Powerful Natural Treatments & Home Remedies for Shingles…

Here’s the most potent (and best) natural treatment for shingles yet discovered, along with other home remedies for shingles nerve pain that are a sure-fire way to get rid of this awful health problem & it’s accompanying symptoms… for good! 

Article by Troy Sawyer (Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist, Health & Wellness Coach)

Updated May 10, 2019 — This post contains affiliate links  

Shingles is part of the herpes family (herpes zoster) and is basically a secondary outbreak of the chickenpox virus. It can lay dormant in the body for many years before finally breaking out and unleashing its horrible, painful blisters and itchy rash over the body. You normally get shingles from contracting the chickenpox virus, but believe it or not, the most popular way is actually from the chickenpox vaccination!

Amazing isn’t it?

The whole purpose of the vaccination is to supposedly stop you from contracting chickenpox, yet it has the opposite effect. And the problem is, those who get the vaccination strain of shingles end up with a much worse outbreak than those who just get an outbreak from the virus alone! You also need to be aware that if you do have shingles, you can pass the chickenpox virus onto someone who hasn’t had it. This of course, includes children and newborn babies. 2

Your Medical Options…

If you visit your doctor about treatment options for shingles, he or she will usually prescribe the anti-viral drug Acyclovir or painkillers or harmful pharmaceutical creams. The worst and most shocking of all prescriptions, however, is antidepressants. This treatment is pure craziness! Antidepressants cause all sorts of problems including severe mood swings and suicidal thoughts. You’ll find there are actually some websites out there openly advocating natural remedies for shingles, yet they’re also recommending you use these treatments as well (how are drugs even “natural”?) The problem is all pharmaceuticals come with unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects. They also lower your immune system and immune response, which is something you definitely don’t want when you have the herpes zoster virus (this just causes more outbreaks). In this instance, the cons far outweigh the pros and we strongly suggest you don’t go near any of these “conventional” treatments!

A Natural Treatment & Other Home Remedies for Shingles That Work Like Magic…

If you’ve spoken to your doctor already about shingles or you’ve done some of your own research, you’ll probably be under the impression that the herpes zoster virus isn’t actually curable, it’s only “treatable” and “manageable”. What’s more, you would have probably been told or read that once you have shingles, you have it for the rest of your life and there’s nothing you can do to get rid of it.

Well, this is pure baloney!

You can get rid of shingles, and we’re going to prove it to you in a minute with some solid evidence to back this up. Now even though we’re about to reveal the most powerful natural treatment for shingles yet discovered, in truth, you need to use more than one remedy if you want to rid yourself of this virus for good (attack it from different angles). But the good news is all of these remedies are easy to get a hold of and are easy to incorporate in your daily life.

So forget about what you’ve been told or read so far about shingles. Here’s the all-time best natural treatment for shingles, along with other home remedies that give amazing results…

Natural Cure for Shingles #1 – Olive Leaf Extract (OLE)…

Olive leaf extract is our number one recommendation for destroying the herpes zoster virus (for destroying all forms of the herpes virus in fact) and here’s why…

Back in 1969, the Upjohn pharmaceutical company (now Pfizer) became very interested in olive leaf extract and began doing a lot of research and laboratory studies into its therapeutic benefits. They employed a talented doctor by the name of Harold Renis, who became their head researcher. What Dr Renis discovered about olive leaf extract was amazing. He found that OLE had the potential to eradicate virtually every harmful virus, bacteria and protozoa on the face of the earth. In fact, he and his staff tested olive leaf against 3000 pathogens and it killed every one at an astounding rate! For shingles sufferers, the best news is that all forms of the herpes virus, including the herpes zoster virus, were easily eradicated with olive leaf extract. 8

So How Does Olive Leaf Extract Work on Shingles? 

Olive leaf extract contains a very powerful substance called Oleuropein, and this is what actually destroys the virus. It puts an unbreakable and impenetrable “force field” around the virus so it cannot move from cell to cell and continue to grow and replicate. 

Here’s the 3 main benefits of olive leaf extract for treating, and ultimately getting rid of shingles, according to the Olivus website…

• Interferes with critical amino acid production which is essential for viruses to grow and replicate. Has been shown to kill oral and genital herpes virus and herpes zoster virus (shingles/chicken pox).

• Has the ability to contain viral infection and/or spread by inactivating viruses or by preventing virus shedding, budding, or assembly at the cell membrane.

• Has the ability to directly penetrate infected cells and stop the symptoms of herpes by shutting down viral replication in male & female herpes and mild herpes simplex, zoster, type 1 and type 2. (Olivus) 

The French Also Discovered the Power of OLE for Eradicating Shingles…

23 years after Dr Renis’s discovery, the French came across the remarkable viral killer known as olive leaf extract. After exhaustive research French biologists… “Found that all of the herpes viruses were inhibited, killed, or cured by extracts from olive leaf”.

The final report they presented to the world was highly detailed. In fact, their findings were backed up by the citing of 28 references on the anti-viral qualities of Oleuropein. So this wasn’t some rinky-dink study. It was very in-depth and well documented. 3 

How Else Does OLE Keep the Herpes Zoster Virus Away?

