Biology 103 [2]
2000 Second Web Report [3]
On Serendip [4]
Allison Hayes-Conroy
Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is an infectious disease that effects nearly twenty percent of the US population at some point in their lives. Resulting from a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes Chicken Pox) shingles plagues the skin and nervous tissues. Often, the disease is very painful and although the skin blisters that result generally heal in a mere one to three weeks, severe nerve pain can last months to years (1) [5]. The treatment of this nerve pain, as well as of the shingles blisters, is the focus of this paper. For the sufferers of such a disease with no known cure, the discovery of treatments from both eastern and western medical traditions which can help alleviate the symptoms is paramount.In order to discuss possible treatments, we first must look at the disease and its symptoms more closely. Shingles is most common in adults. Children who get Shingles will typically have a very mild case. Often, the disease is a sign of an immune system weakened by another condition. Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates and travels through the nerves. Thus, the first symptoms are often burning or tingling sensation along the affected nerves. Forty eight to seventy two hours later, when the virus reaches the skin, red bumps or blisters develop along the skin above the affected nerve (1) [5]. This usually happens on one side of the torso, face, arm, or leg, and can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, chills, or headache (5) [6]. Depending on where the disease manifests, there can be serious complications. Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus occurs when Shingles involves the eye and is very dangerous as it can affect vision and even cause blindness. Otic Zoster occurs when shingles affects the ears. Like Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, it is dangerous as it can result in the loss of hearing. Bell's Palsy is yet another possible complication of Shingles. Bell's Palsy causes the facial nerve to be paralyzed. All three of these complications, being quite obviously serious, necessitate immediate professional attention and intensive treatment often including potent anti-viral drugs (1) [5].
However, the most common complication of Shingles is perhaps the hardest to treat. Even worse, it often does not manifest until the virus has had time to "entrench" itself in the body, making anti-viral drugs somewhat less effective. This is Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), the severe pain that can remain with shingles sufferers months and occasionally even years after the blisters have healed. Of those shingles sufferers over sixty, as many as half will develop Post-Herpetic Neuralgia. Many liken the excruciating pain to the feeling of skin being ripped off or burned. Others say that the pain is worse than that of childbirth, a heart attack, or a war injury. Often the pain of PHN does not respond to medication and thus leaves patients depressed undernourished, dehydrated, and even suicidal (5) [6].
Treatment for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia as well as Shingles blisters can come from a variety of different medicines from narcotics to epilepsy drugs to St. John's Wort to Chinese herbs. Dr. Fred Hui M.D., a Toronto physician, has developed a unique method of treatment for Shingles which combines elements of both eastern and western medicine. The basic principals behind his method, those of bringing together a wide array of treatments in a short time span, could be useful for anyone, patient or doctor, in helping to relieve Shingles symptoms (3) [7].
Typical western medicine, of course, is still a part of this combined east/west Shingles treatment. Antiviral drugs, most effective within the first few days of the disease, are often given to patients. Such drugs include acyclovir and valacyclovir, and are used to help shorten the outbreak of the virus, thus diminishing the possibility of developing Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (5) [6]. The anti-viral drug Valtrex, a brand of valacylovir, has recently been developed, tested, and approved by the FDA for the treatment of Shingles (7) [8]. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids are also helpful as they are thought to have anti-viral activity (6) [9].
If the patient does develop PHN, narcotics such as codeine, anti-depressants such as amitriptylie, and epilepsy drugs such as garbapertin are sometimes used. All three are thought to help blunt the nerve's perception of pain (5) [6]. Dr. Hui mentions "German Neurotherapy" in his list of methods for treating Shingles (3) [7]. This is a therapy which involves nerve blocks, a tactic in which a local anesthetic is injected directly into the affected nerve. However, the relief from nerve blocks is only temporary, lasting approximately a week and a half. And, unfortunately, all of the above mentioned methods only work about half of the time (5) [6].
One typically eastern method of treatment which has been widely accepted by western doctors is a Capsaicin cream or ointment. Capsaicin is the chemical in red pepper responsible for heat (2) [10]. Ointments made with Capsaicin and rubbed into the affected area (usually after the blisters heal) are frequently used and have proven effective in relieving the lingering Shingles pain of some patients (6) [9]. Zostrix, an over the counter medication made with the red pepper extract, has been developed for this purpose (2) [10].
