If you had chicken pox as a child (and most people have), then you’re at risk for shingles. When the virus reactivates later in life, it can produce symptoms such as pain, itching, and blisters with or without the presence of a rash. Contributing factors to flare-ups may include stress and a weakened immune system. Essential oils can be used along with herbs, vitamins, diet, and honey to relieve the painful symptoms of shingles.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for shingles are:
• Geranium
• German chamomile
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Ravintsara
An Ounce of Prevention
People who are at risk of developing shingles should consult with their healthcare practitioner about natural and self-care preventative measures that may include bolstering your immune system with a healthy diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
To ease the pain and discomfort of shingles, turn to these aromatherapy techniques.
• Beneficial balm. Combine anti-inflammatory essential oils with coconut oil to create a salve you can apply to inflamed skin.
• Soothing soak. Shingles can cover a large area of the body, such as the back, which makes a warm, relaxing bath a smart solution. Infuse it with oatmeal and skin-soothing oils to treat all of the itchy and inflamed areas at once.
• Cool compress. Add any (or all) of the oils highlighted in this chapter to a cool compress to help relieve itching and pain naturally.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Soak in oatmeal. Add finely ground oatmeal alone to a bath to help soothe itchy skin.
• Heal with honey. Applying naturally antiviral manuka honey may help speed up healing.
• Meditate. Keeping your stress levels low is key to preventing and treating shingles.
You can make the discomfort of shingles a little more bearable with these simple aromatherapy recipes.
These two oils are not common, but worth the effort to purchase to relieve the painful itch of shingles. This is a proven remedy in French aromamedicine. Calophyllum inophyllum, also called tamanu or foraha, is a carrier oil similar to neem oil. Don’t confuse ravintsara with ravensare; they are two different essential oils.
1 ounce calophyllum
120 drops ravintsara
1 small dark-glass bottle
Add all ingredients to the bottle and shake to blend. Using a cotton swab, or another comfortable method, dab the salve on the affected areas, as needed. Tip: 120 drops is approximately a teaspoon plus 20 drops.
This alternative to the above recipe also provides pain- and itch-relieving properties.
10 drops geranium oil
5 drops German chamomile oil
5 drops lavender oil
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon cold water
2 cups baking soda
In a large glass bowl, combine the oils, then stir in the water. Add in the baking soda and whisk together to make a milky paste. Using a cotton ball, apply the poultice to the affected areas up to three times a day. Cover and store any remaining poultice in the bowl, or transfer to a covered jar.
Combine the itch-stopping power of oatmeal with healing essential oils for a hot, relaxing bath that may help speed up recovery. Watch bath temperature for comfort on inflamed areas.
2 cups cooked and pureed oatmeal
4 drops lavender oil
4 drops geranium oil
Add all ingredients to a hot bath and enjoy for at least 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can place regular oatmeal in a cloth bag and allow it to steep in the bath water.