Shingles

Overview

Shingles is a viral infection.  The varicella-zoster virus causes shingles.  This virus also causes chickenpox.  Shingles is also sometimes referred to as herpes zoster.  As many virus strains do, the varicella-zoster virus can, after it has run its course in the original illness, lie dormant in the ganglia of the nervous system for years.  During any period of general immune system weakness, this virus may reactivate as shingles.

Rumor has it that if you have had Shingles once you are likely to suffer a second bout.  Actual studies and well-documented statistics relevant to the reoccurrence of shingles in any one person are practically non-existent, as far as I can tell.  A 2011 study in Minnesota provides what little is known about recurring bouts of shingles.  This seven-year study indicated that roughly 6% of first time Shingles sufferers would experience Shingles a second time.  Follow-up interviews during the next five years, although not well-documented, indicated that recurrence occurred anywhere from 96 days to 10 years after the initial outbreak.

Shingles cases generally follow a fairly consistent pattern from outbreak to healing.  A bout of shingles, however, may take anywhere from two to six weeks to run its course.  The severity of nerve pain also varies from person to person.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in three people in the United States will experience shingles at some point in their lives.

Shingles and Senior Citizens

Shingles cases are particularly prevalent among older adults.  More than half of persons who suffer a bout of shingles will be 60 years of age or older.  Elderly persons also appear to experience more extensive rashes, more severe nerve pain, and wider spread open blisters than do younger persons.  In addition, senior citizens are more likely to experience some of the long-term complications discussed later in this article.  Older persons are certainly more likely to experience both pneumonia and brain inflammation as the result of having had shingles.

Shingles and Pregnancy

The good news is that shingles during pregnancy is extremely rare.

Nevertheless, if you are pregnant and have never had chickenpox, it is certainly advisable to avoid exposure to persons with either chickenpox or an active shingles infection. The midwife in me is, perhaps, a bit paranoid.  I would advise avoiding exposure to the live-virus vaccine, especially during the first trimester of the pregnancy.  In the early trimester of pregnancy, having either chickenpox or shingles can result, in rare cases, in birth defects.  This is because the infant’s nervous system is developing during this trimester.  The varicella-zoster virus certainly – and always – affects the ganglia of the nerves.

Fortunately, most of the effective alternative remedies for shingles are safe to use during pregnancy.  The baby’s nervous system develops during the first trimester of pregnancy.  As a general rule, nervine herbs feed, nourish, and strengthen nerves.  However, some of the herbs listed as nervines are, in reality, anodynes.  In other words, they are pain-killing as well as, or even rather than, nourishing.  The NS, NT, and NVC herbal formulas sold at Butterfly Express, LLC, are nourishing in nature even though they also relieve inflammation and pain in nerves.  The NV formula contains some stronger herbs and should be used sparingly and with caution – if used at all during pregnancy.

Shingles and Children

Shingles occur quite rarely in children and teens.  The comparatively healthy immune systems of younger persons are likely responsible for its rarity among younger people.  However, the rate of shingles among children and young adults is on the rise, just as it is with older persons.

The Rochester Medical Center’s Health Encyclopedia indicates that a child is more likely to suffer a bout of shingles if they had chickenpox before their first birthday.  Shingles in childhood also occur more frequently if the child’s mother had chickenpox during pregnancy with that child.

Statistical Rise in Frequency

I will be quoting Web MD and the CDC for the following statistics.  Over the last 60 years, there has been a steady rise in shingles cases in the United States.  From 1945 to 1949 less than 1 person in every 1000 people experienced shingles.  Between 2000 and 2007, that number rose to just over 3 people per thousand.  According to the CDC, that number now sits at 3 people per 100 persons – not 1,000 persons.  A full 3% of the population will experience shingles.

As noted, shingles hits the senior population particularly hard.  From 1992 to 2010, shingles rates in people over 65 rose by 39%.

Why the dramatic rise in shingles cases?  Researchers have several theories.

Theory #1:  Drop in Chickenpox Cases

The mid-1990s saw the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine.  Before this, nearly everyone got chickenpox.  Since then, the number of chickenpox cases has dropped by at least 80%.  This sounds like a good thing, right?  The lack of circulating chickenpox virus could actually be part of the problem when it comes to shingles.

Quoting WebMD:  In the 1960s, an English doctor and epidemiologist Edgar Hope-Simpson proposed the idea that being exposed to chickenpox helps boost the immune system response against the virus. In other words, when you’re around people with the virus, your immune system stays armed and ready to prevent it from reawakening in your body.

“If what Hope-Simpson said was correct, that opens the possibility that if you reduce exposures of kids to chickenpox, it might mean that kids are getting less of this exogenous [external] boosting. That might put them at greater risk for shingles, and at a younger age,” says Rafael Harpaz, MD, a CDC medical epidemiologist who has been studying the shingles virus for 15 years.

Theory #2:  The Chickenpox Vaccine

Again, quoting WebMD:  It’s also possible that the chickenpox vaccine itself might cause shingles, because it contains a live but weakened form of the virus.  But Harpaz says that risk is likely very small.

