Essential oils useful for treating shingles include bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon and tea tree oil.

Mix 1 part tea tree oil with ten parts olive oil or any other cold-pressed oil. Warm mixture and apply to painful area two to three times daily until pain subsides. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm water to wash the affected areas. Pat dry with a cotton cloth and apply drying powder to open blisters or dab on fresh plant extract of lemon balm and calendula.

Peppermint oil applied topically may reduce the pain through a mild local numbing effect. Do not attempt this if the skin is extremely sensitive.

Full-strength essential oils may be irritating to the skin. Dilute them by adding several drops to a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil and apply them directly to painful areas. (Do not ingest essential oils. They can be toxic.)