Cayenne or red pepper is not the only "herbal" remedy which appears to be somewhat effective. The homeopathic remedies developed for Shingles are numerous. For example, Arsenicum album can be taken if the pain of the blisters seems to be relieved by heat and if the pain is worse at night. Iris versicolor is often helpful with shingles infection that is accompanied by gastro-intestinal problems and bumps which appear on the abdomen. If the patient is restless and the rash is itchy rather than burns, Rhus Toxicodendron can be taken in a low potency. All three of these remedies, though many claim to have found them helpful, have never been clinically tested. These remedies are probably best used in conjunction with other types of treatment (4) [11].
Dr. Hui also mentions Chinese herbs as one of the methods in his "breakthrough" Shingles therapy. Though he does not specifically state which herbs he uses, there are a few which have been used in the past by other Chinese herbalists. Genitian ( Gentiana macrophylla ) and Oriental Wormwood have been used in treating Shingles blisters. In addition, a tea called San Sheng Yin, made of ginseng, ginger, acomite, costus root, and Tian Nin Xing (Arisalana erubescens), has been used for its pain killing effect (11) [12]. Saint Johns Wort, an herb that has been recognized more and more in western medicine, is also thought to be effective for milder cases of neuralgia. A tea or hot compress can be made from Saint Johns Wort and Lavender, both of which are thought to be good restoratives for the nervous system (10) [13]. The reason that Saint Johns Wort is thought to help is that it contains compounds that act as manomire-oxidase enzyme inhibitors. A warm lotion made from the flowers and leaves may also relieve the burning of the Shingles blisters (9) [14].
In addition to herbs from Chinese and other cultures, Dr. Hui employs a number of hands-on methods in the treatment of Shingles. These include, spinal manipulation, energy techniques such as Reiki, Meditations, and acupuncture (2). Ms. Linda B. Hayes, a Shingles sufferer, uses acupuncture as part of a combined east/west Shingles therapy for the disease. She comments that acupuncture in points along the affected nerve area is helpful in relieving the pain; however, the relief is only temporary, lasting five to six hours. Also, the acupuncture must be done on both the back and front of the torso, or the method will be ineffectual. Interestingly, the acupuncture, in conjunction with Darvaset (a narcotic pain reliever) and a red pepper extract cream, relieves Shingles pain best during times of high barometric pressure. Pain is worst, Hayes claims, on days when the barometric pressure is low (8) [15].
Ms. Hayes, like many other shingles sufferers has not come across a treatment that provides 100 percent alleviation of her symptoms. Unfortunately, as shown by the seeming affect of barometric pressure in Ms. Hayes, Shingles pain varies greatly from patient to patient. Perhaps this is the reason that methods which combine a variety of elements from the eastern and western medical traditions come closer to a "cure." Though such methods cannot be guaranteed, they show signs of offering some important relief. Perhaps more research conducted on this more rounded and wholistic style of treatment will yield even better theories for new Shingle pain therapy.
WWW Sources
1)"Discovery Health: Shingles" [16], updated August 09, 20002)"Herbal Remedies Cayenne: The Hottest Healer" [17], updated July, 2000
3)"Herpes Zoster, Shingles - A Dramatic Breakthrough" [18], Herpes Zoster Treatment
4)"Homeopathic Remedies for Herpes Zoster" [19], Herbal remedies
5)"Hope for Pain After Shingles" [20], updated February 4, 1999
6)"Shingles" [21], Marks, Thomas
7)"New Shingles Therapy Approved by FDA" [22], October 12, 1995
Other Sources
8) Hayes, Linda. Personal Interview. November 7, 2000. [23]
9) Lipp, Frank J. Herbalism. Duncan Baird Publishers, London. 1996. [23]
10) Ody, Penelope. Home Herbal. Darling Kindserley, London. 1995. [23]
11) Tang, Stephen, & Richard Craze. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Berkley Books, New York. 1995. [23]
my grandmother was taught a tea that I personally saw cure a man that had a belt of blisters and could not get out of bed he followed the directions and 2 days later he was up and shopping in town anyone interested ... Rob, 5 March 2007
Re "Eastern and Western Shingles Treatment" -- what exactly is "manomire-oxidase"? I'm guessing your author is thinking of "monoamine" oxidase ... Daniel Reeders, 26 May 2007
Comments
Herbal incense consists of [24]
Herbal incense consists of aromatic biotic components, which let out thick, aromatic smoke once burned. The term "incense" refers back to the ingredient itself, as opposed to the aroma which it creates. It can be utilized in religious traditions, aromatherapy meditation, for developing a spiritual atmosphere, as well as for masking unpleasant odors.
