Some homeopathic and naturopathic remedies and tips that can help.
Most of us know about chicken pox, that annoying itchy spotty childhood illness, easily remedied with rest, sleep, good food and some homeopathy.
The virus responsible for chicken pox is the varicella zoster virus. When this virus has done its job, that is to EDUCATE a child’s immune system the virus tends to go and ‘chill out’ in the nervous system and does not do much. However, at times (such as due to stress, medications, poor nutrition, toxin overload) the virus can ‘wake up’ and move along the nerve fibres and once it reaches the skin ‘shows up’ as shingles. This is like a ‘grown up’ version of chicken pox which is also known as herpes zoster.
However, not every one gets shingles. But in naturopathy it is believed that if you suppress the virus or the pathogen it will only re-appear in another ‘costume’ and that new costume can be a lot less glamorous, i.e. shingles (definitely less glamorous than chicken pox).
Shingles tends to show up as a red rash, that can burn, blister, weep, and can be incredibly painful for some. So painful, life is a misery. This rash usually appears on one side of the body and tends to take the shape of a band , it can appear any where on the body but common for it to appear on the torso. Location depends on where the virus has been and travelled to along the nerve fibres.
So what can be done, now for some it can be mild, others it can be quite intense and others can experience long term neuralgia, that is nerve pain. However, we have some wonderful homeopathic remedies for shingles.
With homeopathy, you want to match the correct remedy to your symptoms, not just any random remedy off the list. WHY? Because in homeopathy it is about ‘like treats like’…typical example is if you drink coffee and get all ‘wired and hyper’, to alleviate those symptoms one can take the homeopathic remedy made from coffee called Coffea crude. Taking a remedy made from chocolate will not do the trick. So it is all about matching, a bit like a game of BINGO or snap. More in our book, Rapid Relief Homeopathy.
Some of the more common rapid relief homeopathic remedies used for shingles:
Arsenicum Album
Burning pains from the eruptions. Individual is chilly, mentally restless and anxious but physically weak. Utterly exhausted. Thirst for sips of cold water.
Better: for heat.
Worse: after midnight till 3pm, cold or open air, burning pains that are better for heat
Rhus Tox
The blisters/vesicles have a yellow colour and intensely itchy and painful. Individual is very restless with continuous need to change position. Often on the right hand side. Thirsty for larger quantities of drink.
Better: for constantly moving, warmth, hot bath
Worse: at night, drinking cold water, on beginning to move, rainy weather
Mezereum
Rash usually on the face, including the lips and gums, but can be elsewhere, violent itching with intense burning, and sharp pains. Crusts weep yellow pus. There can be toothache. Individual is generally chilly
Worse: eruptions are worse from heat, touch, evening until midnight
Better: for cold application on the eruptions, cool fresh air but wrapping up
Ranunculus bulbous
Shingles may be preceded by or followed by neuralgic pains in the rib case. Blisters may look bluish, violent itching and burning and generally on ribcage. Pain is stitching, stabbing and shooting and comes in ‘bursts’.
Worse: from touch of any kind, clothing or otherwise, exposure to cold air, breathing, or moving
Better: sitting bent forward, standing
Cantharis
Burning pains internally and externally. Vesicles filled with water with burning pains and a raw sensation. May also get a urine infection or have the urge to urinate with cutting and burning pains.
Worse: for heat, touch, urinating
Better: for cold applications, lying down, evening, morning, perspiring
Applying calendula ointment can be very soothing and healing.
Cell saltsCell salts, also known as tissue salts or biochemical salts, were developed by the German physician Dr Wilhelm Schüßler in the 19th century. They are prepared from naturally occurring mineral compounds and are used in highly diluted doses to support the body's ability to utilise and regulate minerals. The twelve original cell salts include familiar minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, and silica, each traditionally associated with different tissues and functions within the body. are always such great little helpers
The following cell salts can be helpful:
- Ferrum Phosphoricum
- Zincum Muriaticum
- Natrum Muriaticum
- Selenium Metallicum
You can order these cell salts from Helios either combined or individually. Cell salts are always at the lower potencies of 3x, 6x, 12x even 9x unlike the homeopathic remedies. One can take two pills, twice a day or even more of these cell salts during the acute infection and reduce to 2 pills twice a day for a few more weeks. You can use these alongside the indicated homeopathic remedy. Want to dive in deeper and learn more about cell salts? We have just the course here: 12 Naturopathic Biochemical Cell Salts.
Homeopathic remedies can be ordered from any good homeopathic pharmacy. In the UK we have:
- Ainsworth : www.ainsworths.com
- Helios : www.helios.co.uk
- Nelsons : www.nelsonspharmacy.com
To learn more, our Rapid Relief Homeopathy book offers practical , 21st-century style guidance on using homoeopathy in your home and/or practice. Includes, chapters on potency, dosing, and QR codes leading to videos to further aid in prescribing homeopathy.
“This book is a fantastic resource. The information is laid out clearly, making it simple to find what you need without feeling overwhelmed. Everything is explained in an informative yet approachable way, which makes it great for everyday use. The kids even enjoy having a look through it, which says a lot about how well presented it is.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting a straightforward and well-organised guide.”
L.Slater
To WHOLEness!
From the team at The New School Of Nutritional Medicine
Learn about the Founder & Principal of the New School of Nutritional Medicine, Dr Khush Mark PhD HERE.
Please note that all information provided is for educational purposes, always seek the advice of your health practitioner.