A 2013 study Harpaz co-wrote seemed to quash the link between the chickenpox vaccine and shingles. It revealed that shingles rates started to rise long before the vaccine came out. 

This issue, Harpaz says, is a very complicated one.

Theory #3:  Suppressed Immune Systems and Chronic Illness

The varicella-zoster virus reactivates most frequently when the immune system is at reduced vitality. The number of people suffering from immune system suppression due to cancer treatments or lack of care given to healthy lifestyles has certainly risen in recent years. However, Harpaz points out the cases of shingles has also increased among persons with healthy immunity.

Harpaz and his team of scientific researchers state that there was only a minimal rise in frequency among persons with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Theory #4:  Stress

There are multiple studies which indicate quite clearly that stress reduces immune response.  In spite of the opinion of Dr. Harpaz, I found multiple studies that link the onset of shingles to periods of high stress in people of all ages.  I believe, most definitely, that increased stress levels in my own life certainly played a part in my own bout with shingles.

Dr. Harpaz states that his team is no closer to understanding the rise in shingles than they were before their studies.  Other researchers seem to be having far better success.  They appear to be having better results from the research dollars being spent than Dr. Harpaz’s more well-known and more often quoted team.

Risk Factors

• Being 60 years old or older.
• A weakened immune system.  This seems to be true whether the deficiency is caused by poor dietary habits, stress, cancer and cancer treatments, or anything else.
• Taking drugs such as steroids or anti-rejection medications after an organ transplant.
• A period of unusually high amounts of stress.

Is Shingles Contagious?

The varicella-zoster virus that is responsible for shingles can be transmitted from person to person.  Transference from person to person requires exposure to active shingles blisters.  The person would not get shingles, however.  They could develop chickenpox – but only if they have not had chickenpox previously or have not, according to vaccine theory, been vaccinated against chickenpox.

If you have shingles without a rash – a rare thing, indeed – you shouldn’t be able to pass this virus on to others at all.  Nevertheless, please err on the side of caution.  Avoid contact with people, especially pregnant women, until your other symptoms have cleared up.

I was told all of my life that I did not ever have chickenpox as a child, not even when playing all over my father’s bed when he had it.  Perhaps, but I doubt it, my overly vigilant mother missed a bout of chickenpox that I had as a child.  I certainly did not get it as an adult when my children went through it.  The chickenpox and shingles vaccines are something I have also never participated in.  I don’t believe that I have ever exposed myself to the open sores of a person with shingles, either.

In spite of all that, I did get shingles recently.  I came through the entire process from beginning to end in just a few days with no lingering complications except a few muscle spasms and a few days of mild fatigue.  Could I possibly have contracted it from a person who had recently received the live-virus vaccine?  Who knows?  I do know, however, that alternative treatment worked very well.

Symptoms

Early Symptoms

The early symptoms of shingles listed below often appear several days before the more obvious symptom of the shingles rash appears.  This is what happened to me.  Unfortunately, I did not realize what was wrong with me.  I just thought that I was running faster than I had strength and not handling some serious additional stress in my life very well.  It should be noted, however, that not all people experience symptoms before the rash appears.

Early symptoms of shingles usually occur on only one part of the body.  This is often the abdominal area or the neck, head, and face. Once I realized I had shingles, I understood the cause of some rather severe neck muscle pain that I had been experiencing.  These spasms were in exactly the same area in which the shingles rash eventually erupted.  The muscle spasms continued for a little while after all other symptoms of shingles had passed.

Early symptoms may include:

• Feeling unusually tired and fatigued.
• General feelings of being unwell and not your usual self.
• Aching or spasming muscles, usually in the area in which the shingles rash will appear shortly.
• Numbness, tingling or itching.
• Unexplained, burning pain in a specific area or muscle group.
• Headaches.
• Nausea.
• Fever.  For many people, the fever does not appear until the rash erupts.

One to five days after the onset of the above symptoms, the characteristic shingles rash will appear.

• Usually appears on only one side of the body or head.
• Blister-like sores filled with a clear fluid.  Some of the blisters may become large enough to be called lesions.
• The blisters itch and burn.
• Eventually, these blisters will scab over, growing smaller before they begin to disappear.
• Subtle color changes may remain visible in the skin after the crusts have fallen off.
• Occasionally, the larger blisters will leave scars.

Most people continue to experience symptoms similar to those they felt before the rash appears, only more severe in nature.  These may include:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Severe headaches.
• Great fatigue.
• Muscle weakness.
• Muscle spasms.

Shingles Without a Rash

The early symptoms of shingles – before the rash appears – do not scream shingles to most people unless they have had shingles before.  It is not until the rash and the incredible nerve pain appear that most people, even many doctors, think of shingles as the most likely cause.  Shingles without the characteristic rash is not common.  It happens often enough to have its own name.  Zoster sine herpete is the name given to shingles without a rash.  Fortunately, it is not common.  But as you can imagine, it is difficult to diagnose.

It is a blessing that shingles without a rash is rare!  Like typical shingles, the symptoms usually occur on only one side of the body.  Symptoms commonly occur on the face and neck, and – and this is the scary part – in one eye.  Damage can also be occurring inside the body with internal organs.

Typical symptoms include:

• Sensitivity to touch in a particular area.
• Itchiness, especially in a certain area.
• A feeling of localized numbness.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• A general feeling of malaise and achiness.
• Pain that radiates outward from the spinal column.

Medical science does not understand why the presence of the varicella-zoster virus does not always produce the characteristic itchy shingles rash.

Diagnosing Shingles Without a Rash

I have said that shingles without a rash is uncommon.  Obviously, however, the above list of symptoms may simply not be diagnosed – and counted – as shingles.  It may take a blood, saliva, or cerebrospinal fluid test to positively identify the presence of the varicella-zoster virus.  Unfortunately, even these tests are often inconclusive.

More Serious Possible Complications

Fortunately, the complications listed below are relatively rare.  However, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant along the nerve ganglia.  When it reactivates, naturally, affects the nerves.  This can – and sometimes does – lead to serious pain and complications.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)

During a shingles outbreak, nerve fibers come under attack.  The result is inflammation.  These inflamed nerves send stress signals.  In other words, the person feels a great deal of nerve pain.  In as much as 20% of people who have had shingles, this pain continues long after the rash and other symptoms have passed.  The pain is constant in severe cases.  This type of pain can last for years.  In less severe cases, the pain may be off-and-on or be only increased sensitivity to touch along certain nerve pathways.

Eye Complications

As many as one-fourth of shingles cases affect the cranial nerves.  This is always a serious situation.  Immediate action to control the infection should always be undertaken if the nerve pain or rash is on the neck or head.

Infection by the shingles virus along the nerve pathways that affect the eyes can result in inflammation in or around the eye, damage to the muscles around the eye, and significant damage to the cornea of the eye itself.   Failure to get the virus under control and to support and nourish the nerves can result in permanent vision loss.

Ramsey Hunt Syndrome and Other Serious Ear Problems

Ramsey Hunt Syndrome is the name given to the various symptoms produced when the shingles virus activates along the cranial nerves that affect the ears.  This includes hearing loss.

Symptoms of Ramsey Hunt Syndrome:

• Severe pain in the affected ear.
• Pain in the muscles of the neck.
• Ringing noises in the ear – called tinnitus.
• Hearing loss.
• Trouble closing the eye on the affected side with accompanying dryness of the eye.  This dryness can lead to damage to the cornea – the surface of the eye.
• Vertigo – a feeling as if the room is spinning.
• Decreased sense of taste.
• Partial paralysis of facial muscles.
• Slight slurring of speech.

Most of the time, these symptoms are temporary.  However, if the virus is not brought under control quickly enough, a person may develop permanent weakness of some of the facial muscles and various degrees of permanent vision or hearing loss.

Brain or Spinal Cord Inflammation

A study conducted in 2014 indicated that, on occasion, shingles may result in more serious complications such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Encephalitis is medical terminology for inflammation of the brain.  Viral infections are the most common cause.  Encephalitis usually causes only mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, weakness, and aching in muscles and joints, according to Mayo Clinic website.   Sometimes, if things get out of hand, the symptoms and the damage becomes much more severe.

Symptoms of encephalitis may include:

• Confusion.
• Agitation.
• Hallucinations.
• Seizures.
• Muscle weakness and even paralysis.
• Problems with speech or hearing.

Immediate medical care is strongly advised if these symptoms exist.

Meningitis, simply put, is inflammation of the meninges – the membranes surrounding the brain.  Bacterial and viral infections are common causes.  Meningitis is a serious business.  The bacterial kind – which shingles is not – can kill within a matter of hours.  Meningitis brought on by a virus such as the varicella-zoster virus, usually takes a bit longer to develop and is less likely to become deadly.

Early symptoms of meningitis are:

• Fever.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Pale skin.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Neck stiffness.
• Dislike of bright lights.
• Confusion.

Pneumonia

It is possible, although extremely unlikely, for the varicella-zoster virus to create inflammation in the lungs.  This, of course, would be quite serious, especially in elderly people.

Hepatitis

The virus responsible for shingles may also attack the liver and or overload it with the carcasses of dying viral entities.  Hepatitis and liver failure have been seen in extreme cases.

Vasculopathy

A medical term for any disorder of the blood vessels.  With shingles, the predominant vein health danger is stroke.  This is particularly true of shingles without a rash because the virus goes undetected and untreated too often.   Recently, the spectrum of varicella-zoster virus vasculopathies was expanded to include inflammation of the large blood vessels of the scalp, neck, and head.  Such inflammation, of course, causes a narrowing or even blockage of the blood vessels.  This will, of course, interrupt blood flow.

Symptoms include:

• Headache.
• Scalp tenderness.
• Jaw pain.
• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Vision loss.
• Stroke, eventually, if not treated.

Possible Treatments (other than drugs)

Rest

Perhaps this seems obvious but too many of us – myself included – run faster and more furiously than we should.  Slowing down, even when we need to, is something we need to be reminded of.  With shingles most people are in enough pain and feel so poorly that rest, at first, is essential.  However, rest is also essential as one gets feeling a bit better.  Doing too much too soon is a recipe for future problems.