Shingles on Face And In Hair [25]
I was just diagnosed with Shingles yesterday. I am on Valtrex and 4 days of Prednisone. It is in my hair, on my forehead, across my one eyebrow and on the eyelid into the corner of of the eye. Everyone is right, the pain is HORRID. I had Shingles when I was 30 and I am now in my late 50's. I tried a cream you can buy online and it has done wonders for me. It is Corium 21. I understand it is one of the purest forms of Aloe. and it really helps
Alleviating Shingles Pain [26]
In the last week of January this year, shingles started with mild pain at top of my floating ribs on the right side of my torso - front of body. The rash appeared about 4 days later and the pain was becomong more than irritable - similar to the pain from mild infection or inflammation; in a day it progressed to my back at the same level. Doctor prescribed valacyclovir (viral treatment) and gave me some free samples of pregabalin - a pharm rep had left with him. By the following day, the pain was unbearable, and I graduated to codeine/paracetomol. The blisters disappeared quickly - I assumed the antiviral worked, though the red colourations have taken 2-3 weeks to fade substantially. In this early stage the pain felt mainly internal - the rash/blisters were not too bothersome.
Five weeks later and the pain remains more than annoying, it is debilitating, prevents good rest and induced a return to the doctor, for stronger pain-killers (Oxycodone - a one week course). As the rash/blistered area became itchy/felt like sunburn I treated it with Solosite (tradename product), which worked reasonably well, and readily washes away, but as it dries, it collects inside your shirt. The pain, which has varied between the worst sensations of sunburn or cramp, broken ribs, backbone flu aches, reflux and electric shock has varied in intensity, duration and location (around the torso) - felt like the "quickening" or getting X-rayed for radioactive spider-bite when lightning strikes the radiology lab, except that I don't expect to gain immortality or superpowers. Hopefully, some indication of the pain has been conveyed.
I noticed early that some relief would onset soon after drinking coffee, lasting maybe 2-3 hours. The codeine products also worked initially, 3-4 hours of some relief, but not enough to make it disappear entirely. One frustrating night, I ingested the prescribed dosage of codeine and 20 mins later decided I would have very, very strong coffee to help alleviate more pain or simply make me so "speedy" I would not notice the tiredness afflicting me. Within another 20 minutes, the pain subsided substantially and remained that way for 6-8 hours. For the last 2 weeks I have been using this remedy very effectively, inconjunction with non-codeine additive products (ibuprofen, paracetomol) and the same with codeine added. It works best with the codeine added products. I take it in the day only, not at night time. Normally I am somewhat tolerant of coffee - I can sleep soon after drinking it, and require about 3 mugs to begin to feel wired (I prefer drinking tea). Like another comment here - I found the Oxycodone only worked about 1-2 hours, but I didn't mix this with the coffee as I saved it for when i wanted to sleep.
To offset constipation from Oxycodone and Codeine, I kept eating a variety of fruit (soft fibre - apples grapes, melon, peaches) and vegetables (firm fibre - carrots, beans, lettuce, sprouts etc). Passage took a while in the 2-3 weeks I daily took codeine, and required a senna based stimulant, but when it occurred, it happened smoothly and relatively quickly.
Any of you who have suffered this affliction, you are now in my prayers.
John
help for Recurring shingles [27]
My 85 yr old mother was attacked by Shingles on Nov 10 - starting on left side of her torso. It was diagnosed only diagnosed after 72 hours at which time FAMCYCLOVIR was prescribed. After 3 days of FAMCYCLOVIR, the blisters continued to spread to her back with excruciating pain so we decided to seek the help of a Chinese Herbal doctor who gave her some herbs to boil and drink for several days plus the daily application of a poultice-like paste. After 20 days, the blisters had dried up but the post herpetic pain was unbearable so we went to physician who hydromorphone which provided much relief..
Today is Jan 11, It seems that mom's shingles have reappeared and this time they are appearing all around her waist and not just on one side. Can someone please give us an idea which antivirals are the most effective. ( famcyclovir? , zovirax?).
Any suggestions on quick-acting natural antivirals? Any help will be appreciated. Please send tea recipe if this will help stop the spread of the shingles. thank you.
SHINGLES [28]
Am on daily dose of 600mg(2 pills 150mg each twice daily) of LYRICA PREGABALIN daily since DEC27, (10 days today) have noticed considerable success.good luck with your treatments...
Shingles tea recipe [29]
I was just diagnosed with shingles and luckily I am also studying alternative and herbal Medicine. I created the following tea recipe and have been using it for the past day.
Boil water, take off heat, add in 1-2 teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves, 1/2 tsp lavender flowers, 1/2 tsp mullein leaves, 1/2 tsp liicorice root, (optional, fresh cut Ginger or crushed cinnamon sticks for flavor).
Lemon balm Is a nervine and has strong anti viral, antiseptic, and calming properties. Mullein Inhibits the herpes simplex virus and can also gently reduce pain. Lavender is a strong nervine and is commonly used for alleviating tension, stress, and insomnia. Licorice root stimulates the bodys immune system and fights inflammation, it is a very sweet herb on it's own, and it is not recommended for long term use ( no more than 6 weeks) also, DO NOT use licorice root if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or any disease of the thyroid, kidney, liver, or heart.
Also, if you are having pain due to shingles there is a paste that I make that works great without the side effects of OTC drugs. Mix 1 tbsp pure aloe Vera gel with 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper. Apply to test patch of skin, if it burns add more aloe Vera. It is a sensation like an icy hot patch that takes away the pain. Cayenne contains capsaicin, a substance responsible for temporarily blocking the nerve transmission of pain.
I also started supplementing with l-lysine, an amino acid responsible for healthy immune function and have used both the tea and the paste with no side effects. I bought all the herbs at whole foods market or vitamin cottage very cheap. I feel as if I have stopped the virus from spreading and am now in recovery. Hope this helps. May you all be on the road to healing and
recovery
Hugs... [30]
I just wanted to let everyone on here know that I feel your pain. I was just diagnosed with Shingles for the first time, after a week of misdiagnosis and tests. The pain is almost unbearable. This is by far and away the worst experience, pain wise, of my entire life (almost 40 years). After reading down through all these comments, all I can offer is my understanding, and a cyber hug to everyone else who is suffering from this dreadful occurrance. I just missed what was supposed to be the best Thanksgiving ever because of this and to be blunt, it sucked. I'm on so many different medications at the moment, and have been for the last week that I feel like I could be a one woman drugstore. Ugh. My hugs, prayers, and heartfelt sympathy goes out to each and every one of you!!!
Shingles Pain Relief [31]
I contracted shingles two months ago. My doctor prescribed famciclovir and I started taking it the same day the rash appeared. She was reluctant to prescribe pain medication initially. I tried to gut it out but the pain was debilitating. Before going back to her I tried taking medical marijuana, which has been legalized in the state where I reside.
I took a cannabis concentrate which is created via a water process. The only two reagents are the plant material and water. I placed about 100 mg of this cannabis concentrate under my tongue. The taste was herbal and pleasant. The analgesic effect was remarkable. I did not experience a "high." I think the cannabis relaxed me in a way comparable to taking a valium. I typically took the cannabis twice per day, once late morning and once before bed. I maintained this regimen for a month, then I stopped using the cannabis and it has been a month before taking it. I did not experience any craving for the cannabis once I stopped taking it.
One week into my shingles I had to take a short trip via air. I did not want to go through TSA security with cannabis so I returned to my doctor for pain medication. During this trip I used oxycodone. The analgesic effect was about the same as the cannabis, although the relief was very short lived, typically only a couple of hours per pill. I experienced mild constipation and I was very apprehensive about risks to my liver from the acetaminophen in this medication. As soon as the trip ended I resumed cannabis use which seemed more effective and less risky.
