Herbal Remedies - update on shingles

February 1, 2004

Hette,

there were several answers given to your post... one of which was cayenne...both internal and as a salve.... Have you tried cayenne? I don't remember how your diet is or if you have ever done a cleanse .... both may need to be looked into also.

Suzihettenna <hettenna wrote:

I had posted last week about my outbreak of shingles and was unable to access any good info on the forum. Someone mentioned that Valtrex was for genital herpes and another person mentioned that using such meds was "suppression". Actually shingles is herpes zoster and Valtrex is used for that as well as genital herpes. While it may be suppression to use such meds it is important to stop the progression especially when it can involve the optic nerve and cause blindness. I had shingles once before, on my leg, and treated it holistically and found acupuncture to be very helpful but when it is on your face and on a nerve line to the eye its a medical emergency. Anyway, thank God I found some information from a medical master herbalist locally who had knowledge about shingles and started using the appropriate herbs esp St.Johns Wort oil

topically, hope to prevent scarring. Also used internally along with Olive Leaf Extract/Lysine/B/C etc. What was most helpful was using a cool compress of herbal teas during the breakout period. What I wanted to mention was that prior to outbreak I had been taking my Total Tonic, twice a day. I am very disappointed that it did not prevent it happening, had been taking it for a month.

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February 6, 2004

Cayenne can not be used on the face especially near the eyes altho

internal is ok. I did appreciate the efforts of those who responded

but needed the expertise of a master herbalist. Yes a cleanse might

be necessary, diet consists of juicing veggies, eating mostly raw,

lots of fresh organic fruit and veggies and vegetarian diet. I am

usually healthy. Was just curious about the TT not having any

effect. The St.John's oil externally was wonderful and the cooled

calendula tea was a great compress. Also on a regime of herbs for

internal use. Thanks for input.

> there were several answers given to your post... one of which was

cayenne...both internal and as a salve.... Have you tried

cayenne? I don't remember how your diet is or if you have ever

done a cleanse .... both may need to be looked into also.

> Suzi

February 6, 2004

Dear Hettenna,

I am sorry you didn't get the expertise of a master herbalist... However, cayenne has been used on the face and it has been used in conjunction with other herbs with the eyes. Yes it does sting or burn... so does DMSO and it is used in some eye treatments.

I've seen cayenne work on shingles.. there are other things which I will list below... but since I'm not a "Master Herbalist" I don't know whether you will want to try them.

The reason for total tonic was because of the cayenne and garlic..and to help your system. how much did you take? and how do you know it did not help you?

Capsaicin has received tremendous attention as a topical analgesic for relieving the pain that often accompanies herpes zoster (shingles) outbreaks and other skin ailments. Capsaicin has even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication and is commonly recommended by doctors under the trade name ZostrixÆ for this purpose, as well as for controlling pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies show that capsaicin may block the feeling of pain by depleting and then blocking the production of "substance P," which is thought to be the main chemical messenger of pain from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. It may also be involved with the release of inflammatory

substances in affected joints of arthritis.

Capsaicin should not be applied topically until the lesions caused by shingles have completely healed, however, or extreme burning pain can result.

The following I have not tried personally, for shingles.

Another possibility is Goldenseal. Goldenseal has powerful antibiotic properties and reduces infection. Also a combination of St. John’s wort, oat straw, and skullcap helps to reduce stress and itching. Mix equal amounts of the tinctures together and take 1 teaspoon four times daily. Valerian root calms the nervous system. Taken at bedtime, it acts as a sleep aid. Or try using essential oils. Bergamot oil, calophyllum oil (related to St. John’s Wort), eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, goldenseal oil, and lemon oil can be used singly or in combination. The best way to use them is to add a few drops of oil to a tablespoon of a carrier oil such as peanut or olive oil, and apply the

mixture directly to the lesions at the first sign of an outbreak. In most instances, the lesions dry up and disappear completely within three to five days after this treatment. This treatment can also be used for herpes simplex.

Below are a list of things that may cause shingles to appear... which may get to the "cause" of why you got them.

Emotional or physical stress, such as an illness or injury, may weaken your immune system and trigger the reactivation of the virus, causing shingles.4

Many factors can weaken your immune system, including:1

Aging. Being older than 50 puts you at higher risk for developing shingles.

Surgery.

Drugs or certain medications that slow down or suppress your immune system.

Radiation therapy used to treat cancer.

Illness or disease, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases (for example, lupus).

Poor nutrition.

Emotional stress.

A physical injury.

Recently receiving or donating an organ.

Suzihettenna <hettenna wrote:

Cayenne can not be used on the face especially near the eyes altho internal is ok. I did appreciate the efforts of those who responded but needed the expertise of a master herbalist.

Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online

February 6, 2004

Hettenna, you should start taking astragalus on a regular basis. Usually shingles are caused by stress related immune suppression. My dad died a few years ago and 9 months later my mom had a huge eruption of shingles lesions. The astragalus can help keep your immune system in good condition all the time.

Janet

-

Suzanne

herbal remedies

Cc: Doc

Thursday, February 05, 2004 7:27 PM

Re: Herbal Remedies - update on shingles

Dear Hettenna,

I am sorry you didn't get the expertise of a master herbalist... However, cayenne has been used on the face and it has been used in conjunction with other herbs with the eyes. Yes it does sting or burn... so does DMSO and it is used in some eye treatments.

I've seen cayenne work on shingles.. there are other things which I will list below... but since I'm not a "Master Herbalist" I don't know whether you will want to try them.

The reason for total tonic was because of the cayenne and garlic..and to help your system. how much did you take? and how do you know it did not help you?

Capsaicin has received tremendous attention as a topical analgesic for relieving the pain that often accompanies herpes zoster (shingles) outbreaks and other skin ailments. Capsaicin has even been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medication and is commonly recommended by doctors under the trade name ZostrixÆ for this purpose, as well as for controlling pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies show that capsaicin may block the feeling of pain by depleting and then blocking the production of "substance P," which is thought to be the main chemical messenger of pain from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. It may also be involved with the release of inflammatory substances in affected joints of arthritis.

Capsaicin should not be applied topically until the lesions caused by shingles have completely healed, however, or extreme burning pain can result.

The following I have not tried personally, for shingles.

Another possibility is Goldenseal. Goldenseal has powerful antibiotic properties and reduces infection. Also a combination of St. John’s wort, oat straw, and skullcap helps to reduce stress and itching. Mix equal amounts of the tinctures together and take 1 teaspoon four times daily. Valerian root calms the nervous system. Taken at bedtime, it acts as a sleep aid. Or try using essential oils. Bergamot oil, calophyllum oil (related to St. John’s Wort), eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, goldenseal oil, and lemon oil can be used singly or in combination. The best way to use them is to add a few drops of oil to a tablespoon of a carrier oil such as peanut or olive oil, and apply the mixture directly to the lesions at the first sign of an outbreak. In most instances, the lesions dry up and disappear completely within three to five days after this treatment. This treatment can also be used for herpes simplex.

Below are a list of things that may cause shingles to appear... which may get to the "cause" of why you got them.

Emotional or physical stress, such as an illness or injury, may weaken your immune system and trigger the reactivation of the virus, causing shingles.4

Many factors can weaken your immune system, including:1

Aging. Being older than 50 puts you at higher risk for developing shingles.

Surgery.

Drugs or certain medications that slow down or suppress your immune system.

Radiation therapy used to treat cancer.

Illness or disease, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases (for example, lupus).

Poor nutrition.

Emotional stress.

A physical injury.

Recently receiving or donating an organ.

Suzihettenna <hettenna wrote:

Cayenne can not be used on the face especially near the eyes altho internal is ok. I did appreciate the efforts of those who responded but needed the expertise of a master herbalist.

Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

February 6, 2004

No problem ... sometimes I guess we read things differently than they are meant..

If your skin is dry... have you tried total nutrition...actually Dragon Snot with UDO oil.. UDO oil is very good for the skin..Suzihettenna <hettenna wrote:

Sorry did not mean to infer that you should be a MH. My comment was meant to convey that a master herbalist was of help to me, probably because of her medical experience with things like this and asking my questions here was expecting too much of everyone, I searched and searched the archives to no avail but may have been too sick to do a good job. Yes I know what you mean about the cayenne and its uses but unfortunately could not put it on the blisters or near eye because facial skin is so fragile and particularly during outbreak I did use it on my leg when I had shingles 6y ago so you are right, it would normally be of help. I was taking the TT for a month, a tsp twice a day.Was surprised it did not prevent it but that was all I meant, just asking these questions please don't take things as personal,I have been very sick so excuse

me for not thinking straight, I needed help asap to cope. Thank God am on the mend now and perhaps my horrible experience will be of some help to others in the future altho wouldn't wish this on anyone :)Thanks again for your input, its appreciated.hetteherbal remedies , Suzanne wrote:> I am sorry you didn't get the expertise of a master herbalist... However, cayenne has been used on the face and it has been used in conjunction with other herbs with the eyes. Yes it does sting or burn... so does DMSO and it is used in some eye treatments.> I've seen cayenne work on shingles.. there are other things which I will list below... but since I'm not a "Master Herbalist" I don't know whether you will want to try them. Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your

physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington