Shingles are a painful, uncomfortable immune system disorder that can be difficult to manage. It often leaves people feeling frustrated and overwhelmed as they struggle to find relief from the burning sensation, skin rashes, and itching that accompanies this condition. But there is hope!
Natural remedies for shingles provide beneficial holistic practices that have been used for centuries in treating the symptoms of shingles without harsh medications or invasive treatments. Here you will find safe, side-effect-free, natural shingle remedies, including home remedies, Ayurvedic remedies, lifestyle suggestions, and Yoga asanas. They will help you manage shingles pain, heal, and recover more quickly.
What are Shingles?
Shingles are the Herpes zoster virus.
In fact, it's the same infectious virus that causes chickenpox.
Here's the difference:
Chickenpox is spread easily through coughing and sneezing. It can also spread by touching or breathing the virus particles that come from the blisters of someone infected by the virus. Also, you only get chicken pox once, and usually when you're young.
Shingles occur when the same virus reactivates due to stress and/or low immune function. Developing shingles can only happen to a person who has previously had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccination. Shingles are rarely transmitted from person to person either through the air or through exposure to blisters. Additionally, shingles usually affect people over age of 50.
Virus lies dormant
Once the virus enters the body and has caused chickenpox, it doesn't go away. Instead, it lies dormant in the spinal cord, and nerve ganglia forbears until it's activated again (usually) by stress or low immune function.
The virus begins in the lymph nodes and shingles pain is treated by conventional medications including NSAIDs, analgesics, and corticosteroid topical creams.
Medical science suggests that there is no definitive treatment for this condition. The most effective way to treat Shingles is to boost the immune system. Therefore, natural remedies for shingles are often recommended as the safest and best way to ease painful outbreaks and even get rid of the virus.
But before we get deep into the natural treatments for Shingles, let’s get a closer view of the symptoms and causes.
Symptoms of Shingles
Herpes zoster, or shingles, as it is known medically, is a condition when the dormant chickenpox virus reemerges in the nervous tissue. Shingles are quite often localized with painful blisters popping up in just one area.
Once these shingles blisters break, they heal, leaving a pale scar behind, after about 7 days.
The common signs and symptoms of shingles include:
- Itching skin
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Tingling
- Shingles Rash
- Fluid-filled blisters
- Fatigue that persists
- Body-ache
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light
Shingles can appear anywhere on the body; however, it is most commonly found on the skin on the trunk of the body by the ribs. Other common areas are on the vaginal tissues and inside of the mouth.
What Causes Shingles?
As I mentioned in the beginning, Herpes zoster is the primary culprit, but what's interesting is that science is yet to unravel the actual reason behind this reactivation of this viral infection.
Here are some of the most guessed causes of a shingles outbreak:
- Intense chronic stress
- Fatigue
- Weak immune system
- Excessive exposure to heat
- Age (People between 50-80 years are at higher risk)
- Cancer
- Radiation treatments
- HIV/AIDs or such autoimmune conditions
Now that you have an idea of the symptoms and causes, let's talk about how you can start your healing process.
Natural Remedies for Shingles
Lifestyle Solutions
Home Remedies
Ayurvedic Remedies
Yoga
Lifestyle Remedies for Shingles
Keep yourself clean and cool
Take cool baths to ease the pain.
Soak yourself in clean, cool water and allow the skin to dry naturally. Gently, dab yourself dry using a soft, clean cloth. Do not expose the affected skin to warm water or harsh chemicals or hot sun because it could exacerbate or worsen the pain. 
Get rest
Adequate bed rest is the key to faster healing. Through sleep and relaxation, your immune system will be able to restore its strength, encouraging quicker and complete recuperation.
Sugar diminishes the white blood cell count, delaying your recovery. Don't eat it. Find out what happens when you quit eating sugar.
Likewise, caffeine and carbonated beverages dehydrate your body, making it more acidic. Avoid junk foods from your diet (especially while sick). Consequently, they are responsible for low immune function.
Also, avoid processed foods, sugar, (especially high fructose corn syrup), white flour, coffee, fried foods, alcohol, soft drinks, chocolate, and peanut butter.
Include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods in your diet
Eat lots of foods rich in antioxidants that boost your immune system. For example, anti-inflammatory foods like onions and garlic as well as other herbs can boost recovery by enhancing your immune power.
Drink adequate water 
Hydrate yourself with clean, pure water to eliminate the virus from your body. Aim to drink at least 8 oz water once in 90 minutes to flush your intestines and kidneys.
Home Remedies for Shingles
Cool Compresses
Use cool compresses to ease your irritation and pain. Place a clean, soft cloth soaked in cool water over your rash for a few minutes. Repeat with a clean cloth again. However, remember to discard the cloth after use to prevent the spread of the infection.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Oatmeal baths are known to be beneficial for healing irritated skin.
Prepare colloidal oatmeal by mixing 1 cup of oats with lukewarm bath water. Allow the water to turn cool before soaking yourself for about 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with clean, cool water and softly dab dry using a soft cloth.
Calendula
Non-alcohol Calendula tincture, in diluted form, is one of the most recommended natural remedies for shingles.
Alternatively for treating shingles naturally, you can brew the herb by placing 1/2 cup calendula petals in a jar and covering 1 cup 80-proof vodka. Seal with top and leave in sunlight for 2-8 weeks. Strain and transfer to amber tincture bottle. Use this tincture as a topical application to promote healing.
Essential Oils To Treat Shingles
Tea tree oil, Peppermint oil, and Helichrysum oil
All these essential oils are rich in anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Mix 2 drops of each oil with ½ tsp coconut or virgin olive or castor oil and apply to the affected area to ease the pain, promote healing, and prevent scars.
Baking Soda
One of the most popular natural remedies for various itchy skin conditions is baking soda. And, it is pretty safe to use on skin, unless the blisters have ruptured.
Prepare a paste by mixing 1 tbsp soda with 1 tsp water and apply to the affected area. Clean the area after 15 to 20 minutes using a soft cloth dipped in cool water. You can even dissolve a ¼ cup of baking soda in cool water and use it as a compress.
Calamine Lotion
Apply a generous amount of Calamine Lotion to the affected area to ease the redness, itching and inflammation.
Rose Hip Oil
The essential oil of Rosehip has moisturizing properties that help in hydrating the affected area and easing the pain induced by dryness.
Mix 4 drops each of lavender and rose hip essential oil with 1 tsp coconut oil and apply to the blisters to promote scar-free healing. Apply it before bedtime to speed healing.
Vitamin E Oil
Use Vitamin E oil topically. It is anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants and can even help with scarring.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Shingles
Ayurveda is an ancient science that teaches you nature’s great principles of health and natural living. If you are new to Ayurveda, start here: What is Ayurveda?
Shingles is a sign of the fire element (Pitta) going out of balance due to a build-up of toxins in the body related to diet and or lifestyle, which affects the immune system. It’s important that you eat foods that are cooling, (Pitta reducing) and easy to digest.
Ayurveda treats the person, not the disease… So get to know yourself, and learn what combination of qualities you have in your body and mind. When you know which elements make up the majority of your constitution you will know which conditions you thrive in.
Kitchari
I recommend eating kitchari with cooling spices like coriander, cumin, and fennel frequently. (You can use the recipe I hyperlinked and substitute 1/2 teaspoon of coriander, cumin, and fennel)
Licorice
A demulcent herb, licorice adds moisture to the tissues of the body. In addition, it brings heat down in the body. 
You can consume internally or apply topically to ease the painful blisters of shingles.
Mix 1 tbsp powdered licorice with enough coconut oil to make a paste. Apply it over the affected area. Soak a clean, soft cloth in cool water and clean the dried paste after 20 minutes.
You can also prepare licorice tea and consume it 2x a day to soothe and tone your mucous membranes and reduce inflammation.
Echinacea
Maybe the best detoxifying herb in herbalism, Echinacea reduces heat in the body. It is a natural antibiotic. Therefore, echinacea cleanses the blood and lymph and can have a positive effect on puss formation. Additionally, it stimulates the release of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and eases pain and inflammation.
Most of all, the immunity-boosting properties of this herb fight the infection from within. Consume about 2500 mg of Echinacea 2x daily to speed up your recovery.
Discover the ayurvedic lifestyle at The Ayurveda Experience!
Turmeric
A natural antibiotic, antibacterial, and antiseptic, Turmeric strengthens digestion. (Digestion is key to good health). In addition, turmeric is also a tonic for the skin.
You can take it both internally, and make a paste to apply externally to alleviate pain. Add a little cool water to freshly ground turmeric to prepare a paste with a spreadable consistency. Apply on the infected area and dry off after 20 minutes using clean water.
