I’m often asked which essential oils are best for reducing the nerve pain, itchiness, and PHN caused by shingles and thought it would be helpful to share what I’ve learned for those of you suffering from this debilitating virus.
A Little More on Shingles
Shingles, aka Herpes zoster, is an acute infection of the sensory nerve roots that is closely related to the chicken pox virus. It most commonly affects middle-aged or elderly individuals.
The shingles virus affects sensory nerves before entering the spinal cord and causes blisters to erupt on the area of skin where those nerves are affected. Pain is usually felt before the blisters appear and can persist for several weeks before they disappear. Symptoms can include numbness, depression, tingling, shooting pains, fever, and headaches.
The face and midsection of the body are most often affected. If the trigeminal nerve (the nerve responsible for sensation in the face) is affected, eruptions can occur on the cornea of the eye which can cause blindness if not treated promptly.
Pain that lingers after the blisters have healed is called postherpetic neuralgia.
Stages of The Shingles Virus
1. A weakened immune system caused by stress, illness, immune system deficiencies etc. reawakens the virus
2. Shingles is often preceded by 3-4 days of chills, fever, and aches
3. Burning pain and sensitive skin begins to develop
4. A rash develops on the skin followed by blisters filled with pus that resemble the chicken pox. The affected area becomes excruciatingly painful and sensitive to touch
5. The blisters burst, crust over, and begin to heal. Skin becomes very itchy
6. If the nerves are damaged, postherpetic neuralgia can occur and can last several months
Therapeutic Strategy for Treating Shingles
1. Treat the legions with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and analgesic (pain relieving) essential oils
2. Tonify the immune system by using nourishing foods, herbs, and other immune-boosting supplements like L-lysine
3. Reduce stress and get plenty of rest
The Best Essential Oils for Shingles and How to Use Them
Essential oils are a must have for reducing the duration and severity of shingles. They can soothe away nerve pain, calm redness, reduce itching, and expedite healing of the skin.
In this article, I will share the best suited essential oils for treating shingles naturally, as well as a few recipes you can make at home that will speed up your recovery and offer a bit of comfort while the virus runs its course.
The key is consistency of application while staying nourished, using relaxing nervines, and reducing stress throughout treatment. Following these guidelines can heal shingles more quickly and with less severe symptoms.
Also keep in mind that if the person being treated is taking a lot of medications, reduce the essential oil quantities in half.
Best of luck!
Best Essential Oils for Treating the Herpes Zoster Virus
For the most comfortable application, essential oils for shingles should be added to a spritzer bottle with either witch hazel, thin aloe vera juice (you can strain and dilute it with witch hazel or filtered water), herbal hydrosols, or a thin carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil.
The spray should be about a 10% dilution ratio or 60 drops of essential oil in 1oz of liquid/carrier oil.
You can pick and choose from the oils below based on your needs and formulate a simple shingles spray.
Bergamot
Bergamot is one of the most effective essential oils that inhibit the herpes virus and will aid in drying blisters and giving you long-lasting pain relief. It is a powerful antiviral and analgesic essential oil that will also support you emotionally throughout your healing journey.
Be sure to use bergapten-free bergamot essential oil or make sure to completely cover any areas of topical application with clothing if going outside. Bergamot is an extremely phototoxic essential oil meaning it reacts negatively when exposed to sunlight.
Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil will help soothe redness and irritation on and around the blistering skin. Its anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties make it a perfect match for treating shingles and reducing pain. If used consistently, you can prevent scarring and further infection.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil eases pain associated with shingles and will reduce redness and inflammation of blister legions. Lavender will also help relax you if you have trouble sleeping due to pain. Lavender can also treat pain that occurs long after the blisters have disappeared.
Ravensara
Ravensara essential oil has known properties that are effective against the herpes virus, specifically for the treatment of active shingles. It has an affinity for clearing skin ailments and infections and helps reduce pain and inflammation. Many find it helpful to dilute this oil with tamanu oil when applying it to active shingles legions. Ravensara is one of the nest essential oils for shingles.
Manuka
Manuka essential oil has been shown to inhibit the herpes simplex virus and may help shorten the duration of shingles. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Melissa
Melissa essential oil (aka lemon balm EO) is an excellent oil for preventing the spread of shingles due to its polyphenol content and has shown a significant reduction in the duration and severity of shingles. It speeds up healing and relieves itching and redness.
