Shingles.

Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 21:37:56 GMT
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: Graham White <hendongreen.GN.APC.ORG>
Subject: Re: Shingles

> I have been to the doctor and they say I have shingles? How can you tell?

You tend to start off with an ill-defined itchy rash, usually on one side of the back. This then tends to spread around to the front. If it's on both sides of the back that means two nerves are affected. If you get it on the scalp it can take forever to clear.

>What are the symptons? What can you take to stop the pain? I dont like pain

When I had it it wasn't particularly painfull, just vastly irritating.

>pills are there herbs to help out? Can I pass it on to others? Any one out there with the same? Anything will help! thanks in advance

You can't pass it on as it's caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus in the nerves.
My GP gave me Zovirax (an expensive anti-viral drug) which cleared things up, but that was before I was into Herbal Medicine. As shingles tends to reoccur I'd like to know what to do herbally the next time.

From: Susan Couvia <couvia.susan.TCHDEN.ORG>

I had shingles about a year ago. The only herbal remedy that seemed to relieve the symptoms (itch, pain, etc) was using Tea Tree Oil in the bath.

One other thing that seemed to help was frequent trips to the chiropractor. Seems that crunched up nerves only makes the symptoms worse.

From: Karen Mason <karen.GATE.NET>

>You tend to start off with an ill-defined itchy rash, usually on one side of the back. This then tends to spread around to the front. If it's on both sides of the back that means two nerves are affected. If you get it on the scalp it can take forever to clear.

I dont have them really on my back or front. They are on my neck and scalp. Usually about 3-6 small pimple like. Not a rash. Maybe I dont have a severe case but it is bothersome and I cant stant the tingling and pain. Drives me nuts! I guess I may need to resort to zovirax if it will help.

From: Rene Burrough <100735.543.COMPUSERVE.COM>

Graham, it was my understanding that you COULD pass on CHICKENPOX when in the infectious stage of shingles because it is an acute viral infection... reactivation notwithstanding. Hence the suggestion that a person who is in the beginning stages of shingles -- and knows it -- should steer clear of kids (or adults though that's less likely a scenario) who have not yet had chickenpox.

The only guarantee with chickenpox is that at some time in one's life, one could get shingles.

There are three herbs known for relief & restoration in cases of shingles:
Calendula -- Marigold Flowers drunk as a tea. It will relieve the pain in the nerve endings which is where the pain & the itching comes from.
Hypericum -- St John's Wort tea-- has an analegesic effect on many neuralgic pain including shingles. Taken internally. Some herbalists also suggest the use of infused oil on the painful areas. Rubbed in.
Oats -- Oats as in porridge, cereal, oats. Possibly the best food ever for restoring & repairing the nerves damaged in the course of the disease. [It's good for any herpes disease.] It also helps turn around the debilitation felt from long-term shingles especially in cases where the pain lingers well beyond doctors maximum number of weeks guestimate.

None of these is a quick fix. So one application of Hypericum oil and there's still pain does NOT mean that herb is not working. It is, or probably is, but slowly.

Rene Burrough

From: Graham White <hendongreen.GN.APC.ORG>

>Graham, it was my understanding that you COULD pass on CHICKENPOX when in the infectious stage of shingles because itis an acute viral infection...

Yes, sorry you are quite right, there are live viruses (Varicella voster) in the skin vesicles which can be transmitted. I think I meant to say that shingles can't cause shingles (directly).