Natural Support Strategies for Shingles

Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus can remain dormant in your nerve cells and reactivate itself causing shingles. One possible reason it reactivates is due to a weakened immune system. The blisters that characterize shingles can show up anywhere, but most often they wrap around your torso. The burning and pain is most intense the first 5 days, but can last for 2 to 5 weeks. Keeping your immunity strong is the best approach to avoiding shingles. But if you get shingles, the good news is that you can support your health and ease your symptoms with a variety of natural strategies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may help reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of shingles. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many types of fruits and vegetables. It acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of inflammation and disease. The foods that are rich in vitamin C include kiwi, bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, papayas, pineapple and grapefruit. It is often recommended to increase your intake of vitamin C when you have a cold or virus. Your body utilizes vitamin C throughout the day. So taking a vitamin C supplement several times a day may supply your body with the vitamin C it needs to recover more quickly.

Vitamin D

More and more research shows just how important it is for your overall health to get enough sun exposure. And one of the biggest reasons is that your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sun. This is important because vitamin D benefits the body in so many ways. It is important for your bones and skeletal structure, immune function, blood pressure, mood, brain function and your body’s overall ability to protect against a range of illnesses. If you are not getting sun on your skin consistently, then you may want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.

Zinc

A zinc deficiency may also make your experience with shingles worse. Zinc helps the body in a number of ways including hormone production, proper growth and repair, improved immunity and promoting normal digestion. It is a type of metal and is considered an essential trace element because your body can’t make its own. Foods that contain zinc include oysters, red meat, and seafood. If your not getting enough zinc in your diet, you may want to consider a supplement.

Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid that helps support the immune system. It is used most often as a natural cold sore remedy, but its benefits are more extensive than that and include everything from anxiety to diabetes. It is absorbed best into the body when consumed through food. It’s found in large amounts in various kinds of meat, beans, cheeses and eggs. But it can also be taken in supplement form.

Honey

Honey is a wonderful antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory remedy. It is helpful for treating minor wounds and burns. You can apply honey directly on your shingle blisters a few times a day. Use manuka honey or a raw, local honey for the best benefits.

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