Ayurvedic Treatment for Shingles

Home / Diseases & Ayurveda / Hair-and-skin / Shingles

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also called Herpes Zoster, is a viral infection that leads to a painful rash. It generally appears as a line of blisters on one side (typically near the waistline) but could also be located on the facial skin, neck, and various other parts of the body. It's caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, the same virus that causes Chickenpox. The virus does not leave the body once someone recovers from Chickenpox. Instead, it lies dormant in nerve tissues. It may reactivate as Shingles years later.
Anybody who has had Chickenpox can contract Shingles, though it's more prevalent in individuals over 50 and with weakened immune systems. You can not get Shingles from someone else. However, a person with Shingles can spread the Varicella-Zoster Virus to individuals who haven't had Chickenpox, who could then develop Chickenpox, not Shingles.

Common Causes of Shingles

The reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus in your body causes Shingles, a painful skin disorder. Understanding what might prompt this virus to wake up and become active again may help you control or prevent an outbreak of the disease.

The common triggers of Shingles include:

Weakened Immune System: The most common cause is diminished immune strength from the ageing process or medical conditions that weaken the immune system (for example, HIV, cancer, or diabetes). Treatments such as Chemotherapy might also hamper the immune system and increase the likelihood of catching Shingles.
Stress: High stress levels could weaken the immune system and facilitate the reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus.
Age: The risk for Shingles increases with age, especially after 50. This is because the immune system also grows weaker with progressing age.
Illness or Injury: Sometimes, an illness or a physical trauma triggers the reactivation of the virus.
Some Medications: Medicines that suppress the immune system, like drugs or steroids for autoimmune disorders or organ transplant patients, might also raise the risk of a Shingles outbreak.

Signs and Symptoms of Shingles

Shingles has a distinct set of signs and symptoms that can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Recognising these signs early could facilitate faster treatment and reduce the severity and duration of the condition.
The most noticeable symptoms of Shingles are :

Tingling, burning, or numbness on a specific area of your skin
A red rash that appeared in a band or a small area on one side of your body or face
Clusters of clear blisters that developed from the rash
Deep, penetrating pain in the area of the rash
Fever and headache
Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
Sensitivity to light

Ayurvedic Understanding of Shingles

In Ayurveda, shingles is considered a condition known as Visarpa or Kaksha, meaning something that spreads like a snake. It happens when your body energies get imbalanced: Pitta and Vata. Pitta dosha is the controller of heat and energy in the body, which gets imbalanced due to unhealthy eating habits. Vata dosha is the controller of air and movement in the body, which gets imbalanced due to factors like taking a lot of stress or an unhealthy lifestyle and routine. The excessive Pitta causes intense burning sensations, redness, and fluid-filled blisters. The Vata dosha governs the nervous system, which gives severe, sharp, neuralgic pain and one-sided spread along the nerve pathways.

Ayurvedic Medicines for Shingles

In Ayurveda, Shingles is treated with therapies and herbal medicines to restore the body's equilibrium and strengthen immunity. These treatments relieve pain and speed up the process of skin healing. Some common Ayurvedic medicinal herbs recommended during the treatment of Shingles are given below :

Neem: Neem leaves and oil have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem oil can reduce redness and irritation on the rash, and neem tea may boost immunity.
Turmeric: The curcumin in turmeric is an anti-inflammatory compound that can be used both topically and as a food additive. Applying turmeric paste on the rash can help relieve inflammation and pain.
Triphala: This herbal mixture of three fruits (Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki) contains antioxidant and detoxifying properties. Taking Triphala can improve skin health and immunity.
Mulethi (Licorice): Mulethi has immune-boosting and antiviral properties. It is soothing on the skin and can be taken as a tea to support immune function.

Lifestyle & Dietary Changes For Preventing Shingles

To prevent shingles, one must follow a healthy lifestyle, routine, and good diet that strengthens your immune system and keeps you healthy.

Take a balanced diet: Eat enough protein, fibre, and vitamins from the source of food; it will help keep you healthy and your body active.
Avoid refined and junk food: Do not eat food that is overly fried, refined, unprocessed, or junk food, as it will only weaken your digestive health.
Manage your stress levels: Do breathing exercises and meditation to manage stress.
Sleep properly: Take 7-8 hours of sleep daily to keep your body and digestion active throughout the day.
Exercise: Go for a walk of at least 20-30 minutes or do mild cardio at home.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Reduce the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking.

When To See A Doctor?

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

If you have a rash near your eye or the face.
If you are older than 50 or pregnant.
If you have a severe headache, neck stiffness, vision changes, and muscle weakness.
If you have a very high fever.
If you have clusters of clear blisters that developed from the rash.
If you have deep, penetrating pain in the area of the rash.

Conclusion

Dealing with shingles can be extremely painful and can create a lot of discomfort in your body. For this, Ayurveda offers a very different approach, which is not only to cool down the rashes and calm the pain from outside but treating it from the root so that the problem does not come back again. By making certain changes in your lifestyle and diet, it uses certain herbal remedies and therapies to cool down and cure the blisters from the inside out.