Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published May 19, 2023, Last updated May 19, 2023

Herpes Zoster or Shingles is a painful skin rash. A virus causes this infection. Incidentally, it is the same virus which causes chickenpox. The following 5 homeopathic medicines for herpes zoster are very effective –

1. Iris Versicolor
2. Merc Sol
3. Mezereum
4. Ranunculosis Bulbosis
5. Rhus Tox

Before we come to the detailed indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic medicines for Herpes Zoster or Shingles, let us understand a little bit more about the trouble.

What is Herpes Zoster or Shingles

As I have mentioned in the previous paragraph, Herpes Zoster or Shingles is a viral infection. This means it is contagious and can infect other people coming in contact with an infected person. Most of the people who get it have already been infected with the causative virus much earlier in their life in the form of chickenpox. The chickenpox may have occurred decades earlier. The virus remains dormant in the body for years. At a later stage, it becomes active due to weak immunity or another disease.

What causes Herpes Zoster

It is a viral disease. The Varicella Zoster virus causes herpes zoster. It is the same virus which causes chickenpox. Once the chickenpox subsides, the virus stays dormant in the nerve tissues near brain and spinal cord for years and sometimes decades. Whenever the virus gets a conducive atmosphere, it travels along the nerve fibers and again attacks the body. This time, it surfaces as Herpes Zoster or Shingles. Any emotional stress, use of strong antibiotics or immunosuppressants or any malignancy can trigger the onset of Shingles.

Symptoms of Herpes Zoster

The symptoms of herpes zoster relate mainly to the skin trouble that it causes though some systemic symptoms are also present. Fever, bodyaches, chills, headache are some of the common systemic symptoms in the disease. A characteristic painful skin rash is present. The rash is blister like in appearance. There is intense itching or burning in the skin and the affected nerve tissues. The skin is red around the rash. Watery fluid is present in the blisters. These blisters subsequently break open and then a scab forms.

One starts to feel pain in the skin area a few days before the rash appears. Itching, burning or stinging pain is common in such cases. Thereafter, the rash breaks out on the skin. Mostly, it affects one side of the body. Chest, abdomen and waist are the most common seats of infection. In some cases, it may involve arms and legs also. In 3-4 days the rash develops into fluid filled blisters. It takes around 10 days for these blisters to crust and then another week or 10 days for the skin to become clear again.

Complications of Herpes Zoster

Once the healing of the acute phase is over, some patients keep on complaining of burning, tingling or pain in the nerves for many weeks and months. This pain or burning sensation is present in the same area as the skin eruptions. Some patients even complain of numbness or itching of the involved area. This can persist for years though this happens only in a minority of the patients.

Is Herpes Zoster infectious?

Yes, it is an infectious disease and can spread from a patient to another apparently healthy person. As long as the rash remains on your skin, you are a likely source to spread the infection. Once the crusts have formed and the skin is dry, the chances of spread of infection whittle down.

Homeopathic treatment of Herpes Zoster

Homeopathy has a stellar result in the treatment of herpes zoster or shingles. Homeopathic medicines are very effective in the treatment of such viral disorders as shingles. These medicines work on your immunity and expedite the formation of antibodies against the attacking virus. Once enough antibodies are formed, the body is able to fight off the infection quickly.

5 best Homeopathic medicines for Herpes Zoster

A number of homeopathic medicines work very well for the treatment of Herpes Zoster. The exact selection of the right medicine for each particular patient depends upon the symptoms in each individual case. Having said that, I have found a few medicines to be more commonly indicated.  At the same time, these are also very effective in the treatment of shingles. Here is a list of the 5 best homeopathic medicines for shingles.

1. Iris Versicolor – Best Homeopathic medicine for Herpes Zoster associated with gastric troubles

2. Merc Sol – One of the best homeopathic medicines for shingles with increased sweating

3. Mezereum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Herpes Zoster with thick scabs

4. Ranunculus Bulbosus – One of the best homeopathic medicines for herpes  zoster with bluish vesicles

5. Rhus Tox – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Shingles with redness and swelling around the eruptions

Hereby, I am giving a brief description of the salient symptoms that point towards a particular remedy. There are many symptoms that one homeopathic medicine presents and also cures but the prominent ones point towards the particular remedy, which one needs to study further. So, here are the prominent symptoms of these 5 best homeopathic medicines for shingles.

1. Iris Versicolor – Best Homeopathic medicine for Herpes Zoster associated with gastric troubles

When the skin symptoms are present in association with other gastric symptoms in a patient, Iris Versicolor is one of the best homeopathic medicines for herpes zoster. The eruptions are pustular in character. There is nightly itching in the eruptions. The stomach and digestive system is deranged. The whole alimentary canal seems to burn. Intense nausea is also present.

2. Merc Sol – One of the best homeopathic medicines for shingles with increased sweating

When there is increased sweating along with the skin symptoms of shingles, Merc Sol is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Herpes Zoster. The increased sweating does not relieve the patient in any way. The itching and burning in the eruptions increase at night. This itching is worse from the warmth of the bed.

3. Mezereum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Herpes Zoster with thick scabs

When there is the formation of thick scabs on the eruptions, Mezereum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for herpes zoster. There are thick leathery crusts or scabs under which pus forms. Usually, the long bones of legs and arms are affected. The itching is worse from warmth of bed and also at night.

4. Ranunculus Bulbosus – One of the best homeopathic medicines for herpes with bluish vesicles

When there is formation of bluish vesicles, Ranunculus Bulbosus is one of the best homeopathic medicines for herpes. There is intense burning and itching, which is worse by any contact. There are blister like eruptions. All the symptoms are worse in cold air, damp weather and stormy weather.

5. Rhus Tox – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Shingles with redness and swelling around the eruptions

When there is redness and swelling around the herpetic eruptions, Rhus Tox is one of the best homeopathic medicines for shingles. Most of the cases indicating this remedy occur in cold, wet and rainy weather. There is intense itching. The burning and itching is worse during rest or when lying down.