Several years ago, I started getting very painful, burn-like boils on the back of my neck and chest. It was a strange intense sensation that began deep in the tissues of my skin, accompanied by relentless itching. Then, it escalated to feeling like several dozen bees stinging me all at once as the boils came closer to the surface. Needless to say, the sores were extremely painful and very red.

I went to a doctor to see what was going on. He explained to me that I had shingles, a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. He further clarified that after a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nervous system. Years later, it can be reactivated by factors like disease, immune deficiency, or stress, and lead to shingles.

I was given a prescription, but without the promise it would heal quickly. When you’re told it could still take several weeks before you’re free from shingles, it is very disheartening. It felt like an endless battle with little relief in sight.

Two years ago, a friend of mine, John, told me he had shingles. I said, “Come on over, and I’ll give you some essential oils that may help ease the pain.” John was reluctant but eventually decided to give it a try. I consulted my Modern Essentials book and discovered that oils like melaleuca, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, geranium, and bergamot have been studied for their potential to help with shingles. I combined five drops of each oil in a roller bottle and diluted the mixture with fractionated coconut oil. John applied the oil blend to his shingles, and just four days later, his suffering was making a dramatic turn for the better.

Reflecting on my own experience with shingles, I wish I had known then about the natural remedies that could ease the pain. The journey of learning and sharing has become so rewarding. I never get tired of hearing stories of how essential oils may help improve someone’s quality of life, and I love seeing firsthand the profound influence they can have on others.