The pain often lasts from two to four weeks, but in some cases, it can last for months. If it does, you ve moved from shingles to a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia . Once it gets loose, there s no cure for the varicella-zoster virus, but there may be ways to slow it down or limit damage during the outbreak. In order to hasten healing, treatment should be started within two to three days of the first appearance of the small blisters. In addition, you may be able to boost your immunity and help fight the virus with some herbs, says Dr. Warnock.
Herbalists believe that astragalus and echinacea are most effective.
Although you can take an herbal tincture, he recommends taking one 300-milligram capsule of standardized extract three times a day. If you use capsules of dried echinacea root, he recommends 2,000 milligrams three times a day. Since echinacea is also safe at higher doses, you can take even more than the specified dose if you find it effective. I d do a high dose for a short period just a few days. Support from Astragalus While echinacea speeds white blood cells to the infection site, you can add astragalus to help with the healing process.