If anyone has had shingles before then they know the agony that goes along with an outbreak. The burning or shooting pain, followed by painful stabbing rash or blisters, and can also include fever, headache, chills, and upset stomach.…it is not pleasant experience. If one is looking for an alternative treatment to shingles other than pharmaceuticals, look no further than this effective home remedy from simple ingredients found in your cabinets.

Shingles are caused by the chicken pox virus which sits dormant on the nerve endings near the spinal cord and brain. It becomes reactivated as shingles later in life from stress or weakened immunity. It can be especially serious for seniors because their immunities cannot fight off the virus as well.

Complications can arise if immediate treatment is not sought out. Shingles on the face could lead to problems with hearing or vision. A most common complication is a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. PHN is severe to debilitating pain in the areas where shingles were located, even after the rash is cleared up. There is a chance of the pain persisting for many months or years in some cases.

If medical treatment is sought out there are several types of antivirals that are available to help shorten the length and severity of the illness.

Luckily, there is an effective alternative to pharmaceuticals that will stop the virus in its tracks. Once the feeling of shingles starts to creep up it very important to stop and evaluate one’s lifestyle.

1. Note the nourishment that your body has been fed. Adjust accordingly. Good whole food is key to boosting immunity and healing quicker.
2. Stress is a major trigger for shingles. If possible, it is best to remove or put space between oneself and the stressful situation so that healing may commence.
3. Exercises, like yoga, can help one achieve a sense of control and balance. When our bodies are out of whack they react to that imbalance by falling ill. It is important to gain balance on all levels

Treatment

After one evaluates their lifestyle, they need to take action against shingles. The following are steps that have been effective with treating shingles naturally.

Items Needed:

1. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

*Note: The type of apple cider vinegar used in this remedy is extremely important. It must be raw, organic, unfiltered, unprocessed, and with “the mother” to be able to effectively neutralize the virus

2. Juice

3. Virgin Coconut oil

4. Gauze

5. Medical tape

6. Paper towels

7. Trash can

Instructions for Topical Treatment

• Set up a nice quiet, clean space to treat the shingles.

• Ready about 1 tablespoon or so of coconut oil, gauze, medical tape, paper towels and a trash can.

• Wash hands before treatment

• Take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a bowl and dilute it with ½ cup of water.

• Soak 3-4 folded up paper towels into the ACV and cover the infected area with the paper towels for about 20 minutes (note: if the solution stings too bad and one cannot handle it, dilute the solution with more water for a more tolerable treatment)

• After about 20 minutes remove the paper towels and discard into the trash can

• Apply the coconut oil liberally to the infected area. The coconut oil has antiviral properties that that combat the virus and keep the skin and blisters moisturized.

• If possible, cover with gauze and seal with medical tape to contain the oil

• Wash hands after treatment

• Repeat this process at least twice daily, if not more

Instructions for Ingested treatment

• Mix 1 teaspoon of ACV to 8 oz of juice or water

• Drink 3-4 times a day along with the topical treatment to attack the virus from the inside and outside

• Drinking the ACV will help with manage the pain from the blisters

*Take caution when applying this treatment if you have a case of shingles near the eye area or other sensitive body parts.

It is more work than just taking a pill, but for those of us who want an effective alternative treatment and are willing to take the necessary steps to do so, then please give it a try. This was a great alternative when I was in the early stages of pregnancy, had a shingles outbreak, and wanted to find an alternative to the pharmaceuticals prescribed. It took 2 weeks and a lot of diligence to be completely healed.