9 Best Essential Oils for Shingles Pain

You can Find Relief with these Essential Oils for Shingles Pain!

Finding the best essential oils for shingles pain relief can help give you reprieve from this very painful and discomforting disease.

Shingles also known as Herpes Zoster is caused by varicella-zoster – the same virus that causes chickenpox.

So if you have had chickenpox in the past, then you already have the shingles virus inside of you. And the virus will live in your nerve tissue for the rest of your life.

The virus normally stays dormant and causes no problem. However, it can become active again if your immune system is weakened due to stress, illness or any other factor. And this can cause you to develop shingles.

I had chickenpox when I was in elementary school and I can still remember how painful it was. So I know that I am susceptible to shingles…. I really pray I don’t!

Even though shingles most often affects those in their 50s and above, younger people are NOT immune to this disease.

My friend wasn’t even up to 40 when she got infected… to make matters worse, she was pregnant. The pain was quite unbearable and very discomforting, to say the least!

1. Melissa

Melissa EO also known as Lemon Balm fights shingles by inhibiting the spread of the virus. It helps to speed up the healing process and reduces the duration of the infection.

2. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot has antiviral properties that help to heal the blisters quicker. It also acts as an analgesic, thus helping to relieve the pain associated with the infection.

It is important to note that Bergamot is photosensitive. So, you need to be cautious and ensure you cover any part of your skin you apply the oil very well to prevent direct exposure to the sun.

3. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils and a must-have in every home. This is because it really works well for a lot of health issues.

Its soothing and calming properties help to reduce inflammation and redness associated with shingles and at the same time helps alleviate the pain.

It is also good for the skin as it helps to reduce redness and scaring.

Lavender is a relaxing and sleep inducing essential oil. So it helps you sleep better, thus making it possible for you to get the much needed rest as you fight this very painful infection.

4. Ravensara

Another anti-viral EO, Ravensara helps to fight inflammation and pain associated with the shingles virus.

Ravensara is one of the best essential oils for shingles because it doesn’t only help reduce pain but it is also very good for the skin especially in clearing skin infections.

5. Geranium

Geranium EO has anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective for relieving shingles pain. It is also one of the best essential oils for nerve pain.

6. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca)

Melaleuca (Tea tree oil) is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and antiseptic. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and pain associated with shingles. It is also effective for healing and moisturizing the skin.

7. Helichrysum

Great for healing the skin, helichrysum works well in alleviating itching, inflammation and pain associated with shingles. It has been found to be helpful in repairing nerve damage caused by shingles.

8. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint’s cooling properties are helpful in soothing inflammation and relieving the itching that occurs as the blisters begin to heal.

9. Manuka

The anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of Manuka make it a great essential oil for fighting the varicella-zoster virus and reducing the pain and discomfort associated with shingles.

If you have never used a certain essential oil it is important to do a skin patch test prior to topically using! See my sections on topical use and other essential oil safety concerns: