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Treat Shingles Using Lavender Oil

Edited by Deepthi Gottumukkala, Eng, Lynn, Graeme and 14 others

7 Parts:

Symptoms of Shingles:

Lavender Oil for Shingles:

Properties of Lavender Oil:

Treatment for Shingles:

Tips and Warnings

Questions and Answers

Comments

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, (the Herpes varicella-zoster virus) and like chickenpox, it's a very vexatious illness. According to doctors, one can get shingles even though he or she might have suffered from it previously. Shingles most often occur in people between the ages of 4 and 50 years. Once infected, it lasts from two to four weeks.

Shingles, a viral infection, forms a rash on the infected part of the body. This rash can appear anywhere on the body, but only on either the left or right side. The infected person can sense pain in that area. Slowly, this rash, comprised of red spots, turns into blisters. The pain affects the nerves, and can become agonizing and excruciating. After the blisters have filled with fluid, they will form a thin crust. Eventually, they scab over and the area finally clears up after few weeks, but scars may remain.

Contents

1 Symptoms of Shingles:
2 Lavender Oil for Shingles:
3 Properties of Lavender Oil:
4 Treatment for Shingles:
5 Tips and Warnings
6 Questions and Answers
7 Comments

Symptoms of Shingles:

1
Stomachache, headache, and diarrhea are early onset symptoms
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2
Pain with burning or itching sensation in the area around infected area
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3
Throughout the illness, dizziness and weakness may occur
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4
There is extreme sensitivity of infected area, even after lesions have healed
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5
Sensitivity to sun or light also may occur
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Lavender Oil for Shingles:

Lavender oil is one of the most used and popular essential oils. It can be one of the most effective treatments to ease pain during shingles. Treatments will include painkillers and doctor's prescriptions, but lavender is the most natural way to soothe shingles.

Properties of Lavender Oil:

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Analgesic
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Lavender oil contains Esters which when inhaled, provide messages of pain blocking to the sensory systems in our brain. A study monitoring children following a tonsillectomy discovered that there was less need of acetaminophen when combined with lavender to treat post-surgical pain.

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Antibiotic

During the First World War antibiotics were in short supply on battlefields and lavender was used to dress wounds and kill staph bacteria common with these types of wounds. When combined with Geranium oil, it can treat ear infections naturally and is safe enough to use on children. Lavender has also been shown to treat antibiotic-resistant Staph infections that pharmaceutical grade antibiotics fail to kill.

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Antidepressant

A study by Silexan, WS®1265 proved that when lavender is taken orally, it's effective as a low-dose of benzodiazepines as it uplifts moods. Lavender is used in aromatherapy for this very reason. The anti-anxiety properties of lavender are safe for children, making this a fantastic alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for treating anxiety in children as well as keeping toddler tantrums under control.

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Anti-inflammatory

In 2014, scientists discovered that Asthma can be controlled with lavender because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties versus conventional pharmaceutical treatments prescribed for asthma. The camphor in the lavender "cools" down the inflammation in the bronchial tubes.

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Antiseptic

The tannins in lavender oil give it astringent properties beneficial when applied to wounds. Cineol, limonene, confer, and geraniol are found in lavender. All work to kill germs.

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Diuretic

When used as a massage oil, lavender releases more toxins from the skin as a mild diuretic. Taken orally if can stimulate the liver, kidneys, and bladder without the harsh side effects of other diuretics.

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Against Streptococcus

Streptococcus, part of the Phylum Firmicutes family and the order Lactobacillales (lactic acid bacteria), is a gram-positive bacteria a genus of spherical coccus. It is the culprit of mild illnesses such as Orimpetigo and Strep Throat, and more serious illnesses such as necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome (STSS).

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Disinfectant

It is as powerful as bleach at killing germs but has a pleasant smell making it a fantastic green cleaning product. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and add a few drops of lavender essential oil, and you can keep surfaces sanitized.