Melissa is also an amazing remedy for cold sores and can reduce duration, severity, and recurrence.
This essential oil is best used as soon as a shingles outbreak occurs.
General Shingles Recipes to Use Upon Outbreak
Mix the recipes below with an equal amount of carrier oil and apply to affected areas with a clean cotton swab 3-5 times a day. Many recipes call for “neat” application, but I think this is too strong.
Using the essential below oils in a 50/50 ratio will help stave off the virus, however, try a patch test first as this is still a very strong dilution to use. You can, of course, add more carrier oil to dilute the recipes further to suit your needs. Please refer to this article for dilutions and conversions.
Shingles Outbreak Recipe #1
• 10 drops Melissa essential oil
• 10 drops ravensara essential oil
Shingles Outbreak Recipe #2
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops bergapten-free bergamot essential oil
Shingles Outbreak Recipe #3
• 5 drops manuka essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 5 drops Melissa essential oil
Essential Oils that Relieve Itching Caused by Shingles
The essential oils below are excellent calming oils for dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. They penetrate deeply and help alleviate symptoms within minutes.
If you still have a lot of pain, you can use 60 drops of essential oil in 2oz of water (I recommend starting with 30 drops first to see how that feels as it is a very strong dilution), witch hazel, or thin carrier oil and use it as a spray, or you can follow the recipes I’ve listed below mixed in an equal amount of carrier oil. Again, adjust the dilution to suit your needs.
German/Roman Chamomile
Both German and Roman chamomile essential oil are incredibly anti-inflammatory and soothing for the skin and are probably the best oils to use for treating itchy shingles. These essential oils are also analgesic and will reduce pain, soothe discomfort, and relieve maddening itching.
Helichrysum
Helichrysum is one of the best oils to use for healing the skin, reducing pain, and alleviating inflammation that causes allergic and itchy reactions. Helichrysum will also repair damaged nerves caused by shingles.
Lavender
Lavender is such a diverse and useful oil and using it for itchy healing skin is no exception. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties make it perfect for healing skin, reducing redness, and preventing scarring caused by shingles as it reaches its final stages.
Palmarosa
Palmarosa essential oil is known for its ability to alleviate dry, irritated, and itchy skin. This oil also has antiseptic and cell rejuvenating properties that aid in the regeneration of the skin.
Peppermint
The cooling properties of peppermint will calm inflammation and relieve itching as shingles legions begin to heal and dry. If peppermint can nix itching caused by poison oak and poison ivy, it can certainly relieve itchy skin caused by shingles!
Recipes for Itchy Skin Caused by Shingles
Some essential oils have an affinity for relieving itchy skin and calming inflammation. Combine the essential oils below with an equal amount of carrier oil and apply evenly with a clean cotton swab 3-5 times a day. Using the oils in a 50/50 ratio will help stave off the virus, however, try a patch test first as this is a very strong dilution to use. You can, of course, add more carrier oil to dilute the recipes further to suit your needs.
Shingles Recipe for Itchy Skin #1
• 7 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 7 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 7 drops sandalwood essential oil
Shingles Recipe for Itchy Skin #2
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops geranium essential oil (geranium encourages the growth of new skin cells and expedites healing)
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
Shingles Recipe for Itchy Skin #3
• 10 drops juniper essential oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
Shingles Recipe for Itchy Skin #4
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• 10 drops myrrh essential oil
• 2 drops helichrysum essential oil
Shingles Recipe for Itchy Skin #5
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops german chamomile essential oil
Essential Oils for Nerve Pain Associated with Shingles
There are several essential oils that can dramatically reduce pain, tingling, and the pins and needles sensation caused by shingles. Some of my favorites to use are camphor, eucalyptus globulus, and the cooling power of peppermint essential oil. I’ve listed others that have worked well for nerve pain and residual nerve pain below.
