Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Post Shingles Neuropathy

Just came across a research study that fascinates me. Geranium essential oil shown effective for relief of "postherpetic pain."



We have had numerous reports of success using Ravensara, diluted in Calophyllum inophyllum, to treat Shingles outbreaks. It seems to relieve both the pain and inflammation really quickly. But with Shingles, as with some other herpes conditions, the pain can come back later, with no sign of an outbreak. "Post Shingles Neuropathy." It would appear that the virus causing the original outbreak persists in the root of the nerve at the site of the initial outbreak.



Over the years various clients have emailed about blends they have used to treat Post Shingles Neuropathy, with varying degrees of success. Many blends featured the use of Helichrysum italicuum, our favorite oil for use in nerve pain. Prescription medications may ease the pain but seem to take an extended period of time to be effective.



One of my mentors recently sent me a copy of a research study, published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2003 indicating that Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens) was extremely effective in easing the pain of post-herbetic (post shingles) neuropathy. The essential oil was diluted in mineral oil, and applied at different dilutions, from 10% to neat, or undiluted.



The study indicates that the pain relief from the use of Geranium Oil is effective in a matter of minutes. The speed of pain relief seemed to be a function of the strength of the dilution; with undiluted geranium oil appearing to give the most rapid pain relief. The authors of the study did mention some side effects of the use of the neat oil, and, as always, we would recommend diluting it. For this specific application we would recommend diluting the essential oil in a much stronger than "normal" dilution, perhaps 25% or even up to 50% in extreme cases, if well tolerated.

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