Your positive experience with cannabis might help others [32]
Thanks so much for sharing your positive experience with cannabis. If anyone who has such firsthand experience were willing to share it publicly, it might be very helpful in states such as mine (NH) where efforts to legalize medical cannabis are underway. If you enter "legalize medical cannabis NH" in your search engine, you will find sites that would appreciate your testimonies. Best wishes to all.
One note to the person who used coffee to diminish pain… I'm guessing it helps because it helps constrict the blood flow temporarily. Coffee is high in arginine, which the shingles virus thrives on. You might want to experiment with other substances that constrict blood vessels that are low in arginine. I had lots of short-term success with a topical ointment called "Tattoo Soothe" offered by the Piercing Pros, because it combines lidocaine and epinephrine. I don't use it regularly because it might have a rebound effect, similar to Afrin. But for 'special occasions' it's quite effective - even more so than the lidocaine gel my doctor prescribed that was 4 times the strength, but lacked epinephrine. Best luck to all!
Cure for shingles [33]
Interesting enough. This is what worked for me and it if a free plant that grows everywhere ( should i say a shrub or a small tree). Shingles are contained if you make decoction. I applied leaves sap from the Mountain Laurel tree and it helped. Try it for yourself. Save some money. Peace.
happy herpicide tea [34]
This is a tea I have used successfully on other herpes virus illnesses. I don't know if it will work for shingles or not. This is a direct quote from MotherNature.com
"Lemon balm is not the only mint with antiviral, anti-herpes activity. There are a whole bunch of other herbs in the mint family that are almost as effective.
Here's where I plug my Happy Herpicide Tea, which is made from several herbs that are members of the mint family: hyssop, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, sage, self-heal (yes, this is the name of a widely available herb) and thyme.
To make the tea, fill a saucepan half full of water. Bring the water to a boil, then add fresh lemon balm leaves until the pan is about three-quarters full. If you don't have access to fresh leaves, you can use about a quarter-cup of dried lemon balm. (This is an unusually high amount of herb for brewing a tea, but you really need a lot of it to get the antiviral action that you want.) To the lemon balm and water, add two parts each of dried oregano and self-heal and one part each of hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme.
Aside from the lemon balm, the actual amounts of the other herbs don't make much difference; just make sure you use twice as much of the oregano and self-heal as you do of the others. Finally, toss in a little licorice root to sweeten the tea and steep it for 20 minutes.
This mixture contains a dozen compounds that are active against herpes. The list of chemicals in this brew is rather imposing, but you should know what you get for going to all this trouble: caffeic acid, geraniin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin, lysine, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, tannic acid, thymol, tocopherol and zinc."
for topical use [35]
I've never suffered with shingles but my anut does. A naturopathic practitioner told her to get a glass jar of olive oil, put in bay leaves and leave in the sun until the oil goes pink/red then apply to painful sites to relieve pain and to clear up welts. Good lyck to you all, I hope this helps
Fenugreek maybe... [36]
My mom has shingles and is taking Valtrex. She also takes Fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in water. She takes approximately a quarter teaspoon thrice a day....swallows, its too bitter to chew. It has L-lysine which seems to prevent the virus from multiplying. The blisters seem to be going down in a couple of days. She is also on a b_complex and vit. C...lower dose than I would like. The pain seems to be better. Green tea bags brewed for more than 3 minutes, squeezed and placed on the blisters should help...tannins a fabulous way to help with the pain and infection. Hope this helps some of you relieve your pain. Good luck.
Meena.
Shingles [37]
A week after my husband developed shingles and in a great deal of pain, I went to the health shop and on asking what might be good for it, I was given some homeopathic tablets called Rhustox. I also got some Lysine tablets and echinaccea. Although he had been taking antiviral drugs for five days given to him by his doctor, they did not appear to help. After one day of taking the Rhustox tablets, he had a lot less pain and after about a week his blisters were all dried up and all the pain was gone. He has never had a relapse from them since. I now have shingles in the ear and am taking antiviral drugs, but am also taking rhustox tablets. I have no pain in the ear. I have a sore lower back in the spinal area and feel very tired all the time. I also take turmeric and manuka honey for any inflammation.
the Apple Cider Vinegar is [38]
the Apple Cider Vinegar is definitely helping to reduce the roaming pains. I'm taking 2 tablespoons every 1-11/2 hours as soon as I notice the significant return of the roaming pains.