Every herpes expert will agree that when the immune system becomes weak or impaired (stress is the #1 cause) this is the prime time when an outbreak will occur. The reason for this is simple… if your immune system is weak, it doesn’t have the firepower to fight off the virus (or any virus for that matter). In addition, if your immune response is low and you have other problems or infections going on in your body, your immune system will be busy fighting these and have nothing left to give to fight off the zoster virus.

Think of it this way… Your immune system is much like your bank account. There’s only so much to go around (spend) depending on what your balance is at the time. If your balance is low then there’s not going to much there to spend, but if you’ve got loads of cash in your account then you can spend whatever you like and not have to worry!

So your immune system is your bank account, so to speak. You must keep it topped up to the maximum level if you want to fight off all viruses, infection and disease. The beauty of olive leaf extract is it’s one of the best immune builders in existence. And once you get your immune system up to the “full” level, no virus, including the shingles virus, will be able to touch you!  

How Much OLE Do You Need To Take And For How Long?

Olive leaf extract comes in various potencies, from standard to super strength. We recommend you avoid the regular strengths altogether, and instead, go for the super strength varieties. To use OLE successfully for shingles, you need the most potent formula available and the standard varieties just aren’t strong enough to do the job. You must make sure the brand you buy has a PURE Oleuropein content of 25% or more (250 mg’s of pure oleuropein). If it contains added dry olive leaf powder then this is a bonus. For this reason, we recommend Olivus olive leaf extract to our clients. It’s the strongest olive leaf extract you’ll find anywhere in the world and works extremely well for shingles (and all of the herpes viruses). You can view some of their testimonials here if you’re interested… Olivus Olive Leaf MAX capsules. 

Note: Due to the popularity and high demand for the Olivus OLE capsules (OliveLeafMAX), this supplier does run out of stock quite regularly. Because of this we have had to look for another product that is as good (if not better) as what they are supplying. This brand is definitely it… Real European OLE Super Strength 25% Oleuropean. This olive leaf extract is extremely high quality and very high potency. You cannot go wrong taking either the Olivus or Real European OLE to treat and get rid of your shingles.

Dosage Recommendations…

Now when it comes to how much OLE you need to take, we suggest you go with the highest recommended amount listed on the bottle, which is usually anywhere between 3-6 capsules per day. Olive leaf extract is not toxic or harmful to the body in any way so you can safely do this.

So take (at minimum) the highest dosage listed by the manufacturer in divided amounts throughout the day for the first 6 months, then drop back to the recommended maintenance dose after this. You must also take OLE on an empty stomach at least 20 minutes before food for maximum effect. If you find that it makes you feel a bit queezy in the stomach to begin with then start off with the lowest recommended dose on the bottle and slowly build up to the highest amount within the first week or two. Olive leaf extract can cause a phenomenon known as Herxheimers reaction (detoxing reaction) so you should be aware of this… About Herxheimers Reaction and What to Expect. 

And in regards to how long you should take olive leaf extract for, our recommendation is… for good! Olive leaf extract is a potent “cure all” medicine and immune booster, so for this reason it’s a good idea to continue to take OLE indefinitely for overall good health. Of course, this would be a personal decision, but one we would highly recommend.

Extra Note: Olive leaf extract is also an excellent topical treatment for shingle lesions. Be sure to purchase some in tincture or powdered form (mix with a slight amount of oregano oil) and rub this directly onto any sores or blisters for some quick and welcome relief!   

Natural Treatment for Shingles #2 – Oregano Oil…

In test tube studies (invitro), oregano oil has been found to eradicate the herpes virus – including herpes zoster. This oil (the high quality oil) contains some very powerful antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Two phytochemicals in oregano oil, carvacol and thymol, are amongst some of the most potent microbial killers yet discovered. This is why oregano oil is so effective against HSV1 and HSV2, along with diseases such as cancer (oregano oil destroys the microbes that cause cancer cells to grow and multiply). Due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, oregano oil is also beneficial for helping relieve the awful nerve pain associated with shingles. 1

As with the olive leaf extract, for the oregano oil to work effectively, you must make sure you purchase the right type of oil and use it correctly. This is crucial as you will not benefit from the oregano oil and it will not destroy the virus unless you do. ONLY ever purchase the “super strength” 100% Mediterranean oregano oil. None of the others will work!

This is the brand we recommend to our clients… Zane Hellas Super Strength Oregano Oil. This oregano oil is not only very reasonably priced, it contains some of the highest levels of carvacol and thymol we’ve come across so far. In fact, the verified carvacrol content is up around 92%, which is astonishingly high and is one of the main reasons why this oregano oil works so well for shingles.  

Getting the Most Out of the OO…

To get the most benefit out of the oregano oil, be sure to follow these four steps to-the-letter…

First off, mix up a small batch of oregano oil and virgin coconut oil to apply externally to the base of the spine. This mixture should be strong enough so you feel a tingling sensation but not a burning sensation when applied. 3-4 drops of oregano oil added to a teaspoon of coconut oil is about the ratio you need. Once you have your mix, apply this to the bottom portion of the spine, from the tailbone to the top of the buttocks area (roughly 2-3 inch area). Leave on for as long as possible.

Secondly, add 4-5 drops of oregano oil to an 8 oz (minimum) glass of filtered water and drink down. Do this twice daily on an empty stomach.

Thirdly, mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with roughly one teaspoon of virgin coconut oil. Take this oil and hold under the tongue for 10-15 minutes. Make sure you dilute the oregano oil enough with coconut oil or it may burn the bottom of your mouth. Again, you should only feel a slight tingling, not a burning sensation. Be sure to repeat this twice daily if possible.