Black Pepper – this is a good oil to use if heat brings you relief for nerve and muscle pain
Camphor – camphor is a warming oil that eradicates nerve pain and pins and needles
Eucalyptus globulus – a cooling oil that has analgesic properties useful for all type of pain
Eucalyptus radiata – a cooling oil with penetrating properties good for pain
Ginger – a good oil to use if heat alleviates your symptoms
Helichrysum – a highly analgesic oil that repairs damaged nerves
Lavender – recuses nerve pain and supports you emotionally during healing. Promotes sleep
Marjoram – a warming, analgesic oil
Melissa – one of the best essential oils for shingles. Prevents the spread of shingles and reduces nerve pain
Ravensara – a strong antiviral that supports nerve health and integrity
Sandalwood – effective against all forms of herpes and other skin conditions
Essential Oil Recipes for Shingles Pain and PHN (Post Herpetic Neuralgia)
Below are a few popular blends that work wonders on reducing pain up to several hours before reapplication is needed. These blends are also effective against PHN symptoms.
Dilute the recipes below with equal parts carrier oil (unless otherwise specified) and apply gently with a clean cotton swab 3-5 times a day followed by nerve relaxing tinctures like St. John’s Wort, Scullcap, Passionflower, Valerian, or Motherwort. Use the tinctures as directed on the bottle. Keep in mind that passionflower and valerian tinctures are best used before bedtime as they are sedative in nature. St. John’s Wort can react with certain medications so please do your research.
The combination of essential oils and tinctures should help a shingles outbreak clear up in a matter of days. These oils can also greatly relieve PHN pain.
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #1
• 11 drops eucalyptus globulus essential oil
• 10 drops camphor essential oil
• 6 drops peppermint essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #2
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #3
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops marjoram essential oil
• 2 drops wild orange essential oil
• 3 drops wintergreen essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #4
• 10 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 2 drops geranium essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #5
• 10 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops ravensara essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops helichrysum essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #6
Bergamot, lavender, and tea tree are beneficial in easing pain and irritation, killing the virus, and drying out blisters.
• 7 drops bergapten free bergamot essential oil
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #7
For pain that lasts even after the blisters have disappeared, use roman chamomile to bring much needed relief. This oil soothes and calms dry itchy and inflamed skin.
• 20 drops roman chamomile
Shingles Pain Relief Recipe #8
• 1oz spring water (in a 1oz spritzer bottle)
• 10 drops Melissa essential oil
• 10 drops sandalwood essential oil
*** Shake well and spritz on shingles legions 3-6 times a day.
Other Essential Oils to Consider for Healing Shingles
There are a few other essential oils for shingles that can be quite effective. These can help soothe nerve pain, reduce itching, and calm inflamed skin. They can even help prevent the virus from spreading and are especially useful when applied to the spinal cord (where shingles begins).
Blue Tansy (aka Moroccan Blue Chamomile) – stimulates the immune system, analgesic, skin healing
Cypress – an amazing oil for repairing the skin and nerves. Also pain relieving
Elemi – a strong skin regenerative oil that prevents scarring
Mountain Savory – incredible for pain relief and healing
Oregano – apply diluted to the bottoms of the feet and along the spine to help eradicate shingles faster
Rose – astringent, cooling, and healing in nature. Reduces pain, swelling, and redness
Thyme – apply to the bottoms of the feet and spinal cord to fight off the shingles virus (use half strength dilution)
For more shingles remedies, please check out my other article on the topic!