?Did you take it orally or [39]
?Did you take it orally or topically? I am assuming orally, as 2 tablespoons is a lot.
I have been scanning shingles [40]
I have been scanning shingles sights for days (since I found out that I have shingles and not just a bite) this is day 8 for me and so far have tried acupuncture yesterday which so far seems to have made it worse as last night was the worst yet. i've been using lemon balm tee which i read about in my herb book and trying to cut out all sugar & processed foods as well as coconut oil topically and orally. I applied Apple Cider Vinegar at about 1am this morning after reading that it has helped some people and took 2tablespoons. I managed 4 hours sleep after that (I had also taken 4 paracetamol tablet though)and this morning i reapplied the ACV on a cloth and wrapped it on with cling film. I'm still in pain but am not in tears so maybe some relief?
Shingles Tea Recipe [41]
My father has cancer and shingles and cannot take the pain any more. Nothing is really helping including the fact he's been hospitalized for the last 2.5 weeks for severe shingle pain treatment.
Would really appreciate the tea recipe to help treat shingles.
Thank You
tea recipe please [42]
tea recipe please
tea recipe please [43]
tea recipe please
Herbal remedy nervine tonic herbs [44]
The herbal remedy which offers me substantial releif to the nerve pain of shingles is available at Whole Foods Market or other health food stores with herbal supplements.
Gaia Herbs is the brand and Scullcap/St. Johnswort Supreme is the herbal extract combination I use. It can be applied topically, to the skin, and taken mixed with cold water as a tea. I buy it in 2 oz dropper bottles for about $22 and they usually have to special order it for me.
I always keep one or two bottles on hand, and if I feel the pain coming on, take two to three droppers full in a small amount of water three times a day. If I have breakouts, I put a few drops right on the area of the breakouts.
tea recipe [45]
It seems that everyone who writes here is looking for this miraculous tea recipe...
Would you tell me where it is or at least what is it?
brother's shingles post herpetic pain stopped with seaweed salad [46]
My brother's shingles post herpetic pain is stopped with seaweed salad for at least 3 days. If you suffer with shingles post herpetic pain check with your doctor first before trying this; however, my brother has achieved total relief if he eats about 1/4 cup of seaweed salad found in your grocery store near the sushi!!
His pain totally disappears; however, if he stops eating it, the pain slowly comes back. This is worth a try!!
seaweed salad for shingles pain [47]
How many days did your brother have to eat the seaweed salad before he noticed the reduction in his pain. I did buy some for my dad but he has only tried it once and it did not seem to help.
A Green Tea treatment [48]
I found this article about using Green Tea to alleviate the pain of after shingles outbreak. Wish I had it when my husband first had the outbreak. Here is what I copied:
Green Tea for Shingles
I was diagnosed with shingles and given Zocor, calamine lotion and pain meds for treatment and told that symptom relief is the only possibility and it takes three days.
Read someplace that green tea can be useful and as I had organic green tea bags in the cupboard, I tried it. If anyone has ever experienced shingles, they know they would try anything. I poured boiling water over the tea bag to hydrate it and then removed it from the water and squeezed as much excess water as possible. As soon as it was cool enough to touch, I placed it over the blisters and covered it with plastic wrap to keep my clothes dry.
After 20 minutes the burning and itching had burning had stopped completely. I changed the tea bag after about 3 hours but wore one placed over the affected area constantly for the day. By the end of the day, most of the swelling and redness had gone but more importantly the itching and burning was totally gone after the first 20 minutes and did not return. I continued to use the tea bags for three days and after that there was no sign they had ever existed.
I have scars and discolorations on my skin from previous episodes but since I have started using green tea, I have not gotten any new ones. How often I get the outbreaks have decreased and the severity is not as bad. They still have not gone away completely but I can now live with them. (substituted organic green tea with lemon one day as that was what I had in the house but it did not work at all. I just get the organic green tea bags in the grocery store and the ones with lemon were the same brand so who knows. Maybe it had to do with the lemon. So use only green tea)
Read more: http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/green-tea-for-shingles.html#ixzz0esRldsqf
Shingles Tea [49]
Please send me the tea recipe for shingles. Thank you in advance.
tea recipe [50]
can someone send me the recipe? Please?
Tea Recipe [51]
Please send me the tea recipe. Thank you
Tea recipe [52]
Does anyone have the "tea recipe"? I have seen several postings about a tea recipe but have not seen the actual recipe. Does the recipe exist?
tea for shingles [53]
shingles for 3 years off and on mostly on now for 3 months have tried all would love tea recipe totally miserable and desperate THANKS
83 year old with shingles [54]
Please send tea recipe. thank you
shirleys-wellness-cafe.com [55]
www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/shingles.htm
check out this site.there is an effective nutritional support for Herpes virus sufferers called camu camu, putting shingles into remission and actually cutting the expected flare-up time .hope it provides some help .get well soon
name of tea or tea recipe [56]
Please advise the name of the tea or the tea recipe to help with the relief of shingles. Thank you.
tea recipe please [57]
tea recipe please
Will someone please post the tea recipe on this page? [58]
A friend of mine was just diagnosed with shingles and would like the recipe as well. Can someone who has the recipe please post it as a comment? That way others who want it can just read it and won't have to wait for someone to email it to them.
Thanks in advance!
I have been dealing with [59]
I have been dealing with shingles on the left side of my face and in my ear for 3 months now. Nothing seems to work to delete the pain. It is driving me insane! Xanax at night gets me about 5 hrs of sleep. Thats a Godsend! I hate taking all the pain meds. Any suggestions? Also, what is the tea that evryone is speaking about? Thanks for any info and help.
Mike
Long term viruses curable by nosodes [60]
My mother was completely cured of shingles and its virus in 2002 by a nosode and has not had it since. She got shingles from Measles which she'd had in childhood. She never had chicken pox. The practitioner said this was the second time he'd seen someone get shingles from measles virus.
Mom was cured within 3 months by taking a measles Nosode, which is a homeopathic prepared from the actual pathogen. A nosode removes the bug from the body.
There is also a nosode for herpes zoster. I had chicken pox and was cleared of that virus many years later by a nosode. There is a also a nosode for herpes simplex which cures that too (again speaking from experience).
I have used nosodes on many other pathogens besides viruses with a very high cure rate as long as you get the correct nosode for your bug from a good supplier. They cost about $8 plus shipping for one bottle, which is usually enough to determine whether it is working.
John
Herpes Zoster Cure? [61]
John,
My mother got Shingles, on her head, over 2 years ago and has been suffering from the after-affects ever since.
What are nosodes?
How do they work?
Could you please share a reliable nosode supplier? $8 sounds very affordable.
Be advised, she does not tolerate medications well. The Dr. keeps giving her various allergy meds to help w/the roaming pain. It seems to give here a little relief, but makes her light-headed and dizzy. Not Good!
Drugs to take the edge off, for example those given during outpatient surgery such as cataracs, knock her out completely.
Thanks for your help!
Marla
Help for Shingles [62]
There is a book called, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that tells of vitamins, herbs and other recommendations. The Vitamin C with bioflavinoids aids in fighting the virus and boosts you immune system. Other vitamins to look into include: L-Lysine (actually and amino acid), Vitamin B complex, B12, Zinc, Calcium & Magnesium, Vitamins, A, D & E. Flax oil added to foods is supposed to promote healing of the skin and nerve tissue. A liver detox kit might help, too.
Tea Recipe [63]
Please send me tea recipe
Shingles - Herpes [64]
I have tried many remidies over the last few years to try to help with the pain from shingles and herpes. This article was one of the best I have read and I am very interested in getting the receip for the tea.
I have been on Gabapentin as well as Valtrex for the last few yeras and would love to be able to manage the outbreaks and pain herbally. My body's defense is very depleated, it is like fighting off an aggressive virus 24/7. After while your body wears out. I find that I am so exhausted fomr the continual pain, I would love to find an herbal treatment that would help rebuild my immune system.
What I wanted to shard with the rest of the readers is a salve I have discoverd that helps while you have blisters. It is made by Thursday Plantation, and it is called Tee Tree Oil Anteseptic.