Finally, make sure you take one day off a week from the oregano oil to give your body a chance to rest. The oregano oil is a strong detoxifier so taking a break once a week will allow your body to recuperate and recharge.  

In addition, make sure you take the time to go through this list and follow all of the instructions and tips so you get the most out of this powerful shingles treatment… destroydiseases.com 

Natural Cure for Shingles #3 – Colloidal Silver… 

Colloidal silver works in a somewhat similar fashion as olive leaf extract. The positively charged ions bind to the protein structure surrounding the virus so it cannot continue to multiply unrestrained. And if the particles contained in the colloidal silver are small enough (ideally less than 6 nanometers), they penetrate the virus and attach themselves to the genetic substance contained within it. This further prevents the shingles virus from being able to grow and replicate – meaning the infection is quickly contained and quarantined. 4

The truth is, by combining colloidal silver with the olive leaf extract, oregano oil and BHT (see next treatment), you actually have one of the most powerful shingles destroyer combo’s known to man! (Or woman). In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more potent and effective treatment for the shingles virus anywhere. If you do we’d be interested to know.

According to Homeopath and colloidal silver expert, Dr Robert Scott Bell, to get your daily dose of colloidal silver, you must take a supplement that contains silver with at least 10 parts per million (particles at 6 nanometers or less). We know of only one colloidal silver brand on the market that not only fits this criteria, but goes even further to deliver the most powerful colloidal silver supplement you’ll ever come across (particles at 0.8 nanometers). It’s called Sovereign Silver. You can check it out here… Sovereign Silver Purest Colloids.

For dosages, take one teaspoon of colloidal silver (placed and held under the tongue for 30 seconds then swallowed) 5 times a day for 3 months. After this, take one teaspoon three times daily for a further 3 months. You can also apply colloidal silver topically on any lesions for extra fast healing and relief.  

Natural Treatment for Shingles #4 – BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)…  

A scientific paper published in the journal Science back in the 1980’s revealed the common food preservative BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) could prevent, treat and even destroy all forms of the herpes virus, including herpes zoster. In fact, this supplement works so astonishingly well that most herpes suffers report NO BREAKOUTS at all whilst taking BHT. And if you happen to have a breakout right now and start taking some BHT, it will be gone within a matter of days (3 days usually) and you won’t have to worry about any recurrences. 5

Physicist and herpes researcher, Gary Wade, said this in his article titled “Fighting Lipid Coated Viruses Such as Herpes Viruses With BHT”…

“An excellent example of a very effective anti-viral drug that is safe for the great majority of people, cheap, and has good side effects, which also has been approved by the FDA for use as a preservative throughout the American industrial food industry is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Honest competent researchers have known for many years now that BHT drastically reduces the ability / probability of a lipid coated virus infecting its target cells. Since roughly half of the serious virus diseases are associated with or caused by lipid-coated viruses, this is a rather important finding.  For example, in the great majority of people, all of the herpes family of viruses can be suppressed by a daily dose of 500 to 1,000 mg of BHT.”6

And researcher Ed Sharp said this in one of his articles…

“Inspired by early scientific reports on the antiviral activity of BHT, a number of people suffering from herpes began to experiment on themselves. As described in several books published a few years later, the BHT experimenters discovered that a daily dose of 250 to 1000 mg resulted in rapid recovery from herpes eruptions with no recurrences.”5 

Best Way to Take BHT…

To get the most out of BHT for shingles, you must combine it with the St John’s Wort herb. St John’s Wort contains a substance called hypericin, which significantly enhances the effectiveness of the BHT. BHT is also fat soluble so it needs to be taken with a healthy fat such as coconut oil.

You can purchase BHT in either capsule, powdered or granule form. We recommend the capsules…. BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Capsules. You’ll find they’re much easier to take and you know the exact amount you’re consuming each time. The important thing with taking BHT for the first time is that you begin with a low dose and then slowly increase the amount, so your body can get used to it. So start with 250 mg’s a day and stay with this amount for 3-4 days, then increase to 500 mg’s a day. Once again, stick with this amount for 3-4 days before increasing to 750 mg’s. After another 3-4 days increase again to the maximum recommended dose of 1000 mg’s a day. Stay on this for 6 months before dropping back to 500 mg’s a day for another 6 months. You can then continue to take 250 mg’s of BHT daily for as long as you wish.

The St John’s Wort needs to contain at least 0.3% standardized hypericin extract for it to work…  St John’s Wort Hypericin Capsules. St John’s Wort should be taken at a daily dose in the vicinity of 900 to 1500 mg’s in divided amounts. And of course, make sure you always take the St John’s Wort together with the BHT and organic virgin coconut oil (½ tablespoon) for maximum absorption and benefit.

Note: It’s recommended that you do not consume alcohol whilst taking BHT as the two don’t mix. BHT can also thin the blood (if you haven’t taken it before), which is why you should follow our directions and build up the dose slowly. This blood thinning is not detrimental or harmful to your health though and usually only occurs for the first couple of days while your body is getting used to it. Of course, if you’re currently taking any blood thinning medications, have liver problems, or blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia, you should check with your health care professional first before taking BHT. St John’s Wort is also not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers.   

