Dear Tracy,
I received your question regarding Shingles. The following are some complementary protocols that may help reduce symptoms of this extremely painful condition.
Passion Flower leaves have been used traditionally as a sedative. In fact, Algonquin Indians used passion flower tea to help soothe their nerves.
Passion flower supports the nervous system in a variety of ways. Many have found that it helps with relaxation of tense muscles and tension headaches.
It is widely used to promote a restful night’s sleep, known for its sedative and soothing properties, to lower blood pressure, prevent tachycardia and for insomnia.
It may be used wherever an anti-spasmodic is required, e.g. in Parkinson's disease, seizures and hysteria. Passion Flower can be very effective in nerve pain such as neuralgia and the viral infection of nerves called shingles.
It may also be used in asthma where there is much spasmodic activity, especially when there is associated tension.
The following may help reduce symptoms:
- Cold compresses: Apply towels or washcloths wrung out in cold water (and stored in the freezer if you want them colder) to the lesions.
- Lysine cream, available in health food stores, can be applied topically daily or as directed on package label.
- Make an ointment of two mashed aspirins mixed with two tablespoons of chloroform (or Vaseline intensive Care). Apply to the lesions and let dry, Calamine lotion can be applied to the lesions. (during the evening)
- E capsules can be squeezed directly onto lesions.
- To keep shingles at bay, you should avoid arginine-rich foods such as chocolate, legumes, and nuts, especially peanuts, and eat more foods that are rich in lysine, such as fish, tofu, eggs; they multiply with the help of the amino acid arginine and are inhibited by another amino acid called lysine. Lysine may work by blocking the virus’s ability to absorb and use arginine
The Bach flower crabapple and mimulus has been known to aid in recovery
In addition to your daily supplements you can also take the following while symptoms persist:
- Lysine supplements: 500 to 1,000 mg. three times daily during an outbreak.
- Vitamin C: 2 to 3 g. daily taken 1 g. (1,000 mg.) every six hours at first sign of pain and continued until the lesions clear.
- Vitamin E: 600 I.U. daily while condition persists.
Let me know if you would like me to order any of these supplements. I hope you feel better soon.
God Bless