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RESEARCH ON: NATURAL SUBSTANCES TO AID HEALING
AFTER SHINGLES EPISODE
The
following is a report based on research conducted using several different
sources. It is to be considered as informative and based on published
work. It is not intended as medical advice and should not take the place of
consultation with a medical professional. Herbs and vitamin supplements can
have profound effects on the body, so individual health situations must be
considered when choosing herbal medicines or supplements. If you have a
serious condition (i.e. diabetes) or are taking medications, please consult
a health professional about whether a certain herb or supplement might be
harmful for your condition. Although there has not been extensive research
conducted on the efficacy of herbal treatments in the US, there is
research available from other countries. In fact, in many countries herbal
treatments are used as the main form of medicine. Today’s pharmaceuticals
evolved out of herbal medicine and have only been available for a few
hundred years, whereas their herbal forefathers have been available for
thousands of years. This information is intended as an introduction and an
invitation to learn more about these herbs. Not all of the information
enclosed will be pertinent to your specific situation, so...take what you
need and leave the rest.
When Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster Virus) occurs (or reoccurs) in adulthood,
it is called “Shingles”.
(Herpes Zoster Virus). The virus and sores can be extremely painful and
debilitating because the virus literally travels along the pathway of a
nerve to reach the skin’s surface. In some unfortunate cases, the virus
can also adversely effect vision, hearing and breathing. When the sores
heal, a small segment of the population may have symptoms/pain that
continues (although the virus period has “passed”). This condition is
called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Neurontin or other pain-killers are
often prescribed. Natural alternatives would include:
Lemon Balm: Contains L-lysine which shortens the duration of herpes virus.
Chamomile: Nerve calming. Not advised for those with severe pollen or
ragweed allergies.
Valerian: Nerve tonic and mild sedative.
Skullcap: Anti-spasmodic (decreases spasms of pain,relaxes muscles that
would constrict in reaction to pain), nerve tonic (nurtures the nervous
system). Skull cap should be taken for a short term and is better as part
of a blend of herbs that nurture the nervous system.
Cayenne: Analgesic. Cayenne powder or peppers can be eaten in foods or
used in a topical ointment on the healed shingles sore themselves.
Capsaicin cream is recommended (topically) for residual pain from healed
shingles sores.
Passionflower: Pain-killer. Combined with valerian if pain is causing
sleepless nights.
Nurture the nervous system by avoiding: Caffeine*, sugar, alcohol. (These
will increase pain).
*If
you have to have some caffeine, switch to green tea
(anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant).
Supplements to nurture nervous system function:
Flaxseed oil (anti-inflammatory), B-Complex (helps the body deal with
physical stress), zinc (tissue healing), calcium with magnesium & Vit D
(tissue healing and muscle relaxing and nerve nurturing).
After any debilitating virus, it is important to look at restoring optimum
immune function (in other words, your immune system has just been through a
rough bout of shingles. Why not make it easy for your immune system to
handle the next cold or flu that you come in contact with?
Elderberry: Anti-viral. You can use a tincture or tea.
Lemon Balm: Anti-viral. Drinking this tea on a regular basis is a good
idea after virus exposure. In addition, lemon balm is the anti-viral herb
which is specifically recommended for herpes zoster.
Bee
Propolis: Showed good results in a recent study---Shortens duration of
herpes virus. Available in tincture form or capsules.
Garlic: Immune Booster. Eat lots of roasted garlic, garlic sauces & dips
and/or take a supplement.
Shiitake & Maitake Mushrooms: Immune Boosters
Astragalus: Immune restorative herb. Can be taken for a time period of 2
months to 2 years.Takes 2 months to become “active” in the body. Available
in tincture form to add to juice or tea.
The
suggestions above will give you some choices. It’s good to utilize several
of these ideas as part of your “recovery lifestyle”. For instance, you
might start drinking a chamomile/lemon balm tea on a regular basis and use
the elderberry tincture or bee propolis (as an addition--- 2-3 times daily)
during periods where you feel flu-ish. Adding these anti-virals will turn
your tea into more of a medicinal tonic. These herbal items are basically
food and can be taken in conjunction with other medications (there is no
evidence to indicate otherwise). Herbal tonics such as these can be used
every day for a period of a few days to a few weeks. When symptoms have
subsided, you can stop using the herbs. The exception (from the list above)
is astragalus which is meant to be taken for a longer term.
Simultaneously, you might increase the garlic foods and cayenne seasoned
foods you eat on a regular basis and take the flaxseed oil (Essential Fatty
Acids), Calcium/Magnesium/Vit D and B-Complex vitamins daily per the
directions on the bottle. These supplements can also be taken in
conjunction with other medications (unless your pharmacist or doctor advises
against).
If
you were having a “bad spell” with a lot of pain, or an evening where you
felt you couldn’t sleep, you could add the Passionflower/Valerian tincture
(possibly blended with Skullcap) to your regimen. (This is not advised while
taking prescriptions such as Neurontin or Percocet or Vicodin). Although
these are very mild pain-killing, sedative herbs you should consult your
physician or a clinical herbalist before adding them to your regimen. It
is also advisable to consult your physician about discontinuing any
prescriptions prior to doing so.
Acupuncture can actually treat many types of neuralgia very successfully.
This treatment can calm nerves and nerve endings very effectively and reduce
pain. With any long term, chronic pain issues acupuncture
should be considered as a good alternative to medication.
Remember that a “clean” and “simple” diet is always best during a
recuperation period. Avoid fatty and fried foods, sugary foods, processed
foods. These make the body work harder than it needs to. Instead, eat more
raw/steamed/lightly sautéed vegetables, whole grains (buckwheat, quinoa,
brown rice), beans, lean meat and fresh fruit. Less sauces/condiments.
More herbs/spices.
Good luck with your journey back to good health!
©2007 HERBAN AVENUES All right reserved. Reprinting or internet posting of
any portion of this article is prohibited without permission from the
author. For more information on herb and health related topics, visit
www.chooseherbs.com
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