Golden Milk/Moon Milk
I also recommend drinking “Golden Milk” or “Moon Milk before bed at night. It's an anti-inflammatory and delicious drink to boost your immune system.
Neem
One of the most powerful natural remedies for shingles and blood purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurveda. It helps to clear the toxins in most inflammatory skin diseases. It's antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal, and it contains fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleum acid which are highly beneficial for the skin.
Apply neem oil mixed with olive oil to the affected area. A paste made by adding neem oil and turmeric with yogurt could also be used to heal shingles.
Castor Oil for Shingles
Another sought-after natural remedy for shingles is to use a castor oil pack wrap. Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, revered for its versatile and almost magical qualities.
While applied topically, castor oil can help soothe the skin and reduce the pain associated with shingles. Its ricinoleic acid content contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects, potentially alleviating the redness and swelling of the rash. Additionally, castor oil is known to have moisturizing properties, which can be beneficial in preventing the drying and cracking of the skin lesions caused by shingles.
For optimal use, start by applying 3-4 Tablespoons of organic castor oil to the central area of the waterproof cloth/pack, making sure to leave a few inches of border around the border untouched. Let the wrap work its magic for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or leave it on overnight.
Manage Stress
Walking in nature in the morning when it's cool is a wonderful way to reduce the fire element. Additionally, learning to meditate can help tremendously. Meditating for even 12 minutes a day can help you control stress, and anxiety and gain a capacity for relaxation.
Meditation doesn't require lengthy sessions to be effective; even just a few minutes each day can significantly enhance mental and physical health. This brief daily practice can reduce stress, improve focus, and promote overall well-being, demonstrating that quality often trumps quantity in the realm of mindfulness.
Yoga For Shingles
Once you start to practice Yoga, you will begin to enjoy better health, deeper sleep, and a better outlook on life. Yoga has been practiced by countless people for thousands of years for good reason!
You'll also notice an improvement in your posture, flexibility, vision, and general appearance. In other words, you'll feel more vibrantly alive and enjoy better health.
The Yoga postures suggested here help in easing stress and cooling the body, which will set the stage for faster healing. Feel free to use bolsters to support yourself and help you relax deeper.
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Reclining Bound Angle Pose Supta Baddha Konasana
Reclined Bound Angle Pose opens the chest stimulating better circulation. The greater the flow of blood to the brain, the higher the relaxation.
Sit on the floor and extend your legs out. Make sure that your sitting bones are resting on the floor. Bend the knees and join the soles of your feet. Slowly, start reclining on the floor, pushing the elbows on the floor. You can place a bolster at the tip of your spine to help you recline.
Once you lie down completely, rest the hands on either side of your chest, palms facing up and fingers facing back.
Close your eyes and relax. To come out, press the elbows into the floor and come back to starting position.
Balasana
Child's Pose is one of the most recommended restorative yoga poses to help ease the pain by triggering the release of endorphins through better circulation.
Kneel on the floor, buttocks resting on the heels. Spread the knees as wide as your hips, while the heels are in touch. Place a folded blanket between your buttocks and heels if they are not in contact.
Inhale and swing your arms over your head. Exhale and fold forward, resting the abdomen in the space between your thighs. Make a pillow with your hands and rest your forehead on that.
Close your eyes and hold the posture, breathing deeply into the abdomen. To come out, straighten your torso on an inhalation, swing your legs to the front, and relax.
Related Content – 10 Best Yoga Postures for Weight Loss
Abdominal Breathing
Belly breathing is one of the most effective stress-busting techniques. It is pretty simple and can be practiced while sitting or lying down. Just make sure you are doing it on an empty stomach.
Sit down in a comfortable seated posture of your choice, keeping the spine erect. Relax your neck and shoulders and the entire body. Let the palms rest on the knees. Close your eyes. As you inhale, let your abdomen expand.
With your exhalation, allow the belly to fall back and close to your spine. Inhale for a count of 5 and exhale for a count of 10. The idea is to keep the length of exhalations twice that of inhalations. Hence, choose a count that you are comfortable with.
Seethali Pranayama
Calming, cooling breath. This yogic breathing helps to cool the body (which is useful because shingles are a heating condition) and calms anxiety and stress.
Sit down in any comfortable seated position, lengthening your neck and spine, tucking the chin slightly.
Close your eyes and rest your palms on your knees. Curl your tongue inward, allowing the tip to rest on the middle side. Inhale deeply via the tongue, allowing the cool breath to fill your body.