Natural Cure for Shingles #5 – Lysine… 

The amino acid L-lysine is a potent remedy for shingles that’s been repeatedly shown in studies to relieve, and even completely alleviate the symptoms of the herpes virus. Here’s the results of one particular study…

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed 52 participants with a history of herpes flare-ups. While receiving 3g of L-lysine per day for 6 months, the treatment group experienced an average of 2.4 fewer herpes flare-ups than the placebo group – a huge difference! The lysine group’s flare-ups were also significantly less severe and healed much faster. 7

Vitamin C and zinc have also been found to be extremely beneficial in keeping all forms of the herpes virus away. And they have the added benefit of giving the immune system a powerful boost, which of course, helps shingles sufferers even more. You need to take high doses of these three nutrients for them to be effective so supplementation will be necessary. 1000 milligrams of lysine three times daily is required to get the virus under control, along with a minimum of 5000 milligrams of two-staged time release vitamin C a day and chelated or colloidal zinc. Once the virus is under control, cease taking the lysine as long term use at high doses can actually weaken the immune system. Instead, eat lysine rich foods such as free range eggs, fish, and organic fruits and vegetables, along with taking a wheat grass or barley grass supplement every day (wheat grass is naturally rich in L-lysine).

Natural Treatment for Shingles #6 – Hydrogen Peroxide…

This amazing substance is used both as an internal and external (topical) remedy. Hydrogen peroxide should definitely be your first topical remedy of choice if you have a shingles outbreak right now. HP is also a strong internal parasite cleanser and internal “oxygenator” (pH booster). Because the herpes zoster virus is a parasite, and you also need to boost your pH level (alkalize the body) to destroy the virus, hydrogen peroxide is definitely a worthy (and dirt cheap) addition to your daily treatment protocol. If you currently have any painful blisters simply dilute some 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide (such as this one) with distilled water (1 part HP to 11 parts water to make a 3% solution) and apply this directly to any sores or blisters with a cotton ball. Do this 3-4 times a day and watch those lesions heal and disappear faster than you’ve ever seen before! Be aware that the hydrogen peroxide will often bubble when you first apply it – this is normal so don’t be put off by it. Make sure you use the 35% grade and dilute as directed above so it doesn’t burn when you apply it to your blisters.  

For internal use, add 3 drops of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide to 8 oz of filtered water and drink down. Do this three times daily every day for a minimum period of 12 months. Or instead, you can use the famous Bill Munro hydrogen peroxide inhalation method using the 3% grade HP… Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation Method by Bill Munro. In addition to this, mix a capful of 35% hydrogen peroxide with distilled water at a ratio of 1 part HP to 11 parts water (becomes 3% solution) and gargle this every day after cleaning your teeth. Be sure to spit out afterwards and do not swallow any of the mixture (it will be full of toxins and bacteria). Bacteria and parasites live and breed in the mouth. Doing the HP gargle every day will destroy these unwanted pathogens, along with removing toxins and heavy metals from the mouth. This in turn enhances the assimilation and effectiveness of the food and supplements you’ll be consuming. You can read more about the benefits of hydrogen peroxide for treating all forms of the herpes family of viruses in this excellent book… The One-Minute Cure: The Secret to Healing Virtually All Diseases.

Natural Cure for Shingles #7 – Potent Herbs and Mushrooms…

Certain herbs are terrific remedies and healers for shingles that should definitely be included in your diet regimen. Astragalus, Cat’s claw, garlic, galangal, lapacho and pansy are all anti-viral in nature and will help immensely with the symptoms. Reishi mushrooms, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper are also anti-viral and really give the immune system a powerful boost. Then there’s cayenne pepper, cilantro, licorice and thyme, four herbs that have actually been found to fight all forms of the herpes virus.

So be sure to supplement with these and use them in your cooking as much as possible!

Natural Treatment for Shingles #8 – Manuka Honey…

Manuka honey is one of the little known and unsung remedies for the herpes zoster virus. It’s a potent anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection food that goes to work very quickly. In fact, it’s anti-microbial and wound healing benefits are unsurpassed and a recent clinical trial actually found that it can destroy over 250 strains of harmful bacteria. And three separate studies were also able to prove that natural honey and propolis (another bee product) are more effective at treating the herpes virus than the most common pharmaceutical treatment, Zovirax.

You can read about these studies in full here… Honey as a Herpes Treatment.  

Getting the Most Out of the Honey Remedy…

So there are two ways to effectively use honey as a shingles treatment. Firstly, as an external remedy…

When an outbreak occurs you simply smear the honey with a little bit of coconut oil over any lesions or sores and leave on for as long as possible (you can do this without harm even if the wounds are open and weeping). The honey and coconut oil work very well to relieve the awful itching as well.

The second way is the easiest…

You simply eat it! Honey is not only anti-viral, it also contains nitric oxide metabolites. New research has found that increasing nitric oxide levels in bodily fluids may help retard and even prevent viral replication. This of course is excellent news for shingles sufferers.

Just remember, Manuka honey is the most effective of all honeys so make sure you use this if you can. Raw natural honey is the next best option. Whatever you do though, do not use processed honey (what you find in your local supermarket) as this will actually make your shingles much worse. For best results, 1-2 tablespoons of Manuka honey should be consumed daily.  