Diet

A weakened immune system makes a person more susceptible to reactivation of the shingles virus.  It also makes the progression of the illness much more intense and painful.  Most importantly, failure of the immune system to respond promptly and vigorously plays a part in shingles spreading to other body organs and becoming permanent nerve pain and damage.

A good diet – getting a full range of vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, good fats, nutritious B vitamin laden grains, and nuts, etc. – strengthens the immune system.   “Eat the rainbow” is good advice where fruits and vegetables are concerned.  This means to eat things that are green, yellow, orange, red, even purple.  Don’t get into a rut of eating the same things day after day.  Pay attention to proteins and fats.  Even carbohydrates, within reason and in as wholegrain a form as possible, are essential to a healthy body and mind.

The diet that will help a person recover from shingles is, of course, the same diet that we should all be living every day anyway!

Arginine

There are some who claim that arginine contributes to the reactivation of the virus.  Perhaps it does.  Perhaps it is only the man-made, purchased-in-pill-form, supplemental arginine that does this.  Arginine is essential to the human body.  In fact, our bodies make it from the foods we eat.  Arginine is found in many nutritious foods including many seeds and nuts.  I am not, personally, willing to believe that these healthy foods – rather than man-made, laboratory produced supplements – cause reactivation of this virus.  But, just in case, I have listed the foods that contain arginine here.

• Avocados.
• Dried apricots and mangoes.
• Beets.
• Tomatoes.
• Pears.
• Green and red peppers.
• Chocolate.
• Nuts.
• Potatoes.

Herbal Remedies

HP Tincture

One of the most important things that I did for myself during my own bout of shingles was Butterfly Express’s HP tincture.  Eradicating the herpes virus in whatever form is what this tincture is specifically designed to accomplish.  It has shown itself effective for that over the course of many years.  Add the tincture to a little bit of water to ingest it.  Take at least 12 drops at a time.  Take this remedy at least three times a day – more if you can tolerate it.

This formula contains many of the herbs recognized as effective against viral attacks such as shingles.  It also contains some herbs that calm and support the nervous system.

St. John’s Wort

This great herb is a tonic and strengthener of the nervous system – exactly what is needed with shingles.  In addition, St. John’s Wort appears to act against encapsulated viruses such as shingles, when lying dormant.  The viruses tested against included herpes viruses and HIV, as well as Hepatitis B and C.  In fifteen separate clinical trials patients given extracts of St. John’s Wort experienced far more relief from symptoms than those receiving a placebo.

There is, from time to time, concerns raised about St. John’s Wort reacting negatively to medications.  I can find no actual proof—or even reasonable anecdotal evidence—to support this idea.  St. John’s Wort has been highly valued since antiquity.

Echinacea

I am going to quote almost word for word from this section of my book  Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.  I explained Echinacea as well there, as I am ever likely to.  The explanation is a little bit long.  But then Echinacea is an herb with a great many amazing properties.

There are several types of Echinaceas.  Angustifolia and Purpurea are the most common.  Some sources claim that Angustafolia is the strongest, medicinally of these two plants.  Other sources claim that Purpurea is “arguably the most extensively studied of all species of Echinacea” and the strongest.   Traditional Native American Indian uses are cited for both of these plants.  The properties touted are very much the same one to another.

I live in Idaho in the heart of Shoshone, Bannock, and Blackfoot tribal country, and I have never come across the Angustafolia variety in my area although the Purpurea variety is plentiful.  Having been unable to make a clear distinction between the two species, I have opted to put equal amounts of each in the combinations that I have designed. Given a choice of only one or the other, I would have to go with Purpurea.  Since I believe that for the most part the herbs that grow in my own area, which survive or thrive on the same conditions that I do, will be the most potent and beneficial to me from day to day.

The Healing Power of Herbs

Michael T. Murray, in his book, The Healing Power of Herbs, does a marvelous treatise on the seven most important constituents of plants from the Echinacea group.  He includes in his research both Angustifolia and Purpurea along with others that I have never heard of.  I would highly recommend this chapter and the entire book.  It describes only a small group of herbs but this book is both thorough and scientific.

Immunostimulating Properties

Murray credits echinacea with a high concentration of compounds (polysaccharides) which have significant immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory properties. He quotes a study done by Gerhard Madaus in Germany in 1912 where it was demonstrated that the fresh juice of the aerial portion of Echinacea Purpurea had significant immune-enhancing properties.  The development of commercial products and a great deal of further research and study resulted from this very interesting study.

An explanation that I found fascinating about one phase of the immune system is quoted below:

“Echinacea exerts many “nonspecific” effects on the immune system.  For example, inulin, the major component in the root of Echinacea, activates a part of the immune system known as the alternate complement pathway.  As a result, white blood cells move more rapidly into areas of infection; immune complexes solubilize; and bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms die off rapidly.  Echinacea also increases the levels of properdin, a serum protein that stimulates the alternate complement pathway.”

Anti-viral – anti-just about everything

Echinacea, according to modern research, contains interferon-like properties.  Produced naturally in the body, interferon prevents viral infections and combats strep and staph bacteria.  Echinacea has been used for decades by alternative medicine practitioners in fighting the spread of infectious diseases. It is nice to finally have research to support this.  Echinacea is equivalent to Red Clover as a blood purifier.  Use Echinacea in the treatment of chemical toxin poisoning, candida, fungal infections, ulcers, and in clearing the lymph glands.