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Sedative

Lavender oil contains Linalool, a proven sedative. In a recent study on aromatherapy, people placed in a room for 30 minutes with infused lavender oil, experienced a significant reduction in issues associated with insomnia. When used orally to calm anxiety and then as aromatherapy before bed you can have a better chance of falling asleep without counting sheep. Since the Middle Ages, people have known this, and lavender flowers were sewn into tiny pillows to alleviate problems with insomnia.

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Treatment for Shingles:

1
Once you detect the symptoms of shingles, apply lavender oil on the spinal column and on the area where rash begins to appear
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2
Apply on forehead and neck, to ease the headache and nausea
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This will also reduce the severity of the Shingles.
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3
Apply twice a day.
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4
Use 10-15 drops of lavender along with tea tree, lemon, roman chamomile, bergamot or ravensara oils
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For better results, blend all these together and then apply.

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5
Use 20-30 drops of lavender in your bath to ease shingles pain.
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6
The use of carrier oils
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A carrier oil is used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin. This is especially necessary when making a massage oil from lavender oil. They work to 'carry' the essential oils into the skin. Examples of carrier oils are; grape seed oil, olive oil, avocado oil and almond oil.

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Tips and Warnings

1
If you are uncomfortable with using the oil directly on your skin, add a few drops to your body lotion, or carrier oil (see above) and apply.
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2
Along with lavender oil, you can also mix equal amounts of melaleuca and eucalyptus and then apply on the infected area for better results.
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3
Instead of applying directly to the affected area, spray if to make the process less painful.
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4
Do not use lavender during the first three months of pregnancy
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5
People with sensitive skin should test the oil on normal skin before applying it on the infected area.
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6
Get plenty of rest.

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Questions and Answers

Can I use lavender oil on shingles effectively?

Yes, lavender oil is considered to be a very effective therapeutic remedy for Shingles, especially dealing with the pain that accompanies Shingles. This debilitating illness is also known as "herpes zoster". Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and targets the trigeminal nerve. Shingles usually appear on the torso and back area, but may also appear on other parts of the body such as the face and both upper and lower extremities.

The outbreak and eruptions of rashes are very painful. In fact, after the rashes or scabs have gone away, neuralgia or nerve pain remains; lingering and persisting for weeks, months, or even years. It's not necessary to be on conventional pain medications to alleviate the excruciating pain associated with shingles when something as gentle as lavender oil works. Malaise, fever, abdominal upset, chills, and fatigue can be experienced as well as the itchy rashes and nerve pain.

Using essential high-grade and pure lavender oil is an effective remedy to soothe and reduce pain in people suffering from Shingles. Lavender oil is known to have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties which help alleviate pain, swelling, and itchiness on the affected site. This can be applied directly to the skin or can be combined with other essential oils such as tea tree oil, bergamot, peppermint, rosemary, chamomile, lemon, and eucalyptus oil for added efficacy. You can also use a 'carrier' oil.

Lavender oil also provides a relaxing or "calming effect" which helps soothe the nerves for effective pain management. You can use it in your bath along with other essential oils, or dab it on the affected areas. For massage therapy, you can also apply it to the soles of the feet, the base of the spine, forehead. It can be used as a warm compress on the affected site, and for aromatherapy purposes. The use of lavender oil has helped speed up the healing and recovery process of Shingles by providing relief for pain, itch, and inflammation, while at the same time, calming the nerves.

Is lavender used for herpes virus?

Can lavender also be used on herpes blisters?

Lavender is a very good calming solution but if you have some serious conditions as herpes virus, it is best to ask for medications from your doctor. Herpes virus can be harmful to the body when left untreated for a long time, and is contagious, so it's best to treat with something stronger, prescribed by a doctor, and not a good idea to rely on lavender for treatment.

I've had an outbreak of shingles since the middle of August. I took all prescriptions my doctor gave me.

Have had shingles pain since the middle of August. Scars are healing but still visible. Now I have uncomfortable pain in lower left ribcage like I was punched. Any ideas how to handle this and how long it might last? Does acupuncture help?