The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are up to one million cases of shingles in the United States every year. About one in three people in the United States will develop shingles at some point in their lifetime. Shingles refers to the reactivation of the dormant herpes varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) after childhood. Various illnesses, aging, trauma, and stress can all activate the virus. 

If you had chickenpox as a child, the shingles virus remains dormant in the body. It can reactivate later in life in the form of the shingles rash, which can occur on any part of the body, but it typically affects small sections. When the virus begins, you may notice pain and itching in the skin before the signature rash appears one or two days later. Typically, small, water-filled blisters accompany the rash. Those blisters eventually rupture, scar, and fade over a few weeks. That process, however, can be very uncomfortable and painful. Other potential symptoms of shingles can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Chills

If you think you have shingles, it’s best to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, especially if it’s on your face or near the eyes. While there isn’t a cure for shingles, doctors often prescribe antiviral medication to help accelerate recovery and reduce the duration of symptoms. Although an antiviral treatment is very effective, the following home remedies may be able to reduce pain and discomfort. 

Oatmeal Or Baking Soda Baths

The best way to help reduce the pain and severity of shingles is to care for your skin safely as it heals. Soaking in an oatmeal or baking soda bath can soothe the skin if you have a shingles rash. These popular home remedies can help relieve itching, according to doctors. Look for colloidal (or ground) oatmeal or baking soda and add either of those ingredients to cool bath water. Both ingredients work to calm itching and are gentle on the skin. Grinding oat grain into a fine powder makes up colloidal oatmeal, which soothes the skin because it contains beneficial proteins, fats, minerals, and other nutrients. 

Cold Compresses

Applying a cool cloth or compress against the site of the rash may relieve itchiness and reduce inflammation. Lightly soak a natural cotton cloth or towel in cool water and wring it out before you put it on the sore area. Repeat this process as necessary. One thing to remember is that you do not want to expose the skin to extreme temperatures. Avoid the use of ice baths or very hot water. Hot water can increase blood flow and slow down the healing of sores, whereas ice increases skin sensitivity.

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter, topical, pink lotion that is commonly used to treat mild itchiness, pain, and discomfort. This is a very important note: do not apply calamine lotion to active blisters. The reason for this is because you do not want to cause infection. Only apply calamine lotion once the skin forms scabs over the blisters. That may help soothe the discomfort you feel and reduce the urge to itch your skin, according to dermatologists. 

Modify Your Diet

A healthy diet is integral for helping the body’s systems and organs function optimally. It is best to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains in your diet to vary your nutritional intake. People with shingles should aim to eat more orange, red, and green foods because they contain carotenoids. This group of antioxidants includes zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and provitamin A, all of which work to enhance immune function. Try to eat more carrots, squash, pumpkin, watermelon, red bell pepper, grapefruit, tomatoes, kale, parsley, spinach, melon, lettuce, and other leafy greens. 

Vaseline

Covering the rash with a thin layer of Vaseline and then a large cotton bandage protects the skin from clothing and other irritants. Speaking of clothing, stick to loose, cotton clothes, especially when you’re on the mend, as that material eases the discomfort. By protecting your rash with Vaseline and a cotton bandage, you help keep others safe. Shingles is very contagious only while rash blisters appear. When using Vaseline, try to use a plain, unscented variety to avoid irritation.

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Viruses exist everywhere, and they can cause health conditions like hepatitis, mononucleosis, HIV, the flu, and even the common cold. While many people commonly opt to get an annual flu shot (influenza vaccination), studies have shown that it is only 80% effective, due to the fact that this virus has mutating strains. Additionally, vaccines don’t properly educate your immune system and they can contain preservatives and chemicals. Wouldn’t it be better if you could use all natural herbs to fight off viruses without harming the body?

Facts About Viruses

A virus is a microscopic organism that can exist almost anywhere on the planet. Viruses can spread through sneezing, coughing, person-to-person contact, sexual contact, or by entering the body through food or water. More often than not, viruses infect plants, fungi, animals, humans, and bacteria. Some viruses are fatal, while others can make you feel ill for only a day or so. Consisting of genetic material, viruses cannot replicate without a host, which classifies them as parasites. Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet.

So What Do Antiviral Herbs Do?

When you consume foods that keep your immune system strong, you have a better chance of fighting off viruses. Antiviral herbs can help to inhibit the development of viruses because they boost the immune system, which helps the body attack viral pathogens. Antiviral herbs also contain anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, and healthy digestive properties.

#1: Echinacea

Echinacea is an amazing herb that is loaded with antimicrobial properties, which are great for the immune system. All varieties of the echinacea herb have phenol compounds. At a base level, phenols protect plants from UV radiation damage and infections. The active substances in phenols control enzymes and cell receptors, and their active antioxidants make them great for keeping human cells healthy.

#2: Astragalus Root

Astragalus root has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years, primarily for enhancing immune function. Several studies have shown that astragalus’ antiviral properties help to stimulate the immune system and inhibit the development of the common cold or flu.

