Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.  Symptoms of shingles can be worsened by a weakened immune system and symptoms typically worsen as age increases.

It can cause nerve pain, fever, and clear blisters and can be triggered by a weakened immune system.

Shingles can be very painful and will run along the flank of the body but can also spread to others areas most commonly affecting the T3 to L3 dermatomes and most common on the T10 dermatome.

Top Foods For Shingles

Foods high in B-vitamins – The nervous system is under attack by the shingles virus, therefore it is important to include foods high in B-vitamins such as grass-fed beef, cultured dairy, eggs, organic chicken and wild caught fish.
Water – Adequate hydration is the key to flushing out the virus from your system. Try to drink at least 8 ounces every 2 hours.
Garlic and onions – Both of these herbs/vegetable contain allicin which can help boost immune function.
Foods rich in vitamin C – Add orange and yellow fruits and vegetables to increase yourvitamin C intake.
Green leafy vegetables – These vegetables are high in vitamin A and calcium which can boost immune function.

Foods to Avoid For Faster Healing

Sugar – Decreases white blood cells that help fight off infection.
Fruit juices – Although orange juice contains some vitamin C, it is not as high in vitamin C as whole fruits or vegetables.
Caffeine – Depletes the body of hydration, so avoid it.
Carbonated beverages – These beverages promote a more acidic system, so try to limit them during the acute illness.
Fried foods – Promotes an acidic environment, so best to avoid these foods.

Top 5 Shingles Natural Treatments

#1 Vitamin C (1,000mg 3-4x daily)
Helps with immune system function and boosts white blood cells.

#2 Echinacea (500 mg 3x daily)
This herb can help your body fight off infections and viruses.

#3 Oregano oil (500mg 2x daily)
Oil of Oregano has a powerful antiviral effect.

#4 Vitamin B12 (1000-5000 mcg daily)
Vitamin B12 helps promote faster recovery and reduced pain.

#5 Zinc (50 mg daily)
Zinc supports immune function and has an antiviral effect.  It works best when taken at the first sign of illness.

Bonus Remedies
Essential oils of melaleuca (tea tree oil), peppermint and helichrysum improve immunity, fight infection and can relieve pain associated with shingles.

Take 2 drops of each essential oil and mix it with 1/4 tsp of coconut oil and rub it on area of shingles pain.

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By Dr Julian Whitaker

Many folks are also plagued with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)—unrelenting nerve pain that can linger for years after an initial shingles attack. PHN symptoms vary in severity from tenderness in the affected area to shooting, stabbing, throbbing pain or numbness and tingling along the nerve lines. Other serious shingles complications include skin infections, vision and hearing problems, facial paralysis and muscle weakness.

If you look to your conventional doctor for treating shingles, don’t be surprised if he gives you a prescription for an antiviral, anti-seizure, antidepressant or opiate medication. These are the go-to drugs for treating shingles and PHN. But these prescription meds are rife with dangerous side effects and contraindications, which makes it difficult for many patients to take them. And because they only mask pain and other symptoms, they aren’t a viable long-term solution for treating shingles.

That’s why I recommend the following safe, natural and effective methods for treating shingles instead.

IV Vitamin C and Microcurrent for Treating Shingles

Several lab studies have shown that vitamin C inhibits viral replication, so it makes sense that this therapy could ease an episode of shingles. It’s also been noted that patients suffering with PHN have reduced blood levels of vitamin C. (Any time the immune system is stressed, levels of this protective vitamin plummet.) Furthermore, case studies demonstrate that treating shingles with IV vitamin C significantly reduces postherpetic pain and improves patients’ quality of life.

We’ve also had success at The Whitaker Wellness Institute with microcurrent therapy. This safe and simple treatment utilizes extremely low-level electrical currents (microcurrents) to treat nerve and muscle pain, inflammation and other health challenges. Patients with shingles and PHN report significant improvements with microcurrent therapy.

Over-the-Counter Therapies for Treating Shingles

Though I firmly believe that IV vitamin C and microcurrent therapy should be the first-line therapies for treating shingles and PHN, a number of over-the-counter remedies are also helpful.

• High-dose vitamin B12 is a time-honored treatment for shingles.
• The amino acid L-lysine, like vitamin C, inhibits the replication of the herpes zoster virus.
• Another option is a product called Shing-RELEEV (formerly Shingle-EEZE), a blend of antimicrobial and botanical agents that is applied topically to relieve shingles pain.

The suggested daily doses are: 1,000–2,000 mcg of vitamin B12  and 1,500–3,000 mg of L-lysine. Take these supplements in divided doses as soon as symptoms occur; continue until symptoms subside. Shing-RELEEV is sold in drugstores or may be purchased at releev.com. Use as directed.

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A good combination for getting rid of shingles is colloidal silver, proteolytic enzymes and olive leaf extract.

Colloidal silver is an extremely effective pathogen destroyer which can be taken internally as well as applied topically. Recent studies have found that: 1) Colloidal silver attaches itself to viruses and prevents them from replicating and 2) There are specific silver receptors on human nerve tissue – the location where the shingles virus “hides out”.

Proteolytic enzymes are produced naturally by the pancreas to help digest the protein, and they are reported to be able to strip away the protective outer layers and heads of viruses. These enzymes are found in certain foods, such as papaya and pineapple, and are also available in supplement form.

In a German study, 96 people with shingles took proteolytic enzymes for 14 days and another 96 people with shingles took acyclovir, a standard antiviral medication. Both groups experienced similar pain relief and skin improvement. The group taking proteolytic enzymes had significantly fewer side effects.

Olive leaf extract is a very effective anti-viral that has been reported to conquer viruses that mainstream medicine considers impossible to eliminate, such as Hepatitis-C. One patient who had suffered from shingles for nine years reported experiencing complete relief within two days after beginning to use olive leaf extract.

Tips for relieving shingles symptoms:

*Keep blisters dry and the affected area clean.

*Do not burst the blisters no matter how tempting.

*Apply wet, cool compresses to reduce pain

*Apply wet dressings to soothe the burning sensation.

*Avoid being in humid areas.

*Keep yourself cool.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031598_shingles_outbreaks.html#ixzz4LfGakFtE