Natural Cure for Shingles #9 – Topical Remedies…

If you have an outbreak of shingles right now, then you need some good topical remedies to give you pain relief while the internal treatments we’ve listed go to work. Here’s some of the best…

DMSO: DMSO works astonishingly well on shingles sores and quickly relieves the awful nerve pain. You’ll get almost immediate pain relief and the sores will heal much faster than if you leave them untreated. And it doesn’t matter if you use the DMSO at the beginning of a shingles breakout or during a full blown attack, it will still work very quickly and very effectively. Simply purchase the 70% DMSO solution in either cream, gel or liquid form and apply a small amount to the affected area 3 times a day. Do this for a period of 3-4 days and your shingles will be gone. If you decide to go with the 99.9% pharmaceutical grade, be sure to water it down to a 70% solution first before applying. In addition to this, add a little DMSO cream to the oregano oil (3-4 drops) and coconut oil mix that you apply topically to the base of the spine. DMSO helps penetrate the oregano oil deep into the ganglia nerve to destroy the virus. Try and get the DMSO with added aloe vera if you can as this helps prevent the skin from drying out. 9  

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a great remedy for shingles pain (especially nerve pain) and a virtual “cure all” topical treatment. Use a drop from the eye dropper that comes with the bottle and rub lightly on the infected area.

Lemon Balm: Lemon balm contains rosmarinic, caffeic and ferulic acid, the three main compounds that give this herb its stunning anti-viral properties. It also works very well on skin lesions caused from shingles. Buy the liquid drops and apply 3-4 times a day.

Aloe vera: You can never go wrong using aloe vera. The extracts from this terrific plant help with any skin problem, including shingle sores. Studies have found that aloe vera creams and gels are extremely effective at healing skin lesions caused from the herpes virus, along with helping to significantly reduce the time they take to heal.

Capsaicin cream: Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chilli peppers. It’s an effective topical treatment for shingles and relieves the pain and itchiness considerably. In one double-blind study, participants had to use either a capsaicin cream or a placebo cream for six weeks. After the term was up almost 80 percent of participants who used the capsaicin cream had much greater pain relief than the people who used the placebo cream. You can easily purchase capsaicin creams online or from your local drug store.

Colloidal oatmeal: Taking a warm, colloidal oatmeal bath is a very relaxing and soothing remedy for shingles. Just remember to dry yourself completely afterwards and throw any towels you use straight in the wash (never re-use them). To purchase colloidal oatmeal, go online or visit your local health food store.

Apple cider vinegar: ACV is another great remedy for shingles (in fact, it’s a great home remedy for just about any ailment!) It’s anti-viral in nature and helps to relieve the pain and discomfort considerably. Mix up a batch comprised of one cup of ACV to one gallon of water. Soak a wash cloth in this solution then use as a cold compress on the affected area. Also be sure to drink ACV every day for extra (internal) benefit. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of Manuka honey in a glass of warm filtered water and drink 20 minutes before each meal, three times a day. 

Epsom Salt and Baking Soda Bath: This is another terrific shingles nerve pain reliever that you can’t go wrong with. Taking a bath with some Epsom salt and baking soda will definitely bring some quick relief to your annoying symptoms. And they won’t just help to relieve the pain and itching either, they also help to bring the swelling down and heal any skin lesions. Throw half a cup of baking soda and one and a half cups of Epsom salt into a warm bath (not hot) and dissolve. Relax in this for as long as you like.

Natural Treatment for Shingles #10 – You Must Learn to Relax…

Yes, you’ve probably already been told this one but it’s worth reiterating. Stress puts the immune system under immense (and unnecessary) pressure. This lowers your immune response, and in turn, allows pathogens in. So you must find ways to relax. Meditation and yoga are two excellent ways to do this. They help keep your stress and anxiety levels down so your immune system doesn’t become overwhelmed and compromised. Exercise is also a great stress reliever, as long as you don’t overdo it. 30 to 40 minutes a day of regular moderate exercise will also do wonders for your overall health and longevity, so be sure to give this a go!

Natural Herpes Treatments You Need to Know About…

Well, that ends this article on the best natural treatments and home remedies for shingles. However, there is one final piece of the puzzle that you must adhere to if you want to be free of this virus for good… You must eat properly! (Clean eating). Certain foods will be damaging to your recovery while others will help speed up the process and get you back to 100% health, so it’s imperative that you take the time to read up on these. Click on the link below to go to our “natural herpes treatment” section and read about the importance of following a raw, clean eating, plant based diet. And at the same time, this article will give you a handy refresher and different perspective on some of the natural treatments and home remedies we’ve just discussed. 

CBD has become a craze but most people know little more about it than it comes from the hemp plant and it’s believed to be very good for your health. All types of brands are racing to get involved. CVS and Walgreens both recently announced plans to sell CBD products. Coca-Cola is said to be exploring the idea of adding CBD to their beverages. Even Oreos has jumped into the mix.

The potential of CBD is exciting for business owners and consumers alike. In the past few months, I’ve become involved in the space when I invested in Nature Box, a snack startup. Our line of CBD snacks have become one of the most popular snack of our subscription service. For consumers, CBD has the potential to be a great source of healing and daily wellness.

Yet for all the potential profits and healing that could come with CBD, there are still many questions about what CBD actually is, why its important and how legal it actually is. I was taken back when my team at NatureBox proposed a CBD snack. I thought CBD was a type of marijuana or something illiegal. I read everywhere online about it and got conflicting stories so I decided to set the CBD facts straight here.

