Alternative Shingles Cure - Natural Treatment for Shingles

If you have ever suffered from shingles, then you know what it is to be in pure agony for weeks and even months. Maybe the medications prescribed for you were slow to work or didn't work as well as you needed them to. Everyone is different in how they react to certain modalities utilized in the treatment of herpes zoster, but you want more than just treatment. You are looking for an aternative cure that will keep this horrid condition from coming back, or at the very least, you want to minimize it's effects should it make a grand re-entrance.

There are other natural treatments available that may lessen or even prevent shingles, sometimes called zoster, from returning to your life. Below are some alternatives that may be helpful. Of course, always consult with your health care professional first.

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can develop zoster if you have a past history of chickenpox. It usually occurs in the older population, but can present itself in children, teens, and young adults as well. Actually, you are susceptible at any age for zoster, especially if you've had chickenpox before.

Some Noted Shingles Remedies:

A study conducted in Germany took advantage of the use of the proteolytic enzymes that are naturally made in the pancreas. These enzymes are necessary for the breakdown and digestion of proteins that exist in some of the foods we eat, such as certain fruits like papaya and pineapple.

Supplements of these fruits, usually found in health food stores, were given to 192 people participating in the German study, half taking the proteolytic enzymes and the other half taking acyclovir. Both groups consisting of of 96 participants each, reported about the same level of pain relief, but the group taking the enzymes had less side effects than the group taking acyclovir. Taking these supplements, however, is not advised for people who experience allergic reactions to these tropical fruits, and should be avoided in those currently on drugs that inhibit blood clotting, such as coumadin, heparin, or aspirin. It can also interfere with the ability to absorb vitamin B9.

Tai Chi is a form of martial art, that evidence suggests may help to increase the strength of the immune system in adults age 60 and over who are susceptible for develping shingles. A strong immune system is as close to a cure as you can get.

Capsaicin is a topically applied skin cream that contains chili peppers, which is used to treat the chronic pain of postherpetic neuralgia. Approximately eighty percent of people who participated in a study that used capsaicin cream reported greater pain relief, as opposed to the people who used a placebo cream. It was the decrease of substance P, a response to the capsaicin cream that reduced pain. Substance P is a neurochemical substance that transmits pain. This cream is applied to the affected skin area up to four times per day.

The application of capsaicin cream to the skin may produce a burning sensation (due to the chili pepper content) of it's own during initial use, but this resolves in a few weeks. It is advisable to wear disposable gloves while using this cream, and for heaven's sake, don't touch your eyes or other areas where the skin is not intact.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT