Shingles also known as Herpes Zoster is a common infection of the nerves. It is caused by a type of virus - varicella-zoster virus. This virus also causes the common childhood disease chickenpox. Shingles or Herpes Zoster triggers a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, typically on only one side of the face or body. Burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching are early signs of the infection. After the rash is gone, the pain usually resolves. But it can continue for months, even years. This is called Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN).

Shingles are most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again. But it is possible to get shingles more than once.

Causes of Shingles infection:-

Chickenpox is a common childhood illness and the virus from this lies dormant (inactive) in the nervous system until it is reactivated later in life, causing shingles. It is possible to get shingles more than once, but it is rare to get it more than twice.

It is unknown why the virus is reactivated later in life, but there is a belief that you are more susceptible to shingles if you have a low immune system. This could be due to any of the following: 

* Old age – the elderly have a reduced immunity and research shows that shingles is more common in individuals over 70 years old

* Physical and emotional stress – when a person is stressed, chemicals are released that reduce the body’s natural immune defenses

* HIV and AIDS – these infections by their nature lower an individual’s immunity

* Chemotherapy – despite being a successful cancer treatment, this medication can weaken the immune system 

* Bone marrow transplant – this procedure can affect a person’s immune system

* Organ transplants – after a transplant the medication required for the body to accept the organ, can cause reduced immunity.

Symptoms:- 

Shingles or Herpes usually affects a small section of the body. Some if the symptoms include: sensitivity to touch, red rash, itching, fluid-filled blisters, pain, burning, numbness, and tingling. Rashes normally occur on the left or right side of the torso, but they can occur around one eye, neck, face, and even ears. Some people experience headaches, fatigue, and fever. The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is severe pain in the areas where the shingles rash occurred. 

Ayurvedic view on Shingles or Herpes Zoster :

According to Ayurveda Shingles or Herpes zoster is closely related to ‘Visarpa’. It is one of the major skin diseases. Mainly pitta dosha aggravates along with involvement of kapha and vata dosha. Pitta dosha is a responsible factor for the eruption of reddish painful boils in the hands, armpit, shoulder, eyes, and waist. 

Ayurvedic treatment for Shingles or Herpes Zoster :

For treating Shingles or Herpes Zoster, Ayurveda recommends a combination of a corrective diet especially a pitta pacifying diet, daily exercise, and herbal medicines both for internal use as well as for external local application in the form of herbal pastes and medicated oils massage. Medicated oils in the form of Nasyam are also very effective.

Ayurvedic Herbs and Herbal products used for treating Shingles are:-

* Neem - Neem is very effective in treating Shingles infection by acting as an effective antiviral and antibacterial agent. Helps to avoid complications. Neem acts as an antioxidant as well. Helps to stop nerve damage caused by viruses and superadded bacterial infection. 

* Yashtimadhu - It is very effective in relieving itching, burning, rashes, and blisters. It acts as an antioxidant as well as an immune booster. Glycyrrhizin is a chemical constituent present in this herb, which is scientifically proven to act against DNA and RNA viruses including HZV, and HSV.

* Haritaki - It is a very good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and digestive herb; very effective in viral and bacterial infections. Thus it helps in reducing rashes, nervine pain, blisters, and burning sensation.

* Giloy - It is a proven best antiviral herb as well as it helps to raise immunity. Very effective in decreasing pitta to help with burning sensation and all flu-like symptoms, especially in the first few days of infection.

* Chamomille - Very good antiviral and effective in reducing all rash-related symptoms.

* Hypericum/ St John Wart-  Basant/ Mysore Hypericum in Ayurveda is also commonly used for a related virus, shingles. This virus is an acute, painful inflammation of the nerve ganglia, that manifests as a skin eruption that often circles around the middle of the body. Herbalists use St. John’s Wort both topically and internally to reduce the duration and relieve the pain of the outbreak. 

* Patol - This herb helps to reduce inflammation, and burning sensation.

* Thuja - Thuja is a general term for trees of the genus Thuja, which belongs to the cedar family. Thuja occidentalis, also known as arbor vitae or tree of life. The healing properties of the cedar trees have been known and used by many cultures, including the Americans, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, and Ayurvedic healers. The most common traditional use of Thuja is as an antiviral.

* Cleaver - Cleavers enhance the function of the lymphatic system and improve its ability to flush out toxins, decrease congestion, and reduce swelling. The lymph-cleansing action of this herb in turn enhances the function of the immune system. Cleavers are the ultimate springtime herb and start to appear when sluggish immune systems require a boost.

* Andrographis- Andrographis, also known as Indian Echinacea, kalmegh, or green chiretta, is a medicinal herb that has been used in Chinese and the ancient Indian traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda and Siddha for thousands of years. Andrographis has benefited from significant research with respect to HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infection.

* Ghritam - It is very good to balance pitta and vata doshas. Helps in reducing burning sensation, pain, and stiffness in rases. Makes skin more emollient and helps in soothing. 

* Indian Echinacea- It possesses immuno-stimulant, antiviral, anti-parasitic and antibiotic properties. It helps to activate the general defense function of the immune system. It also stimulates the production of antibodies and is effective in healing skin issues.

* Boswellia - Helps in reducing inflammation and pain.

* Ocimum (Tulsi)- Well known herb in Ayurveda, Ocimum helps in alleviating minor infections, studies suggest that tulsi can also be used for treating the dreaded herpes infection, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus or human herpesvirus. Once the person gets infected, the virus stays dormant in the system for life and can cause breakouts during times of stress. What makes it particularly embarrassing to the sufferer is that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is oral herpes, causes cold sores around the mouth. In a study published in the African Journal of Biotechnology, scientists have studied the antiviral activities of dichloromethane and methanol extracts of tulsi, particularly against the herpes simplex virus. The study found that tulsi had an inhibitory effect on the herpes pathogen at various stages of the virus' development.

* Manjistha - Acts as an antiviral agent. Helps in reducing nerve pain and detoxification of body.
 

Above mentioned Ayurvedic herbs along with many other Ayurvedic herbs not only help Shingles or Herpes Zoster infected persons in reducing symptoms but also help to control this condition from the root cause. For a detailed treatment plan please contact Life Line Ayurvedic Herbal Clinic team here.