Shingles natural treatment
The natural treatment of shingles caused by Herpes Zoster and postherpetic neuralgia is based on acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas.
Herpes Zoster is caused by the Herpes Zoster virus, and it is crucial to detect it as early as possible to shorten the duration of pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. As we age, the immune system weakens, making it more common in older adults or younger patients with a compromised immune system.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition typically defined as persistent pain lasting more than 90 days after the onset of the disease.
Acupuncture for Herpes Zoster
Scientific studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is effective in treating Herpes Zoster by:
- Quickly reducing pain in patients
- Shortening the duration of treatment
- Lowering the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials have confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in reducing pain intensity in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
Chinese Herbal Formulas for Herpes Zoster
Chinese herbal formulas have also shown effectiveness in treating Herpes Zoster:
- Panax notoginseng has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.
- Gentiana scabra inhibits inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2. Its anti-inflammatory action helps relieve acute pain and skin lesions.
- Scutellaria baicalensis contains flavonoids like baicalin and baicalein, which reduce the production of inflammatory factors, supporting immune modulation.
- Gardenia jasminoides has anti-inflammatory properties.
Herbal formulas combining these plants have been shown to shorten pain relief time, improve lesion resolution, and significantly reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. They have also demonstrated higher cure rates and better therapeutic efficacy than conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
Scientific Studies on Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Herpes Zoster
- Chen J, Luo C et al. (2024). A bibliometric analysis and visualization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. Skin Res Technol. 2024 Jun;30(6):e13815. doi: 10.1111/srt.13815. PMID: 38924142; PMCID: PMC11197023.
- Wu W, Yang D et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of Pien Tze Huang capsules in patients with herpes zoster: A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2024 May;127:155453. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155453. Epub 2024 Feb 17. PMID: 38452692.
- Qi T, Lan Het al. (2022). Systematic review and meta-analysis: the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of herpes zoster. Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Feb;11(2):756-765. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-109. PMID: 35249352.
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