Here’s a complete guide to the things you need to know about CBD right now.

1. THC gets you high, CBD doesn’t.

Despite what many people have written, no, CBD will not make you high. While both THC and CBD are cannabinoids, THC is the psycho-active compound that creates the “high” associated with marijuana. CBD has an entirely different effect on the body.

2. CBD oil is not the same as hemp oil

CBD oil is an oil that contains Cannabidiol. CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and usually combined with a base oil (often olive, coconut or MCT).

Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant and should not contain CBD, or any other cannabinoids. Hemp oil is associated with its own list of health benefits.

3. CBD is in a legal gray area

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp-derived products on a federal level. With regard to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), CBD oil from hemp is no longer a Schedule 1 controlled-substance, or drug. Per section 10113 of the Farm Bill, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC by weight.

However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not legalized CBD for sale as a supplement. The agency has stated it wants more information on CBD and time to consider how it might regulate production, marketing, labeling, distribution and dosage recommendations. I’ll update this as more laws are passed.

4. The FDA is becoming more involved

The FDA recently issued a statement from commissioner Scott Gottlieb  M.D., clarifying the next steps for evaluating the regulatory pathways for CBD. They’ve also scheduled a public hearing on May 31, 2019 and have made it easier for researchers to conduct studies on CBD. It’s clear that the FDA is waiting to assess more data before approving CBD.

5. CBD is safe and non-habit forming

While the FDA has not formally made statements for CBD’s safety, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided data, and stated a position, that pure CBD is safe for consumption.

6. There are two main methods for extracting CBD

Most CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the cannabis plant via solvent or heat extraction methods.

The first method, solvent extraction, uses solvents to separate the compounds from the plant. On the high end, CO2 (Carbon dioxide) is used as the solvent. On the low end, harsh chemicals (ethanol, butane, kerosene, etc) are used as the solvent. In the second method, steam is used to extract the oil in a gentle and effective way.

The extraction method directly impacts the quality of the oil you purchase. Steve Raack, an industry expert and CEO of Vitalibis, explains why. “Hemp is a natural, yet delicate, plant full of amazing elements,” said Raack. “When creating a premium, full spectrum oil, it’s essential to extract CBD, and other plant compounds, without causing damage during the process. If the cannabinoids or terpenes are destroyed or damaged, then the product will have less efficacy or will require added flavors to mask the taste.”

7. CBD is finding its way to consumers in many forms

As the hype around CBD increases, consumers are finding a wide variety of ways to consume it. The most common forms of CBD products include oils, tinctures, cosmetics, topical creams, gummies, chocolate, powder and off-the-shelf beverages. You might also come across food and beverage establishments adding CBD to cocktails, coffees and shakes.

8. The purported health benefits are remarkable

While additional research is underway, CBD is believed to help with anxiety, inflammation, headaches, head trauma, epilepsy, insomnia, arthritis, gut health, chronic and acute pain and a number of other health conditions. Athletes and performers are exploring CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory properties to aid in recovery while the medical community is even exploring the medicinal uses of CBD, including its potential as an anti-cancer solution.

While all of these potential remedies are exciting, it’s likely that additional studies need to be conducted on humans before the FDA will approve CBD as a supplement or medicine.

9. There’s a big difference between full spectrum and CBD isolate

CBD isolate is a term that describes a crystalline powder that contains only CBD. This form of CBD endures the most amount of processing and can be sold in products that include synthetic or natural flavor additives. Initial research from Israel indicates that the efficacy of CBD isolate falls along a bell curve, limiting its effectiveness at many dosage levels.

Full spectrum describes a plant oil that includes more than just the actual CBD itself. The additional compounds include other important cannabinoids, phytonutrients, chlorophyll, terpenes and flavonoids. Current research on full spectrum oil suggests that CBD with additional compounds creates an “entourage effect” that is more effective than CBD on its own.

10. Know what you’re buying

Since the FDA has not set standards for quality, content and marketing, it’s important that consumers research the products their buying. Yet industry experts suggest a few best practices.

11. People are giving CBD to their pets

It’s not hard to find anecdotal stories of CBD having a positive impact on dogs and ailments like separation anxiety, arthritis, join pain and aging. That said, it’s important to understand the benefits and precautions when giving CBD to your dog or pet.

12. Some cities are cracking down on CBD

Even though hemp CBD was legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill, some city governments and regulatory bodies are restricting some CBD distribution. The New York City Department of Health has cracked down on restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other food service establishments from adding CBD to food or beverages. “Restaurants in New York City are not permitted to add anything to food or drink that is not approved as safe to eat,” a department spokeswoman said.

It’s reasonable to expect that CBD will continue to flourish in 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill paved the way for businesses and consumers to get more involved. Projections for the industry, and projections from individual businesses, point to a robust industry unfolding before our eyes. Everyone will be watching the FDA to see how they proceed in regulating the market – and how states and cities will follow their guidance.

CBD might be in a legal gray area, yet there’s no question that the CBD market will be an exciting industry to watch in the next few years. These answers should help you better understand CBD from consumer, legal and entrepreneurial standpoints.

25 Healthy Snacks That Will Fuel Your Rides

Hungry between meals? These delicious options will keep you energized all day.