A Wonderful Source of Information

Murray gives echinacea credit for tissue regeneration abilities, anti-inflammatory properties, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-cancer properties. He goes into great detail about the immunostimulant properties, and gives connections between plant components and their action in the body with an explanation of their effects on white blood cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages.

Michael T. Murray discusses other aspects of the healing properties of Echinacea, giving understandable scientific explanations and quoting research where applicable and where he could find it.

This wonderful herb contains vitamins A, C, and E (this is somewhat unusual in herbs), calcium, iron, iodine (making it a great thyroid herb), potassium, and sulfur. Echinacea is also an excellent herb to use in the recovery stage of an illness, especially since we can no longer obtain that wonderful herb Ma Huang. This herb, because it fights infection while at the same time rebuilding tissues, is particularly useful in wound healing.

Echinacea was considered in some tribal traditions to be an antidote for snake bites.

Ginseng

This world-famous Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal tonic is probably the most widely used and certainly the most widely studied herb of all time.  Among Ginseng’s many amazing qualities is the results seen among the elderly and persons who are in depleted states from either unrelenting stress or from illness.  I regained my usual energy very quickly after my bout with shingles.  I give the Ginseng I was taking a great deal of credit for this.

Ashwagandha

This herb is sometimes called “Indian Ginseng” because it is used in Ayurvedic medicine in much the same way that Ginseng is used in Chinese medicine.  Like Ginseng, Ashwagandha improves vitality and energy after a serious illness.   In addition, Ashwagandha improves neuron impulses throughout the nervous system.  It also strengthens and rebuilds damaged nerve cells.

Research trials in 1960 indicated that this herb increases hemoglobin levels and improves thyroid and adrenal function. This makes sense since Ashwagandha contains iron. A unique feature of Ashwagandha is that research indicates that it helps prevent the depletion of Vitamin C when the body is under stress.

Ashwagandha contains an active ingredient called withanolides—a chemical that resembles human steroid hormones.  This makes this herb effective for pain relief.

Astragalus

This herb contains antioxidants which protect against cell damage.  Astragalus builds the immune system and is one of the best-researched immune system stimulants now available. It works like Echinacea, in that both herbs increase the number and activity of immune cells.

Milk Thistle

Silymarin, an entire group of compounds, is the active ingredient which provides many of the potent health benefits attributed to Milk Thistle. Besides preventing scarring, it inhibits the binding of toxins to liver tissue.  When the body is under attack by a virus, protecting the liver is absolutely crucial.  Silymarin is used to treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver diseases.

This is one of the great herbs for the treatment of chronic bowel issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.  Milk Thistle seeds are thought to be more effective than the leaves alone.  Silymarin is not water-soluble.  Prepare Milk Thistle in alcohol. This water-insolubility make the benefits of milk thistle as an herbal tea somewhat limited.

Red Clover

Red Clover is considered a mild adaptogenic and blood cleansing herb.  As such, Red Clover has action on the entire system through the gentle and gradual purifying of the blood.  Red Clover specifically strengthens the immune system.  This herb is generally found as an ingredient in anti-infectious formulas, rather than being used by itself as an infection fighter. Used in combination with Yarrow and Elderflower, Red Clover is very potent.  Butterfly Express carries a formula in which Red Clover is a key ingredient.  This formula, RC,  has long been my favorite infection-fighting formula.

Cayenne

Cayenne is as close to a cure-all herb as there is anywhere in nature.  If I could have only one herb in my house, Cayenne would be the one that I would choose.

Cayenne is an accentuator and will increase the healing properties of the other herbs. By adding a touch of Cayenne to a respiratory formula, for example, the respiratory herbs will reach the lungs and begin their healing action much more quickly. You might notice that many Butterfly Express herbal formulas contain Cayenne, in small percentages.

The following is quoted from Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, first published in 1919 (before so much herbal wisdom was lost to us):

Dr. Thomas, of London, who practiced a long time in the West Indies, found cayenne an almost certain remedy for yellow fever, and almost every other form of human malady. He said, “There is, perhaps, no other article which produces so powerful an impression on the animal frame that is so destitute of all injurious properties. It seems almost incapable of abuse. . . capsicum is a pure stimulant, ultimately reaching every organ in the body.”

Cayenne is high in zinc, which is essential to the hormonal glands. Cayenne is also high in vitamin A and vitamin C, rutin (which strengthens arteries and veins), iron, calcium, and potassium.

Lysine

During my own bout with shingles, my daughter suggested that I add Lysine powder to Miracle Salve and apply it to my rash.  The results were amazing.  The rash stopped itching.  I healed very quickly and very little scarring was left behind after the rash cleared.

I mentioned Arginine as, possibly, promoting the reactivation of the shingles virus.  Some studies suggest that Lysine blocks this particular activity of arginine.  If so, Lysine would be useful in preventing shingles.  Studies of the effectiveness of Lysine are not in agreement, as far as I can see.  However, we have used Lysine for cold sores, outbreaks of any type of virus, and the after-effects of severe sunburns that created canker sores with excellent results for years.   Besides using Lysine in Miracle Salve, I also took it by mouth.  As I said, I came through shingles very quickly and with no after-effects.  I believe that Lysine was very helpful in this.

Essential Oils

^LeSimplicity

^LeSimplicity, made from potent antiviral essential oils, targets HSV viruses.  This includes the varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles.  This kills the viruses at the areas of an outbreak, the rashes.  Then it follows the neural pathways that the virus has traveled until it reaches the dormant and reactivated colonies in the nerve bundles of the host.  There it goes to work to eradicate living, encapsulated, and reactivated virus colonies.

^LeDeliverance

^LeDeliverance is one of the “big guns” of the Butterfly Express line-up.  It fights viral and bacterial infections very well.  A particularly effective way to fight a very virulent illness is to apply ^LeDeliverance alternately with ^LeLifeForce. In the evening put one of these essential oils on the K1’s (acupressure points on the feet) and the other on the thymus. First thing in the morning, put the oils on again in the opposite positions. If ^LeDeliverance was on the thymus area the night before, it should go on the feet in the morning. This method is very effective against really nasty stuff.

^LeUnDone

^LeUnDone is a tremendous healer, especially where scar tissue has formed or is trying to form.  The oils in ^LeUnDone are considered to be cytophylactics, which regenerate and rebuild tissues. Our amazing bodies are continually replacing old cells with new. Unfortunately, when scar tissue has formed the new cells pattern themselves after the damaged cell structures.  ^LeUnDone encourages new cell growth patterned after the original cellular blueprint rather than replicating the damaged pattern.

Vetiver—a key ingredient in this blend—is physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically grounding but does not have, in my opinion, a pleasant aroma as a single. This blend, so well done synergistically, utilizes some very pleasingly aromatic and healing oils to emphasizes the wonderful properties of Vetiver.  ^LeUnDone achieves an astonishingly delightful aroma (a blending accomplishment I didn’t think could be done with Vetiver and we had done it!)

This blend is also a great anti-viral blend.

^LeDeeper

^LeDeeper contains penetrating, anti-inflammatory oils.  These essential oils aid in relieving pain that is deep in tissues and nerves.  Although the Butterfly Express line has many great analgesic oils and oil blends, ^LeDeeper is the one I most often reach for.  It has proven itself against the nerve damage and pain of shingles many times.

^LeIntensity

This blend contains, among more common essential oils, Camphor, and Capsicum. Capsicum has a profound effect on nerves, veins, and muscles.  Each of these essential oils are wonderfully healing and wonderfully pain relieving.  The “heat” of this blend reaches deep into the nerves and the muscles, bringing relief.  This new formulation – for which I was not responsible – is fast becoming one of my favorite Butterfly essential oil blends.

^LePaine

^LeDeeper, now followed closely by ^LeIntensity, is my favorite Butterfly blend for pain relief.  However, my husband and many other people, prefer the blend called ^LePaine.  ^LePaine, layered with ^LeWarmDown or ^LeTendaCare blends, is absolutely amazing.

^LeQuietEssence

The Valerian in this blend contains some volatile components not found in any other essential oil currently produced for aromatherapy. These components are useful for an incredibly long list of things related to nerves.  Combining, as is done in this blend, Lavender, Orange Sweet, and the amazing nervine, St. John’s Wort, creates a potent analgesic and nerve-calming blend.

^LeTendaCare

This blend is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and has some excellent nervine properties.  One of my favorite blends for any painful condition that has an element of nerve damage or nerve pain.

Melissa

One of the most powerfully antiviral essential oils.  The University of Munich reported a complete remission of herpes simplex lesions (cold sores and impetigo) from the use of Melissa essential oil.  I know from much experience that this delightful, aroma-wise, oil is tremendously strong and effective for many other things than shingles.

Melissa is beneficial to emotionally sensitive individuals who do not respond well to pressure or who are easily upset, almost traumatized, by the slightest confrontation.

Geranium

Geranium has a long-standing reputation for healing shingles sores.  This wonderful essential oil has the additional aspect of regenerating nerves when they have been damaged.  Geranium also discharges toxins and debris from the liver.

Ravensara

Ravensara is strongly antiviral.  It really gets in and kills “critters.”  It then supports the kidneys and lymphatic system in getting rid of the “dead bodies” of the invaders.  This stimulating oil has an affinity for the lungs and is useful in chronic respiratory conditions.  Ravensara is often used to bring relief from shingles. Like many essential oils, Ravensara kills the attacking viruses and brings relief from the pain.

Tamanu Carrier Oil

Tamanu is a wonderfully effective carrier oil because it has cytophylactic properties of its own.  This means that Tamanu promotes the formation of new cell growth and the elimination of dead cells.  This, of course, accelerates healing.

Tamanu possesses anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antimicrobial properties.  Tamanu should be considered as the carrier oil of choice when working with eczema or psoriasis, burns, acne, dry or scaly skin, diaper rash, diabetic ulcers and in relieving pain from sciatica, shingles, and arthritis.

