Shingles(Herpes Zoster) – Natural Treatment. Risks During Pregnancy.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) – Natural Treatment
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Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is an acute infection of the central nervous system. The virus that causes chicken pox, is the reason for its appearance.  The condition is painful, and usually occurs in people over 50s. It is not related to sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes, oral herpes or herpes simplex. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia.

What causes herpes zoster (shingles)?

This is a rash, that occurs as a result of virus, causing chickenpox. It is called "varicella-zoster virus" and it part of group of the herpes viruses. The body can not throw him out, and it lie dormant  in our nervous system. But certain emotional states can activate it again, and:

• reaction to certain medications
• food allergies
• liver exhaustion
• constipation
• stress
• immune deficiency
• AIDS
• cancer, unhealthy eating
• diabetes
• recent surgery

If you've ever had chickenpox, you are at risk group, but most often it occurs in people over late 50s.

Signs and symptoms

Before rash is visible to the naked eye, you may notice burning pain, as skin becomes sensitive to touch. Shingles/herpes zoster starts with small bubbles with a red base,  and in the meantime new bubbles in the meantime, for 3-5 days. The duration of the rash may take three, four weeks. From time to time, one may feel pain, but without blisters.

More symptoms:

• pain on one side of the face or body, accompanied by fever, chills, headache or upset stomach
• tingling, redness, itching, skin irritation and rash, several days later
• burning, burning pain

Is it contagious herpes zoster?

The virus can be transmitted to children, adults, babies, who have not suffered from chickenpox, so the answer is - yes. Interestingly, instead of developing shingles, these people are infected with chickenpox. Shingles ( herpes zoster) is contagious until then, when the rash forms a scab, then it can not spread.

Is herpes zoster/ shingles dangerous to pregnant women?

Pregnant women are prone to herpes zoster, but fortunately, very rare. To be secured in later stages of pregnancy, pregnant women should not take NSAIDs. Attention !Women, who have vaccination for shingles, should wait 3 months before trying to get pregnant.

 It is known that chicken pox can cause birth defects in infants, depending on, when infection occurred. If you do not know, or do not remember whether you have chickenpox, it can be detected with a blood test.

Treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) with natural folk remedies

Echinacea

It strengthens the immune system by reducing inflammation of the nerve endings. It is effective against bacterial and viral infections.

Oats

It is used to reduce stress and strengthen the nervous system. The ability to manage stress  is important for control of sharpness and outbreaks of infection by herpes zoster.

St. John's Wort

It's incredibly nerve tonic and pain reliever. It can be used in the treatment of stress and depression with great success.

Note * Do not expose to sunlight and ultraviolet light when taking St. John's wort.

Common Balm

This herb fights various forms of herpes and has antimicrobial and antiviral effect. It can be used externally and internally.

Cayenne pepper and flaxseed oil reduce pain from shingles.

Old herbal recipe of Maria Treben treats  shingles !!!

Required herbs:

20 g. Oak bark

10 g. Alchemilla

20 g. Oats

10 g. Chamomile

25 g. Sage

10 g. White Melilot

Mix all herbs. Take 4 tablespoons of the mixture and put it into 1 liter of water. Let it to boil for 5 minutes and remove it from the stove. Leave for 3 minutes to soak. Apply this infusion several times a day. Wrap into a linen handkerchief the rest of the herbs (slightly warmed) and impose it overnight on inflammatory spots.

Diet

• Patients with shingles should avoid antibiotics, penicillin, tetracycline, aspirin. Go to cleansing diet.
• Consume carrot juice, rosehip tea, apple juice, celery, beets, cucumbers, cabbage and natural cranberry juice daily.
• Patients with shingles should avoid foods that are acid forming, fried foods, salt and soft drinks.
• Avoid refined foods with high sugar content.