15 Essential Oils for Shingles: Soothe Pain and Relieve Symptoms
The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, is what causes shingles or herpes zoster. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can stay in your body and later reappear as shingles. This virus can lie dormant near your spinal cord and brain. Shingles cause a painful rash that can appear anywhere on your body in a stripe-like pattern. While there’s no cure for shingles, essential oils are often used to help ease the pain and discomfort of the rash.
Here are 15 essential oils that may help alleviate shingles symptoms:
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has natural antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the most popular essential oils for shingles relief. Tea tree oil for shingles helps reduce the pain, itching, and inflammation associated with the rash.
- Lavender Oil: People know that lavender oil can relax and soothe them. As one of the essential oils to use for shingles pain, it can help reduce pain and promote relaxation, which may be beneficial for shingles patients.
- Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil can help ease the pain and swelling that come with shingles because it is a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory. It is known as an essential oil for shingles, and it can also help with itching by cooling the skin.
- Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil can help ease and calm the skin by cooling it down. If you are looking for essential oils that are good for shingles, peppermint oil has pain-relieving properties that can help alleviate shingles-related pain.
- Chamomile Oil: Chamomile oil can help ease the pain and inflammation that come with shingles because it is an anti-inflammatory and painkiller. Aside from being an essential oil for shingles pain, it also has a calming effect that can promote relaxation.
- Geranium Oil: Geranium oil can help ease the pain and swelling of shingles because it kills germs and reduces inflammation. As one of the noted essential oils for shingles, it also has a soothing effect that can help alleviate itching.
- Thyme Oil: Thyme oil can help fight the varicella-zoster virus and stop secondary infections because it kills viruses and germs. It can also help ease the pain of shingles because it has pain-relieving qualities.
- Bergamot Oil: Because it kills germs and eases pain, bergamot oil can help reduce the pain and swelling that come with shingles. This essential oil is good for shingles, and it also smells like citrus fruits, which can make you feel better.
- Oregano Oil: Oregano oil has strong antiviral properties that can help fight the varicella-zoster virus. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with shingles.
- Lemon Oil: Lemon oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help fight the varicella-zoster virus and prevent secondary infections. It also smells like citrus fruits, which are nice and can make you feel better.
- Rosemary Oil: As a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory, rosemary oil can help ease the pain and swelling that come with shingles. As one of the best essential oils for shingles, it also has a stimulating effect that can promote circulation.
- Clove Oil: Clove oil can help ease the pain of shingles because it has pain-relieving qualities. It can also kill germs, which can help stop infections from spreading.
- Frankincense Oil: Frankincense oil can help ease the pain and swelling that come with shingles because it is an anti-inflammatory. It can also help you relax by making you feel calm.
- Helichrysum Oil: Helichrysum oil can help ease the pain and inflammation that come with shingles because it is an anti-inflammatory and painkiller. It also has regenerative properties that can promote the healing of the skin.
- Neroli Oil: Because it kills germs and reduces inflammation, neroli oil can help ease the pain and swelling that come with shingles. It can also help you relax by making you feel calm.
Essential Oils for Shingles Pain: The Application
To apply essential oils for shingles, you should first dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil to reduce the risk of skin irritation. Here’s how you can do it:
- Pick out an essential oil: Choose an essential oil that is known to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and fight viruses, like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, or lavender oil.
- Dilute: Mix 1-2 drops of essential oil with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, like olive or coconut oil, to make it less strong. It will help keep your face from getting irritated.
- Patch Test: If you’re not sure if the diluted essential oil will help, test it on a small area of skin first. Be sure there are no allergic responses.
- Apply: Once you’re sure that the diluted essential oil is safe for your skin, use a clean cotton ball or swab to apply it directly to the shingles rash. Apply the oil to the area slowly, being careful not to get it on any open sores or broken skin.
- As needed: You can put the diluted essential oil on the hurt area two to three times a day, or as needed, to help ease the pain and speed up the healing process.
It is important to remember that essential oils can help ease the pain of shingles, but they are not a cure for the disease. If you think you might have shingles, you should see your doctor right away to get the correct evaluation and treatment plan.
Get Relief From Shingles Pain From Essential Oils
Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can be a painful condition with no cure. However, essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus can help manage its symptoms. Applying these oils properly, diluted with a carrier oil, can offer relief from pain and inflammation associated with the rash. Before putting any essential oil on an area that hurts, make sure to do a patch test. To get the right evaluation and treatment for shingles, it’s important to talk to a doctor before using essential oils.