References:
The Complete Book of Essential Oils
The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy
Essential Oils Pocket Reference
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After 4 days my shingles are almost gone completely by 6 days I’m sure they will be. I mixed oregano oil the kind with 86% carvacrol with olive oil. I mixed it hot where it would sting a little. Which was just a tiny bit of olive oil in the bottom of a shot glass and like five or six drops of oregano and I would just add more if it didn’t sting it wasn’t enough. And so I just put it on there like several times throughout the day on the first day The second day I put it on a bandage a cloth bandage and I took one of those plastic covers that you cover a wound with that completely seals it up and put that over the the cloth bandage that I had soaked in the oil Of course it it was mixed with the carrier oil. I left it on all day long. This is actually the fourth day of the illness but the third day I’ve treated it and my blisters are gone it’s starting to crust over. I’m just going to keep putting it on there and I’m confident in a day or two you probably won’t even be able to tell it I ever had them. I use oregano oil for everything. I truly believe it cures most anything that ails you. 🙄🤷🏼♀️😏
I thought I would add my experience with oils and shingles. Nine years ago I had just finished a round of radiation for cancer when I began to have pain in my back. Four days later I was in urgent care with a doctor telling me that I had shingles and that on top of the radiation burns I was now going to have these blisters breaking out on my body for the next three to four weeks. I had already been using emu oil for the burns so after researching online and reading about oil of oregano I mixed some with the emu oil and put it on the blisters which were popping up at an accelerated rate. I applied this mixture several times a day and in four days, not four weeks the blisters were gone. I then read that because the virus lives in your spine you could control the shingles by putting the oil of oregano directly on the spine. I know, I know you’re supposed to use a carrier oil but when you’ve gone through the pain I was in the oil directly on the skin was nothing. I put the oil directly on about one inch of my skin on my low back up and down my spine. This was nine years ago, I have only had one incident where I started to get shingles again and it was stopped in it’s tracks before it got started by using oil of oregano. That was before I learned to use it on my spine. For several years I would put the oil of oregano on my spine once a month and then tappered off to every few months. I have never had shingles again in my life. The very short bout of shingles and no doubt the radiation did cause some nerve damage with still today causes a little stinging pain and itching, but that is usually calmed down by lavender oil.
Awesome testimonial, Kathleen! Thank you for sharing 🙂 There is someone I know who still suffers from shingles that may benefit from your information, so thank you!
Hey I have a question, my mom
Has/had shingles but the nerve pain tends to come and go, with the nerve pain mixtures, is she to mix them in a bottle and apply them to the areas that are causing her pain? Or put in a diffuser and let the aroma consume the room? Can you please elaborate on specifically how to apply the nerve pain mixtures? It would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I have shingles on my face. I have lavender, tea tree and bergamot essential oils. I will follow the recipe above with 7 drops of each. How much coconut oil should I use? Thank you so much!
Hi Maggie!
I would only use FCF bergamot otherwise you can get really really bad sunburn. For the coconut oil, I would try 1 TB at first and do a patch test. The dilution is still high but it’s a therapeutic application meant to stave off the virus.
Hi! I’m trying the bergamot oil diluted with witch hazel remedy for my mom she has shingles on her scalp. Every how often should we apply to the scalp? Also would this be the best option to help fight the virus?
Hello Tash! I first developed shingles in 1989. Then, for years, I never experienced another outbreak. Thankfully, by the time I did, I knew about essential oils. I did some research and made up my own recipe. I thought I’d written it down, but…apparently, I did not. Which is how I arrived at your post. I have to say, I really appreciate all the research you’ve done AND that you advocate safety. Thanks so much for posting a variety of recipes! BTW, a former co-worker developed shingles a few years ago and I asked her how the meds were working for her. We compared pain levels, breakout duration times, etc. I may be biased, but the EO’s seem to work in half the time (or less), with a huge difference in pain levels. So if anyone is hesitant about trying them, I say give it a go!
I have Transverse Myelitis and I believe it was caused by internal shingles. I have Been in pain for 7 years. I take Some medications for pain and muscle spasms. I’m interested in making essential oil capsules that I could take internally to help with nerve pain. What would be the most beneficial combination of essential oils to take internally (specific amount of each) and how often should I take them. Also, if i were going to make a roller Ball bottle of oils with coconut oil, what oils would be most effective? I’m scheduled to see a specialist in transverse myelitis in July.
Hello! The oils I own from your above list are lavender, Manuka, ravintsara & bergamot. Would it work to use 60 drops of that combination in a 2 oz spritzer bottle topped with alcohol free witch hazel?
Yes! I would start with 30 drops to begin with to see how that feels. It’s still a very strong dilution.
Just finished reading both your article on shingles. Other articles I’ve read mention raventsara not raventsara. Just wondering. Also the thyme recipe–how many drops? You write very informative articles. Thank you!!
Hi, Carole!
You can use both ravensara OR ravintsara. However, they are good for different things. Ravensara is particularly good for fighting the actual shingles virus (as well as herpes) while ravintsara is good for relieving pain and acting as a potent general antiviral. Either way, they are both excellent choices for treating shingles. Perhaps I should write a post that goes in=deoth on the differences between the two!