Once you complete inhalation, restore the natural position of your tongue and exhale through your nostrils.
One breath cycle of inhalation and exhalation makes 1 repetition.
Do 10 to 15 such repetitions.
I've given you lots of natural remedies for shingles here. So, it can be helpful to read it over again to digest all the information, or perhaps bookmark it for future reference.
Now, it's necessary to take action. This may mean learning to modify your diet and/or lifestyle, or learning how improve your immune system with Ayurveda, essential oils or Yoga.
Check out what a YogaDownload yoga practice has to offer you today.
Finally, while natural remedies for shingles are quite effective and come with zero side effects, it is advisable to visit a physician if you feel that you are not able to tolerate the pain.
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice a rash near the eyes, failing to do so could result in loss of vision. Also, if the affected person is between 60 to 80 years or has a weakened immune system, immediate medical care is unavoidable.
Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. Thank you for your time and reading.
The information presented here is in no way meant to serve as medical advice. It is merely information and opinion. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or health care provider. If you are experiencing symptoms of any kind, please consult with your physician.
Great website! I feel more calm and in healing mode just by being on it – you have an awesome vibe going on. You list some awesome remedies on here. It’s great that you’ve gone through so many options so if one thing doesn’t work then there’s a bunch of other things you can try. I noticed you don’t mention Epsom Salts – are these not good for Shingles? I know they’re super helpful with other skin conditions.
Thanks!
Martina
Hi Martina, Yes, mixing Epsom with Baking soda is great to relieve nerve pain, itching and also helps to bring swelling down on skin lesions. 1 cup baking soda, 3/4 cup Epsom salt to a luke warm bath.
Wow, you really did your research on shingles home remedies, all your suggestions seems to be what we really should be doing to be healthy anyway. I am a bit scared now after reading your article, I am 57 years old and I had chicken pox as a boy. I did not realize shingles can hit you up to 80 years old, but I love your home remedies and recipes which I saved just in case I do need them to save the day.
I am happy to have found your website while surfing today, do you have any home remedies for other health problems for a rainy day?
Hi there! Yes, we’ve done 4 or 5 in the ‘Natural Remedies’ series, but we try to do one per week, so thanks for checking back for more. Here’s a link to the others: https://motherofhealth.com/natural-remedies Thank you.
Very interesting read. I was very curious about how one got shingles. I was not aware that we had so much control to prevent it in the first place. When they say “1 in 3 develop shingles i figured it was a crap shoot. Now I know what to do if I end up getting it. As well as what I can do now to lessen the chance of getting it. Thank you for the very insightful topic, enjoyed very much learning about what I need to combat this virus. I am 45 now, no time like before it happens to know how to deal with it. If and when I were to get it.
Hi James, Glad you found the article. Thanks for stopping by!
This is a complete and in depth study of the shingles disease. Illustrations of the symptoms help to tell the story of what is happening in the body when shingles appears. There are causes , remedies and diets discussed on the landing page which suggest knowledge of the disease and develops trust for the suggested remedies. The illustrations are realistic and impressive.
The website if filled with helpful suggestions for combating shingles and would be very helpful for anyone who had the misfortune to contract this disease.
This is a very impressive website and I find it hard to critical of any aspect of it. It is well done.
Thanks so much for the feedback Vince!
Goodness, you truly did your exploration on shingles home cures, every one of your recommendations is by all accounts what we should do to be solid in any case. I am somewhat frightened now in the wake of perusing your article, I am 36 years of age and I had chicken pox as a kid. I didn’t understand shingles can hit you up to 80 years of age, however, I adore your home cures and formulas which I spared just on the off chance that I do require them to spare the day.
Yours Truly,
Carlton
Thanks Carlton, Just be sure to keep your immune system functioning well through diet and lifestyle and you should be able to avoid a relapse. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it. 🙂
Jackie,
That was an extremely informative article about shingles. As a person now in my late 50’s, and who had chicken pox as a kid I previously have heard the fact that it would be possible that I could get shingles. As is the case I know of a person who did end up getting shingles and from what she told me it was not a very pleasant experience, this now over a decade ago.
It’s too bad that this great article that you had to take you a lot of time to research was not available.
There is just so much depth of remedies that you included in the article, after initially explaining to the readers exactly what shingles is and the difference between that and chicken pox.