The days are growing longer, which means you’re often up earlier, out later, and may want to stock your bag or desk with some extra food to keep you going. Remembering to pack healthy snacks when you can hit the vending machine isn’t always easy, but that candy bar won’t keep you full for long. And eating unhealthy packaged treats day after day may add some unwanted pounds that could increase your risk of diabetes or stroke and mess up your training. Instead, stock your pantry with these healthy snack ideas that will power your miles and keep the afternoon slump at bay.

You can’t get a much better portable, all-natural snack than the trusty banana. It comes with its own packaging and is a good source of potassium for muscle function.

You should always be wary of granola bars, which tend to be high in sugar. With just 3 grams of sugar, these bite-sized KIND bars are made with a whole nut base (not granola) to give you a hit of protein, which will help you feel full and help your muscles recover post workout.

Toss one of these bars in your glove compartment, desk drawer, or gym bag for a quick snack made with simple ingredients. Each package contains two servings. 

Almond butter is an excellent source of quality protein and healthy fat. These packets are great portable snacks on their own, or you can serve them with baby carrots, a banana, or an apple. 

Thanks to simple and natural ingredients, this is the healthier (and organic) version of the vending machine cheese sandwich crackers. They also come in peanut butter. 

For a quick, sweet treat and a boost of energy, grab a small handful of your favorite dried fruit, like mango, banana chips, or pineapple.

High in vitamin C and K and resveratrol, grapes can help lower your risk of heart disease and boost your immune system. Pop them in the freezer overnight for a frozen treat, perfect for cooling down after a ride.

You can easily prepare your own trail mix with recipes from The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook but to make it a grab-and-go snack, try GourmetNut Power Up. The mix of dried fruit and mixed nuts is full of plant protein-power. 

Prepped veggies can go a long way when you’re hungry and trying to make smart snacking decisions. Slice up a bell pepper, high in fiber and vitamin C, and toss in a container or zip-top bag for on-the-go munching. These also go great with a side of hummus.

Beef jerky (or turkey jerky, if you prefer) is an excellent source of lean protein. Just a serving of Brooklyn Biltong has 15 grams of protein. Jerky is often laden with added sugar, but this brand has zero, making it a smart snacking choice.

This bar tastes like the perfect PB&J sandwich from childhood. All RX Bars are made with simple ingredients listed clearly on the front label and come in a variety of flavors that can satisfy any flavor craving. The high protein content makes them a great option for postride fuel.

Instead of grabbing a donut on your way out the door, which actually is better than eating nothing at all, reach for a hard-boiled egg. They’re easy to prepare the night before but travel well, so you can have a high-protein breakfast on the go.

Boost your vitamin C intake with this easy-to-pack snack. Clementines are easy to peel and make a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. Plus, the small size makes them a no-brainer to stash in your lunchbox or gym bag.

When done right—without the loads of butter and salt—popcorn can be a healthy snack. Try this variety, sprinkled with Himalayan pink sea salt. (Spoiler: That’s not a healthier kind of salt, but it does look pretty and feels fancy.)

Keep a family-size container of nuts—cashews, almonds, peanuts—at your desk or in your car for a heart-healthy, filling snack. Stay away from the honey roasted and salted varieties, which can add a lot of sugar and salt to your snack.

This snack with a satisfying crunch can be eaten on its own or paired with nut butter or hummus. It’s also a great way to get vitamin K and potassium, even if you’re not quite ready to jump on the celery juice craze.

You can buy fresh edamame and shell them yourself or buy frozen shelled edamame and thaw before you have to grab ‘n go. These soybeans are high in plant protein and fiber.

[Build a killer midsection in the kitchen for powerful, effortless miles on the road with Eat for Abs!]

Though watermelon will take a bit of prep time (just slicing), the result is a refreshing snack. Reach for it before or after your ride for a hydrating boost of antioxidants and vitamins.

Pistachios are are high in fiber and antioxidants, and can boost eye, skin, and heart health. Buy them in-shell (and sans salt), and you’ll avoid overeating by taking the time to shell each one.

Cheese is an excellent source of protein and satiating fat—choose the full-fat variety for a filling snack. Most cheese sticks are fewer than 100 calories and can help fight off hunger until your next meal.

Nursing and midwifery numbers are at an all-time high.

A report, published today by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, reveals that nearly a third of nurses are leaving the profession due to stress or declining mental health.

‘The NMC Register’ data report explores the numbers total number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates joining and leaving the register between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019.

While the report reveals an overall increase in the total number of registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates, healthcare leaders warn it also highlights a number of major concerns.

Stress, declining mental health and poor staffing levels were cited amongst the top reasons for quitting the profession. News that comes only a week after official figures revealed hundreds of nurses have taken their own lives in just seven years.

The report also shows a continued decline in the total number of EU nurses, with over half saying Brexit is a contributing factor for leaving.

‘The dam is starting to burst’.

Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCN, said: “Any boost to the register is good news but looking behind the headlines raises further concerns.

“Politicians should be alarmed by the finding that almost one in three quit nursing because of intolerable pressure. They have abused the goodwill of nurses for too long and that dam is starting to burst.

“The modest increases are not of the scale or kind needed to meet demand and the workforce crisis isn’t abating. It is inappropriate to rely on a steady stream of nurses from beyond the EU, which seems to be the plan in England in particular.