As for the thyme essential oil, it’s potent stuff! I would try a 1% dilution (6 drops per 1 oz of carrier) and see how that feels. The max dilution is 2% so don;t go higher than 12 drops per 1 oz of carrier or it will will feel irritating on the skin.
thank you for your info for Shingles. have you heard of EMUzing brand. Pure Emu oil.
I have some. and have just found out I have shingles. a rash on my back. but it developed a few days ago.
Hi haven’t heard of that brand before but I know that emu oil is one of the best transdermal oils!
I have shingles on my lip, what do you recommend to use? So far ive only used coconut oil which has helped with the scabbing process but the pain is the worst.
What is the carrier oil that you mix the oils in?
Whatever works best for you skin is the one you should use 🙂
What essential oil can be used for trigger finger(thumb). Thank you.
I would try adding 1-2 drops of ginger CO2 in 1 TB of carrier oil and rub it gently into the area. You can also try dipping a toothpick into some cayenne essential oil and swirling it in as well. Cayenne is really good for stiffness and pain but you’ll want to be careful not to touch sensitive areas after application.
Hi,
I have shingles on my scalp. I am slowly starting to recover but am now noticing a lot of hair loss as well as been incredibly itchy and irritated. What oils would be best to use maybe mixed with coconut oil??
Hi, Claire!
I would try to add just 1-2 drops of rosemary essential oil to 1 TB of carrier oil and gently apply that to the dry itchy areas. You can also do one drop rosemary and one drop lavender if desired in 1 TB of carrier oil. It should help with the irritation and hair loss. If you’re able, perhaps consider taking a good omega-3 supplement 🙂
I contacted shingles in May 2018. I never developed the blisters, only a rash across the left side of my forehead, my scalp and down the side of my face. I was put on valacyclovir hcl within 4 days, along with hydrocodone, 5 mg for pain, which I could not take. My PCP sent me to ER and I was put on 100mg Gabapentin and advised to see my eye doctor ASAP. My eye doctor prescribed acyclovir 5% ointment, erythromycin 0.5% ointment. I continued seeing my eye doctor weekly for two months. The Gabapentin was increased to 300 mg, but still didn’t help. I was advised to see a neurologist for the PHN and I was finally put on 100mg Lyrica 3 x’s a day and continued with the Cymbalta 2x’s a day for my Lupus which alleviated the nerve pain. I have now been weaned down to 100mg of Lyrica once a day along with 100mg Cymbalta twice a day. I have tried a variety of essential oils including melaleuca, lavender, herishysium, dna repair, nerve repair, shampoos, creams to help with the itching caused by the PHN. The area around my eyebrow is numb, my scalp burns at times and my eyelid is dropping along with itching. This has been going on 7 months and there are times I feel like there is no end in sight. Any suggestions.
I’m so sorry I can’t be more helpful! But since I am not a doctor, I’m afraid I can’t give you advise based on your situation 🙁
My husband’s aunt has shingles in her eyes right now. This would be helpful
My Uncle had the shingles eight years ago. While the rash has been gone for years the pain is still intense. Is there anything that can be done to bring him relief?
Hi Starlene!
The best I can offer is the essential oils in this article and other natural remedies that soothe neuropathy which you can read here 🙂 Best of luck!
Because I could not find anything for the itchiness of the shingles, I went into the forest and harvested the fresh and hard pinyon and pine tree sap. I mixed them with coconut oil and left it to “melt” and turn into a salve. I then smeared the mixture on the shingles area. The itching stopped. Now, maybe I can take this list to the local store that sells herbs and oils. Thank you.
I’ve made that salve before! It works great! 🙂
Hi. My mum suffered from shingles almost 2 years ago and is still in pain she is 79 and flying to America to visit my brother in 2 weeks time could you please suggest what I could mix for her to ease her constant pain so that she can enjoy her holiday?
Hi Carolyn!
You can mix up any of the pain relief recipes for shingles towards the end of the article 🙂 I hope she gets relief soon! You may also want to try and get birch essential oil. You only need a few drops in 10ml, no more than 3 drops. She can use it to reduce pain. You can also add in a few drops of peppermint for a cooling sensation and a few drops of roman chamomile.
Best of luck!
I have German chamomile- is there a big difference??
Hi Monica!
It does have a small difference in terms of pain relief but it can still offer come comfort!