You did not include the dreaded prescription medications as being the only solution to this disease. My now deceased mom, being a member of the medical profession for over 40 years was always extremely cautious when advising people/patients of these types of medications. Often she concluded they were loaded with chemicals that could produce potentially dangerous side effects, including a person becoming addicted to the medication.
It made so much sense that your discussion of yoga being a form of therapy to help a person with shingles was included. As shingles as you stated is partially caused by stress that one encounters in life, yoga is perhaps the greatest form of exercise/meditation that helps a person relieve stress in his/her body.
I will bookmark this article Jackie – just in case for my sake.
Thank you for taking the time to write out the article Jackie, one that will be of great benefit to your readers.
Jeff
Hey Jeff, What a great comment and thank you for taking the time to write it!
Thankfully as a culture we’re moving away from a pharmaceutical model to more holistic ways of caring for our bodies, right? 🙂 Sometimes the cure is more dangerous than the disease.
I had no idea you could use Yoga for Shingles, that is awesome! I am a big proponent of peppermint oil and tea tree oil though, as well as changing your diet and the increased water intake. I also suggest reflexology and Reiki in addition to what you described.
Great article!
Thanks Claudia…Yes, reflexology and Reiki could both be beneficial as well. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I really like your post because it’s really informative. I also like your layout, it’s simple and clean. I work in a nursing home so I know quite a bit about shingles since it is really common in the elderly. However, I had no idea that yoga was a natural remedy for shingles.That’s pretty cool. Great job on your site.
Thanks Lyndsay… As you know yoga is the BEST for stress and certain asanas (poses) can be structured to cool the body down quite effectively. Thanks for commenting.
Such a awesome article on shingles, I never knew there were any home remedies for shingles until reading your article today. I have been concerned about getting shingles lately, I am 57 years old and I had the chick pox at the age of 6 years old.I am saving these remedies to share with others plus keep for myself, just in case I ever need them.
Hi there, Don’t be concerned. Just eat well and make sure you’re digesting well (digestion is the key to good health). If you have good digestion, your immune system is healthier. Thanks for commenting and come back anytime for more natural remedies. 🙂
Thanks for a great article on shingles.I am certain your readers, like myself appreciate the information you have put forward. It is is very informative.
I am very moved to know that there are no definitive treatment for shingles. Let us thank God for the natural remedies. I do know that these diseases have to run its course.
Surely I have learnt something. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.
Thank you and glad you found your way here. 🙂
What an awesome in-depth and informative post! I thankfully do not have shingles but I used to have an acquaintance with it. The poor woman would have to take weeks off from work, and she could never find a comfortable position to be in. I’ll have to refer her to your page. Lots of really great stuff here. Thanks for the information!
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Yes, shingles can be really uncomfortable. Thanks for sharing the article and for taking the time to share.
What an in-depth explanation of shingles. I just knew that chicken pox and shingles have connection. By the way, I have a question. Can a person gets shingles twice in their lifetime or only once like chicken pox? Cheers!
Hi Vivian, Thank you… If you’ve had shingles once, you probably won’t get it again. It can happen, but it’s unlikely.
I’ve seen a sign about shingles at my pharmacy – It seems like a pretty big deal. Luckily I’m not 50 yet – I’ll let furture me deal with this 🙂
Hi Matt, If you keep your immune system functioning well through a healthy diet and lifestyle and keep your stress levels in check, you can minimize your chances. Take good care.
Wow! Very detailed article on shingles. I hope I never get it but at least now i know ways I can prevent it and treat it. I guess the best thing to do is to keep yourself active and healthy. I read the whole article and even the part about Ayurvedic remedies. What does that actually mean?
Hi there Andy… If you’re unfamiliar with Ayurveda, this is a good place to start. https://motherofhealth.com/roots-of-ayurveda
Thank you for the read! 🙂
I have been suffering from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) disease for the past four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulating all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr BOADI and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr. boadi telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,,well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE.
God bless you for the marvelous work in my life.
still don’t know the right words to express my Gratitude!
This is awesome! I always believe in the wonders of natural remedies. My mom used to have shingles and yeah It is because whenever she has a low immune system. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks Charlene
I had chicken pox as a child, then shingles when I was 17 and I am now dealing with shingles again. So it can happen twice in a life time. I find yoga to be helpful in managing the pain and stress that comes with shingles. It is stressful because it hurts. And that’s taxing on the body. Lots of rest, healthy foods, natural foods and yoga. Frog pose is another good option. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting and thank you for sharing Lynn. I wish you a speedy recovery.