About 98% of all adults are thought to be carriers of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox on first infection and shingles on re-infection. Anyone over the age of 50 who has COVID-19 is 15% more likely to develop shingles – booster vaccinations are increasingly associated with the risk of shingles.

Anyone looking to support conventional medical treatment with naturopathic medicine will find reliable companions in natural, pure essential oils . You can relieve the pain associated with shingles and naturally enhance the healing process.

Various studies have shown that essential oils are very effective against herpes simplex, a similar type of virus. This suggests that they may also help relieve symptoms and speed up the recovery process in the case of shingles.

Shingles is a re-infection with the varicella-zoster virus, a virus in the herpesvirus family that is thought to cause chickenpox in the first infection. After surviving the chicken pox infection, the virus remains in the body for life and survives in the nerve endings of the spinal cord and cranial nerves. In people with a weakened immune system, the virus reactivates at any time, even under severe stress or after strong ultraviolet radiation. Then it is not a recurrence of chicken pox, but herpes zoster. Only people who have had chicken pox can develop shingles.

Symptoms of herpes zoster

The first signs of herpes zoster are fatigue, mild fever and unilateral, sometimes burning pain in the affected area of the skin. The back or chest area is usually affected and symptoms are limited to one side of the body.
The face or head may also be affected, resulting in blurred vision or facial paralysis. Painful, fluid-filled blisters usually form in the area of the infected nerve connections. During this time, the patient is considered contagious.
After a few days, the blisters burst and crust over, which may leave scars or become discolored. Symptoms may take up to a month to resolve.

Due to the acute inflammation of the nerves, the disease can cause severe pain, which can become chronic. The risk of this so-called postherpetic neuralgia increases with age.

Antiviral, pain-relieving and skin-regenerating oils relieve symptoms

Essential oils can help reduce pain and speed healing. For this purpose, prevention should start as early as possible.

Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, pain-relieving and skin-regenerating oils are particularly suitable. Ravinsara, lemon balm, pink geranium, laurel, niauli, palmarosa, tea tree and rose are considered antiviral and skin-friendly. Also known for their analgesic effects and often used in mixtures to treat herpes zoster are essential oils of clove, lavender and kayaput.

St. John's wort oil is usually used as a base for these mixtures because it is useful for nerve pain and also has anti-inflammatory and strong skin-restoring effects. As experimental research in recent years has shown, this is mainly due to the hyperforin contained in it, which has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. It also supports the development of the skin barrier.

In the specialized aromatherapy book by Ruth von Braunschweig and Monika Werner, there are two basic mixtures that can be added to 100 ml of rose hydrosol and sprayed (especially if the affected area of the skin is very sensitive to the touch) or in 100 ml of St. John's wort oil for application.

Use 100 ml of organic rose water or 100 ml of organic St. John's wort oil as a base for the following two mixtures:

First mixture for herpes zoster

Alternative mix for herpes zoster

In acute cases, add one of the mixtures to 100 ml of organic rose water and spray on the affected area several times a day with a sprayer. For follow-up care, ie. as soon as the symptoms subside, one of the mixtures can be diluted with another 100 ml of organic St. John's wort oil and gently rubbed in once a day for at least eight days.

Emulsion for shingles (Anusati Thumm)

Use one to three times a day. Always shake well before use. Itching and discomfort may occur for a short time after application. After that, all complaints, including the feeling of pain, calm down.

Strengthening the immune system

People suffering from shingles definitely need to boost their immune system. For this purpose it can be used for example black cumin seed oil, as it has immunoregulatory properties. Other ways to strengthen the immune system are morning oil pulling (an ancient Ayurvedic treatment and prevention technique that uses oils to cleanse the mouth) or alternating showers and Kneipp treatments (water exercises, water compresses, steam treatment, etc. water treatments).

A healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, regular exercise and a balanced and healthy diet are also crucial to recovery.

Since stress and overwork are also considered triggers of illness, relaxation and slowing down are also important for the body's overall well-being. Aromatherapy with balancing aroma blends for diffusers, relaxing baths or massage and body care blends offers many possibilities. Aroma roll-on "No stress", a soothing blend of essential oils or organic lavender and vanilla body oil are wonderful products that will help in general strengthening of body and mind.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy does not replace medical treatment for shingles, but appropriate antiviral and soothing essential oil blends can relieve pain, support skin healing, and help restore immune balance.