This carrier oil is thick and dark in color, however, when applied to the skin it is readily absorbed.  It leaves no oily residue at all.

Calendula Carrier Oil

The Calendula plant is well-known for healing skin rashes of all kinds.  Even difficult to heal skin conditions usually respond quickly to Calendula.  Using the appropriate essential oil, coupled with the healing properties of Calendula infused oil as a carrier, provide a “double whammy” of healing.

Homeopathy

When the body is under attack by hostile disease agents it reacts in one of two ways. The first is to fight back ferociously and eradicate the disease in its entirety.  This results in a complete cure and subsequent immunity to the disease and anything similar to it.

The other reaction is to attempt to seal up the disease by encapsulating it in some way.   This is often the case with viral attacks, particularly when the vital force is not sufficiently strong to fight the disease off altogether at this time.  Encapsulating also occurs when a previous issue has been suppressed, rather than cured, by allopathic treatments— in other words, drugs.  The disease is known to be present, but is considered to be dormant.  It may, of course, resurface at a later date and continue its attack upon the person, especially if the overall system becomes weakened by disease, allopathic drug use, stress, or the normal processes of aging.

The homeopathic treatment stimulates the vital force to throw off the disease altogether. Homeopathic treatment may even bring online other suppressed or encapsulated diseases to be handled.  This is often experienced with old, encapsulated maladies.  Some examples would be cold sores, herpetic lesions, shingles, asthmas, etc.  (The list is quite endless, actually.) It is quite common, when a homeopathic treatment has been used, to find that other suppressed diseases have been cleared at the same time.

Always remember, homeopathy stimulates the vital force to cure the disease and strengthen the entire system; it does not merely hide or cover over the disease.

Choosing the Right Remedy

A homeopathic remedy is, of course, chosen because the remedy’s symptom “picture” matches the symptoms the person is showing both at the time and as a basic part of his personal nature.  For this reason, some of the keynotes – the most prominent symptoms – of a few possible shingles remedies are listed below.

Mercurius vivus or solublis

• Remember this remedy by thinking “human thermometers” – sensitive to and made worse by both heat and cold.
• An inherited weakness in energy and vitality.  There are over 60 factors listed that aggravate whatever they are suffering from.  Only 8 things that work to improve health.
• Worse from such things as heat, cold, cloudy days, damp weather, drafts, wet feet, touching anything that is cold, rainy weather, the glare of lights.
• Intense emotions erupting impulsively as screaming, poking, tickling, jabbing, or even injuring oneself.
• Constantly changing their minds.
• Restlessness, constantly need to move about, even when feeling really poorly.
• Poor self-confidence; loss of will power.
• Weak memory, forgetful.
• Itching, worse from the warmth of covers.
• Skin, especially rashes and sores, feel constantly moist.

Mercurius is the #1 polycrest – most commonly needed remedy for use with shingles.

Rhus toxicodendron

• Chronic, repetitive bouts of shingles respond to this remedy.
• Neuralgic pains that continue long after the shingles rash has cleared – Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
• This is a polychrest for painful afflictions of the nerves.
• Shooting pains common to nerve damage and inflammation.  Areas of the body feel as if they are being torn apart.
• Mind feels cloudy.  Great apprehension at night – so intense that it is impossible to remain in bed.
• Blisters concentrate around the mouth and chin.  Blisters and weeping rashes.  Specifically mentions shingles.
• Particularly indicated if the shingles bout begins to affect an eye.
• Usually better from heat.

Ranuncluus bulbosus

• Herpetic eruptions with great itching.  Skin burns and itches.  Touching makes it much worse. Specifically mentions shingles.  Specific to the crusting over stage of shingles.
• Pains in the stomach. Nausea in the afternoon and evening, sometimes with headaches.
• Burning with intense itching.
• Mental and emotional symptoms include anger alternating with discontent at present circumstances.
• Herpetic eruptions with great itching.
• Worse from having to move.

Arsenicum album

• Skin symptoms such as the shingles rash that alternate with lung and breathing issues.
• Skin eruptions tend to be dry, rough, scaly, and worse from cold.
• Shingles rash predominantly around the ears.
• Neuralgic pains, especially in the legs and arms.
• Burning keynotes this remedy in both skin and nerve symptoms.
• Cannot tolerate drinking ice cold water.
• Issues that affect the nerves in any way.
• The total prostration of Arsenicum is remarkable.  One of the most notable remedies for extreme fatigue.   The slightest movement brings on exhaustion.  The recovery of natural vitality after a bout of shingles takes a great deal of time.
• Night brings a worsening of symptoms.
• Also worse for cold and damp.

Iris versicolor

• Herpes zoster.  Shingles (herpes zoster) with gastric and digestive issues.
• Great itching that gets much worse at night.
• Painful headaches associated with shingles.
• Neuralgic pains in the head usually begin over one eye.
• Pustular and shingles eruptions on the scalp.
• Shooting, tearing pains along the joints.

