If you have been looking around for natural home remedies that can help you do away with shingles then coconut oil is what you should try. Read on to find out how it works, benefits and how to use it for shingles pain and rash.
What is the link between coconut oil and shingles?
First and foremost, shingles are caused by a virus. The virus stays in the body in an inactive state. They come into play when the immune system is lowered. It has been studied and confirmed that the viruses are activated when the immune system is weakened.
Coconut oil has the ability to boost your immune system so as to give you the strength to fight against the shingles. Further, it has the ability to fight viruses by creating a very hostile environment for them and thus killing them.
The fatty acids that are found in the oil are similar to the skin of the shingle causing virus. In this regard, they are easily attracted to the virus and thus absorbed into it. Once absorbed, the oil begins to break up the shingle causing virus.
The medium chain fatty acids in the oil also make the membrane of the virus’s skin and make it disintegrate. In the long run, the membrane opens up and the virus is thus killed.[1]
Benefits-How is Coconut Oil good for Shingles?
First of all, the oil has anti-inflammatory properties that are necessary to reduce the swelling that occurs as a result of the shingles. Further, the oil reduces other associated symptoms.
Apart from that, the oil has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that help to do away with the infection.
The oil has been shown to coat the layer of the viruses and in the long run suffocate them and thus killing them. The oil finally helps to reduce the viral loads in the body.
The oil has also been shown to protect the skin from damage and scars that may appear as a result of the shingles infection. You should apply the oil as often as possible be able to reduce the infection.
The oil has also been found to cleanse the blood and reduce weight loss. Apart from that, the oil boosts digestion, because shingles come with loss of weight and poor digestion.
Ways to use Coconut Oil for Shingles
There are three ways in which the oil can be used to treat the shingles and they include:
- Topical application of the oil
- Ingestion of the oil
- Incorporate the oil in your time to time oil massage.
Ingestion
Coconut oil has a taste that may not be pleasant. In this regard, you would consider mixing the oil with other ingredients to make recipes.
There are no studies that have been conducted to determine the dosage of the oil, but about two to three tablespoons would be ideal.
The only thing that you should be cautious about is to ensure that the fat intake does not go beyond 35%. At first, the oil would be hard to begin using but you would find it easy to use in the subsequent usage.
Topical application of the oil
You should apply the oil to the skin affected by the shingles just the same way you apply lotion, by use of a thin layer. You ought to apply the oil immediately after getting out of the shower on a daily basis.
Massage
To use the oil for massage, you should warm up some oil and then combine it with camphor oil and some other essential oils. Deep massage of the oil will increase the blood circulation, bringing oxygen to the tissues and then speeding up the healing.[2]
How to use Coconut Oil for Shingles Pain & Rash
Shingles Pain Relief
According to a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology, coconut oil was found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties.
The reason for this is because it has high levels of lauric acid that has a direct impact on pain, by preventing production of compounds called prostaglandins that make you feel pain.
Further, there are studies that the oil has effectiveness that is equal to a pain medication known as indomethacin.
To use the oil, you should apply the oil to the affected area and the outcome is that the oil will improve and increase the blood supply and thus reduce the pain and swelling at that area.
It is because of this reason that the oil has been used as a natural remedy for pain that is associated with arthritis.
shingles rash fix
Coconut oil has been used and found to be a suitable remedy for the treatment of many skin remedies that include eczema, psoriasis and rashes. It has been used mainly in winters to give healing to the dry and chapped skin.
Compared to the other types of oils, the oil neither clogs the pores nor lead to any adverse reactions to your skin. The oil can be used both in babies and the adults.
Ensure that the oil that you use is virgin coconut oil as it completely has the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
You are also advised that when you notice any rash that get worse instead of healing, then you should get medical attention as soon as possible from a qualified medical professional.
If you have shingles on your face and near the eyes and nose, then it is better to see you doctor before you start using it.
When your baby is affected, apply the oil before bathing. After that, dress your infant in some cool and clothing material made of cotton.
You should avoid the use of sweaters and blankets especially during the times of winter. You should apply regularly so as to bring about faster healing.
Is virgin coconut oil the best for shingles? Why?
The oil is very useful and essential for shingles. However, it cannot be conclusively considered to be the best since it can be combined with other oils like the olive oil so as to give the most appropriate and appreciable outcome.
You can combine the oil with honey because it has some antibacterial properties and thus enhancing the effectiveness of the oil. Other ingredients that can be added for enhancement include apple cider vinegar and aloe vera.
The reason why oil is useful and stands out is because of the anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce the redness and any sores that are brought about by the shingles. It also cures the rashes that come with shingles infection.[3]
Compared to other fats which are long chained and must be broken down in the intestines, the oil is a medium chain fatty acid that can be absorbed without the help of bile salts that are very important in this regard.
When put on a comparison scale, the oil performs better compared to other essential oils in treatment of shingles.
The oil is broken down to compounds monolaurin and monocaprin. These two components are able to attach and then dissolve the outer layer of the virus membrane, spill the inner contents of the virus and then kill it at the end.
The same working mechanism is seen in its work against fungi and bacteria.[4]
An additional effect that makes the oil stand out is that it can bring down the symptoms and reduce the viral load that you may have.
Precautions & Safety
You should get the advice from your doctor before using the oil. An additional thing that makes the oil outstand is because it is able to bring down the symptoms and reduce the viral load that you may have.
The caution is that the oil may work for some skin and fail to work for you. You could realize some rashes when using and that is why it would be good to talk to your dermatologist before its use.
References
[1] http://www.naturalnews.com/026624_oil_coconut.html#
[2] https://www.painpathways.org/can-coconut-oil-reduce-pain/
[3] http://www.thevirgincoconutoil.com/articleitem.php?articleid=274
[4] https://sunwarrior.com/healthhub/coconut-oil-antiviral