Thursday Plantation puts out several products that you might find helpful.
shingles treatment/immune system [65]
My husband is suffering from shingles , and he has started on a regimen of supplements at my suggestion. I suffer from meniere's disease, (extreme vertigo) which is caused by the same virus. I take L-lysine is along with citrus bioflavonoids. I buy super lysine plus, by quantum . It is just from a local health food store. The citrus bioflavonoids plus hesperidin are by natural factors , and help build up your immune system. My husband is also taking evening primrose oil for healing. There is also an l-lysine lip balm that stops cold sores in its track, and I'm sure it would do the same thing for the blisters from shingles. My husband started on these supplements two days ago and the numbness on his face is subsiding. Hope this works for you. There is also an injection you can receive for shingles prevention after the age of 60, is $150.00, and you have to be shingles-free when you get it. Hope this is helpful.
Shingles Tea Recipe [66]
My father is suffering with shingles terribly and I would love to have the tea recipe. I think he would do just about anything at this point!! Thanks!!
yea recipe for tea [67]
I am four weeks into shingle pain. Doctors dope me up for it So I can not work Help please. I need the recipe for the tea
tea recipe [68]
Please send me the tea recipe that everyone is talking about. I am going through my second case of shingles and this case is worse than the first time. A few years ago I had shingles and cured it in three days with an herbal tea that smelled and tasted awful as well as making a compress from the tea. That recipe is in my storage unit states away and for the life of me I can not remember what all was in it. I really need your help.
The Darned Tea! [69]
Did you ever go back to your storage unit for the tea recipe? I need it so very badly now. Please reply.
Shingles Tea recipe [70]
Please send me the Tea recipe for relieving Shingles.
Thank you
please send tea receipe for [71]
please send tea receipe for shingles, thanks
PHN [72]
I have had PHN (from Shingles) for 7 months now and seemingly with no end in sight. I have taken just about every medication mentioned above and would consult a witch-doctor if I thought it would do any good.
I have been through all the different phases of the disease and am currently "justing living with it." I read that only 4% of the people who experienced it have long term disorder but most of my acquaintances who had it longer than 6 months seemed to have it for "years." I empathize with everyone who ever had this disorder - and I hope those who have not had it get the Merck Vaccine.
The Merck Vaccine costs about $200 in St. Louis, MO from the Visiting Nurses Association but let me tell you that IF your over the age of 60 and you don't get this shot you will KICK YOURSELF FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE - I know this for a fact. I have spent several thousand dollars AFTER getting the disease and suspect I have many thousands more to go. I am on Lyrica now and it costs me $100 a MONTH with my insurance. Without insurance - try $270 (at Walgreens). And one more point about the "medications" - generally they don't work as advertised and more often leave you EXHAUSTED to the point you feel your life is just passing you by.
Shingles is not a trivial disease. I had previously lost a kidney, had neck surgery, and noting compares to this disease. Don't kid yourself if you have not experienced it - this is a LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCE. The pain, and/or discomfort level is almost constant. If I had not been retired I would have been unemployed. I spent three months in bed sick to my stomach (where a large patch of the shingles originated across my back.)
What has worked:
Ice packs provide some temporary relief
AVOID at all costs any Hot baths
Lyrica ONLY in the early most painful periods of the disease (not worth it as the pain declines)
EQUATE Pain Reliever PM (At Walmart) plus Gabapentin (Dr. RX) one each at bedtime (provide some sleep at night)
Capacian (red pepper) ointments (generic brands the least expensive at Walgreens) (seems to help my friends who have it on their face - don't EVER Take a HOT bath with this stuff on or you will SCREAM at top of your lungs and your skin will turn crimson.)
Aspirin during the day with the Gabapentin when it is especially bad. (note: the pain goes up and down with no advanced warning.)
I take a full complement of vitamins but I have do idea as to there effect (Wife says say take them:)
As to what doesn't work - that would include everything else :)
Finally, if you or your family members are just beginning treatment - be patient with one another and hope your disease is not part of the 4% who experience long term pain.
Good luck to all.
PHN [73]
I sympathize with you. My father has been dealing with PHN for 8 months now with no end in site with this severe pain. I let him read your experience with PHN and it was as though he would have written the same things. He has tried so many narcotics, steriod injections, selective nerve root injection, qutenza patch, creams, acupuncture, etc. Nothing seems to take the pain away. Do you still have the PHN and if so, have you found anything else that has helped the pain?