoms of shingles, and how can you treat it? 

What are the symptoms of shingles?

The varicella zoster virus, or VZV, is often reactivated due to lowered immune defences caused by age, illness or stress. These are the symptoms:

  • skin breakouts in a given area, especially around the throat and face
  • blisters on the skin, along a nerve
  • inflammatory reaction (tingling or burning sensation) on the affected areas
  • 3 days later: the appearance of red patches and fluid filled blisters

The spots are intensely itchy, but they dry out after about 7 to 10 days, and disappear after around 3 weeks.

Natural remedies for shingles

As shingles is caused by lowered immunity, it is extremely important to reinforce the body’s natural defences, particularly through:

  • a healthy and balanced diet
  • moderate physical activity
  • rest
  • taking a bath with water mixed with bicarbonate of soda

Essential oils

Certain antiviral essential oils have a positive effect on shingles. Here is a mixture you can apply from as soon as the shingles appear. Apply a few drops of this mixture 6 to 8 times a day:

  • 3 mls of ravinsara essential oil
  • 3 mls of niaouli essential oil
  • 3 mls of peppermint essential oil
  • 30 mls of St. John’s Wort oil

Naturopathy

You can also drink calming herbal teas made from linden or chamomile, in order to fight against stress, which is one of the main causes for lowered immune defenses and thus the appearance of shingles.

Alternatively, take 3 to 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract two or three times a day depending on the intensity of the inflammation. Grapefruit seed extract is a remarkable antibiotic, and it naturally and effectively combats viruses, bacteria and parasites in the body.

Source

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