Shingles is an extremely painful viral skin infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. Shingles infection emerges as a painful skin rash with a single stripe of blisters. The skin rash due to shingles can appear on either side of the body but never along the centre.
People who are affected by this viral skin infection can remain ill for a number of days. The painful shingles rash caused by the varicella zoster virus can last for periods ranging from one week to ten days. Although there is no known cure to treat shingles, there are numerous natural remedies and dietary modifications which can help to reduce the pain due to this viral infection. Listed below are some effectual dietary remedies to treat shingles.
Foods to Treat Shingles
Garlic
Garlic tops the list of dietary remedies to treat shingles. Garlic which is recognized as an all round health booster possesses powerful antiviral properties. It is also used as a natural antibiotic. To treat the painful symptoms associated with shingles individuals are advised to take raw garlic internally. Eating raw garlic not only aids in alleviating the symptoms of this viral skin infection but it also helps to delay the progression of this infection.People having shingles should incorporate garlic into their daily food preparation. For maximum benefit and to reduce the symptoms of this disease eat several cloves of raw garlic with some salt and virgin olive oil.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are excellent natural sources of vitamin C. Consuming vitamin C rich foods help to resolve the symptoms due to chronic recurring shingles within four days. Furthermore, eating vitamin C rich foods can also help to strengthen the immune system and heal the skin lesion due to shingles faster.So, eat plenty of vitamin C rich fruits like grapefruits, oranges, lemons and pineapple (to name a few) to heal shingles. However, consume vitamin C rich fruits judiciously as excessive consumption of citrus fruits can lead to diarrhea.
- Herbal Remedies for Shingles
- Herbal Remedies For Shingles Pain
- Drugs And Medications To Treat Shingles
Beans
People suffering from painful shingles infection are advised to eat to plenty of beans. Beans contain substantial amounts of the natural amino acid lysine. Lysine is an essential amino acid obtained by the body from certain foods like beans.Medical research has shown that eating lysine rich foods like beans can help to curtail the progression of this viral infection by preventing varicella zoster virus from spreading. Wax beans, navy beans, black beans and kidney beans are few examples of lysine rich legumes.
Beef Liver
Beef liver is an excellent source of vitamin B12. Consuming vitamin B12 rich foods is a time honored dietary remedy to treat shingles. Eating foods which are rich in vitamin B12 like beef liver can help to alleviate some of the nerve pain due to shingles infection.Detailed medical research has also shown that people who suffer from chronic shingles are twice as likely to be afflicted with this viral infection if there is marked decline in the levels of vitamin B12 in their system.
Cooked Spinach
Cooked spinach is a great dietary source of vitamin E. Vitamin E not only helps to reduce the chronic nerve pain due to shingles, but it also helps to alleviate other physical symptoms which are generally associated with this viral infection. People who are prone to suffer from recurrent bouts of shingles are advised to incorporate plenty of vitamin E rich foods like cooked spinach in their daily diet.
