Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Shingles

Acupuncture for Shingles

Acupuncture Points:

GB 30, GB 31, GB 40, GB 43, or: GB 34, LI 4, ST 36, TW 5, ST 4, UB 38.

Ear points:

Adrenal, Lung, Occiput, Internal Secretions

Aromatherapy for Shingles

Essential oils useful for treating shingles include bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon and tea tree oil.

Mix 1 part tea tree oil with ten parts olive oil or any other cold-pressed oil. Warm mixture and apply to painful area two to three times daily until pain subsides. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm water to wash the affected areas. Pat dry with a cotton cloth and apply drying powder to open blisters or dab on fresh plant extract of lemon balm and calendula.

Peppermint oil applied topically may reduce the pain through a mild local numbing effect. Do not attempt this if the skin is extremely sensitive.

Full-strength essential oils may be irritating to the skin. Dilute them by adding several drops to a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil and apply them directly to painful areas. (Do not ingest essential oils. They can be toxic.)

Ayurveda for Shingles

An Ayurvedic practitioner will aim to improve your general immunity by Ayurvedic preparations and panchakarma. The following preparation may be used:

Make a paste from turmeric powder. Apply the paste to affected areas of the skin for pain relief and to speed healing.

Chinese Medicine for Shingles

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies may be helpful for early intervention as well as for advanced cases.

One herbal formula that may be effective early on in the course of the disease is Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentiana Drain the Liver Pills).