#3: Ginger

If you keep up with our web content, you know that we love ginger. One of our favorite things about ginger is that it helps to cleanse the lymphatic system, also known as the body’s sewage system. It also helps to flush toxins from your organs. Did we mention that ginger prevents the body from accumulating toxins that can make you sick or susceptible to bacterial infections? Well, it does that too!

#4: Oil of Oregano

While fresh oregano is tasty, the health benefits come alive when it is distilled to extract the essential oil. Oil of oregano contains carvacrol and thymol, both of which have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Carvacrol is responsible for reversing viral infections, allergies, parasites, and reducing inflammation.

#5: Cat’s Claw

This herb has a lot of bark, not meow! Okay…that was terrible. People in South America have actually used the bark of cat’s claw as a natural remedy for fevers and digestive conditions, like dysentery, for centuries. Cat’s claw has powerful antiviral properties that can be used to help reduce one’s viral load, and early studies show that it may be beneficial for HIV patients, but more research needs to be conducted.

#6: Elderberry

Elderberry has been popularly used in many cultures for its ability to help fight viral infections, herpes, influenza, and bacterial infections. Almost all of the elderberry plant is usable. You can use the bark, leaves, roots, and flowers, which can be beneficial to brew into a tea when you have the flu. Make an elderberry syrup to boost immune function by clicking here.

#7: Olive Leaf

The antiviral properties of olive leaf have been known to fight back against the common cold and more serious viruses like meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea, and candida symptoms. Recent research has shown that the extract of olive leaf can fight against viruses that cause influenza or respiratory infections. Olive leaf extract’s compounds can also kill invading organisms, making it so viruses cannot replicate to spread infection.

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People who get cold sores a lot can usually tell when an outbreak is going to happen. The telltale signs begin with an itchy or burning sensation on the lip or mouth area. Before you know it, tiny blisters appear, most commonly occurring in the same place they appeared before.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about two-thirds of adults over the age of 50 have herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV-1, and about 50% of American children between the ages of 3-5 have already contracted HSV-1. The reason for the high percentage of children with HSV-1 is because the herpes virus can be passed orally, e.g. an infected adult kisses a child or uses the same cup as the child. An adult with HSV-1 can also wipe his or her mouth on a towel and a child, who uses that same towel, can become infected.

What Happens After You’re Infected?

Upon contracting the virus, the person will most likely experience recurring outbreaks. Even if the person rarely has an outbreak, it is still possible to transmit the virus to others because it can lay dormant in the body. An outbreak exponentially increases the risk of passing the virus to other people, and precautionary measures need to be taken to prevent this.

Home Remedies

Some home remedies will work for some, and they won’t work for others. It should be understood that most home remedies might provide relief from symptoms, but they will not necessarily reduce the duration of the outbreak. Cold sores typically last about one week or more and there are currently no known cures. Using ingredients that have powerful antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting properties are the most beneficial for providing relief from the pain and discomfort of cold sores.

Choose Vitamins C & E

Vitamin C works to boost the production of white blood cells, which the body uses to fight infections. Vitamin E, on the other hand, works to help grow new skin cells and repair damaged skin cells. Both of these nutrients can be found in many plant-based foods. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include kiwis, broccoli, spinach, peppers, berries, guavas, spinach, and citrus fruits. Vitamin E-rich foods include whole grains, nuts, and leafy greens.

Apply An Ice Pack

While it won’t make the cold sore go away, applying an ice pack works to reduce the pain or itchiness by numbing the area. The cold temperature helps to reduce inflammation in the area by restricting blood flow.

Avoid Spicy Foods

When you feel a cold sore developing or if you already have an outbreak, don’t go out and eat hot wings, curry, or any other spicy foods. Most spicy foods will irritate the area and can even worsen the pain.

Homemade Cold Sore Balm

Ingredients:

• 30 drops melaleuca oil
• 25 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops each peppermint, lemon, oregano, ginger, and sandalwood essential oils
• carrier oil (we recommend fractionated coconut oil)

Instructions:

• Add all of the essential oils to a dark glass roller bottle and fill the rest of it with the carrier oil. Cover and shake to combine the oils.
• Apply this oil blend three times a day on the outbreak.
• Make sure not to touch the bottle with the finger that was used to apply the oil on the sore.
• Do not apply to sores inside the mouth.

Herbal-Infused Cold Sore Remedy

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon each dried chamomile, nettle, sage, peppermint, licorice root, and Echinacea
• 2 tablespoons elderberries

Instructions:

• Bring one cup of water to a boil in a sauce pain.
• Place the herbs and elderberries in a small bowl and mix to combine. Add one tablespoon of this mixture to a large mug.
• Pour the boiling water into the cup and let it sit until the liquid cools. Pour the liquid through a strainer into a cup and drink the tea to help naturally boost the immune system.

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