Mezereum

• Neuralgic pains that continue long after the shingles rash is gone.
• Herpes zoster – shingles – with intense burning pains.
• Oozing eruptions that form scabs with pus still underneath.  Very much the description of a shingles rash.
• Oozing eruptions behind the ears.  With shingles, this can lead to Ramsey Hunt Syndrome.
• Intolerable itching.  Worse from warm baths or the warmth of bed covers.
• Vanishing of thoughts in the middle of speaking.
• Irritable and angry at small, trifling things.
• Worse at night.

Natrum Muriaticum

• Chronic, repetitive bouts of shingles respond to this remedy.
• Coldness all over the body.
• Vertigo.
• Fever blisters, cold sores, herpetic eruptions.
• Vesicles with watery contents.
• Blisters starting up in spots with great burning.
• Emotional keynotes include grief and dwelling on depressing past events.

Other Suggestions

• Keep your rash covered.  Shingles is only contagious to someone who comes into contact with the open sores.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially if you have a tendency to touch the rash.  This will help keep your shingles bout from spreading throughout the family.
• Avoid contact with people who haven’t had chickenpox or have weakened immune systems.  This includes those undergoing conventional treatment for cancer.  They will not catch shingles.  But, if they have not had chickenpox during their lives, they may catch it from you.

Vaccines

I am not going to indulge in a diatribe, either for or against the shingles vaccine.  I will confine myself to making you aware of a few things about them.

There are two types of vaccines available.  Zostavax, which is a live vaccine given as a single injection, is one available choice.  Shingrix is the second choice.  Shingrix, according to the Mayo Clinic site, is a nonliving vaccine made of a component of the virus.  It is administered in two doses.  It is recommended that these two doses be given two to six months apart.  The FDA approved Zostavax in 2006.  Shingrix was approved in 2017.  Both vaccines are approved for adults 50 years and older.  Why the age restriction is not something that I understand at this time.

The Mayo Clinic suggests considering the Shingrix vaccine even if you have had the Zostavax vaccine.  They also recommend getting it whether or not you have ever had chickenpox and even if you have already had shingles.

Possible Vaccine Reactions

• Redness, pain, tenderness, with swelling and itching at the injection site.
• Headaches.
• Muscle pain.
• Fever.
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea.
• Some people develop a chickenpox-like rash after getting the shingles vaccine.  If a rash develops, it should be kept covered.  It can spread contagion.

More Serious Potential Side-effects

In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the shingles vaccine occurs.  Considering the first item on the list of reasons (according to the Mayo Clinic site), I would be a very likely candidate for a serious reaction.  My bout with shingles was minor; my bout with the vaccine would probably not be!

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis Include:

• Swelling of the face.  This swelling often includes the mouth, eyes, and throat.
• If the throat becomes involved swelling of the throat may become severe enough to limit, or block entirely, the airways necessary for breathing.  Wheezing is an early – not very much earlier, usually – sign of airway compromise.
• Skin rashes, itching, and hives.
• Dizziness, vertigo, and fainting.
• Stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Low blood pressure.
• Rapid but weak pulse.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Emotionally, anaphylaxis brings on a feeling that something awful is about to happen.  This is your body screaming for help.  Please react promptly.

If you have any of these symptoms, I strongly suggest that you seek medical help immediately.  Anaphylaxis can become life-threatening very quickly.  It can also proceed more slowly.  If left untreated, however, anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour.  Antihistamines work too slowly to help with a severe anaphylactic reaction.

Avoid Vaccination if:

• You have ever had an allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin (like me), or any component of the shingles vaccine.  The trouble with this piece of advice about “any component of the shingles vaccine” is that I cannot find a list of the ingredients in either shingles vaccine.
• You have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or any other disease that indicates a weakened immune system. I would think twice if I had a chronic illness or was prone to catching every little thing that passes through the neighborhood.
• Are taking immune system-suppressing drugs such as steroids (this is, once again, from the Mayo Clinic site).  Other drugs mentioned include adalimumab (Humara), infliximab (Remicade), and etanercept (Enbrel).
• Are undergoing, or have undergone recently radiation or chemotherapy.
• Have cancer that affects the bone marrow or lymphatic system.  Such cancers include, among others, leukemia and lymphoma.
• Have active or untreated tuberculosis.
• Do not get either vaccine if you have had an organ transplant.
• Have shingles currently.  This advice seems to apply only to Zostavax.
• Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or might possibly become pregnant.  No studies included pregnant women.  (Thankfully!)
• Please do not get the vaccine if you are nursing.
• Have a negative test result for the varicella-zoster virus.  This means that you have never had chickenpox and cannot get shingles!  

Surviving Shingles

It seems like I hear of another person suffering from shingles nearly every time I go out and about among people!  Shingles is a nasty thing to be called upon to endure.  The fatigue following shingles is not much fun either!  The alternative remedies suggested – and provided – to me during my own bout with shingles brought me a great deal of relief.  As always, through alternative remedies I found relief.  I believe that you will too – should you or anyone you know ever be so unfortunate as to need them.  My bout with Shingles was so quick and, relatively speaking, so easy using alternative remedies that I would never consider either vaccine.  Of course, I have also had severe reactions to the specified antibiotic family used, so I am counted as high risk for the vaccine, anyway.

If you have enjoyed this blog you may enjoy my blog on Chronic Fatigue.