“The official figures reveal a big net loss in European nurses, with fears over Brexit cited as the main reason for leaving and partly driving efforts to recruit from even further afield.

“Every country of the UK needs a serious strategy for the domestic workforce to recruit, train and retain a new generation of nurses and have accountability set in law.”

‘EU nurses feel they’ll be better off elsewhere’.

Sara Gorton, UNISON’s Head of Health, said:  “The referendum result has made many EU nationals feel unwelcome. It’s no surprise nurses and midwives think they’ll be better off elsewhere. Not enough has been done to reassure European workers that they’ll have rights, jobs and a future after Brexit.

“The small rise in the number of home-grown nurses is heading in the right direction, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed.

“Without proper funding and bold new ideas, experienced professionals from within the UK and across Europe will continue to leave, putting further pressure on the struggling health service.

“The government should be investing in large-scale apprenticeship programmes to train up existing NHS staff who can’t afford hefty study fees. People who know the NHS already would make great nurses and are more likely to stick around.”

‘Another warning shot’.

Commenting on the report, Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said: “Nurses, midwives and nursing associates make an enormous contribution to the health and wellbeing of millions of people each year so I’m delighted to see such an increase in those joining our register.

“It’s encouraging to know this is being driven by both UK trained and overseas professionals. It’s clear the changes we’ve introduced – to make it more straightforward for those people with the right skills and knowledge to come and work here from abroad – are making a real difference.

“However, we only have to look at the well documented concerns around high vacancy and turnover rates that exist right across health and social care to know there’s a long way to go before we have all the people we need to ensure the best and safest care for everyone.

“And while there has been a drop in the number of people leaving the register, our survey fires yet another warning shot – that the pressures nurses and midwives face are real and must be taken seriously if we are to properly attract, support and retain the workforce that we need now, and for the future.”

Pharmaceuticals are taking over the judgements of judges and parents.  Under the law you have no choice for treatment for your child.  In many other countries you and your doctors can choose any alternative treatment for cancer.  In fact it is proven the chemo is not best treatment for cancer.  If you want more information about treatments you will need to fly out of America.  However, here is a good place to start, https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/.

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) – A 3-year-old cancer patient must undergo chemotherapy over the next 28 days despite the wishes of his parents, a Tampa judge ruled Wednesday afternoon. But she did not make a decision about treatment options after that.

The ruling marks the latest twist in the case of Noah McAdams, who was was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia back in April.  After two rounds of chemotherapy, his parents Joshua McAdams and Taylor Bland decided they wanted to try a more natural, holistic approach.

When they failed to show up for a chemo appointment at All Children’s Hospital on April 22, authorities tracked them down in Kentucky and brought the family back.  Days later, a Tampa judge ordered temporary custody to Noah’s maternal grandmother.

Exam season is here – whether it’s GCSEs, A-Levels, a degree or vocation a qualification you’re studying for, it’s a nerve-wracking time with lots of pressure to perform.

As well as the impending experience of the exams themselves, there’s a revision schedule to stick to, lack of sleep, and not enough time to eat.

Dr Paul Innerd, University of Sunderland

But one expert is warning students not to forget to feed their bodies as well as their minds this exam season – and make the most of the chance to give themselves and advantage in doing so.

Dr Paul Innerd is a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Sunderland.

Here he gives his views on the best nutrition to help see young people and students through this tough period.

Start with water. Make sure you get enough. You are roughly 70% water, so it’s important that you drink it. In fact, the brain is a mass of water, fat and some protein. Water allows brain functions to take place, such as thinking and memory.

Berries such as blueberries are packed with antioxidants which are great for overall health and alertness. Studies have found that berries are brain boosters and improve brain function, memory and focus. Pop some berries on your cereal to give your health a kick.

Fatty fish

Fats are essential for good health and brain power. Fatty fish such as salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly one called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA forms a major building block of brain development in children.

Make your peanut butter the natural sugar free variety and you’ll get the benefits of those essential fats. Nuts also contain protein which is the nutrient responsible for growth and development of the brain and body.

Dark chocolate

It’s ok to enjoy chocolate now and then, and it’s even better to make it the dark kind. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which helps you relax and causes the body to release of serotonin, a hormone which improves your mood

By now, you’ve probably been taught to gird your sun-starved skin for battle with cancer-causing cosmic rays every time you go outside. Choose a spray, choose a lotion, but by heavens, choose something! Legions of doctors, parents, and YouTube beauty influencers are unanimous on this point. But with sunscreen application evolving from a week or two at the beach every year to a constant daily slather, US health regulators want to know more about how all those photoprotective chemicals interact with people’s skin.

If they sink into tissues and get absorbed into the bloodstream, that could be a problem. Then, like other over-the-counter drugs the Food and Drug Administration oversees, sunscreens should be studied to make sure they don’t mess up people’s hormones, affect their reproductive systems, or cause cancer. Such safety testing has never been done on the active ingredients in sunscreen, because those chemicals were approved decades ago, before anyone suspected they could be absorbed into the body. Now we know it’s more than just a suspicion.

Today, researchers at the FDA revealed the results of a small clinical trial designed to test how four of the most common sun-filtering molecules on the market behave after they’ve been sprayed on and rubbed in. The results, published in the journal JAMA, show that contrary to what sunscreen manufacturers have been saying, UV-blocking chemicals do seep into circulation. Now, don’t panic and toss your tubes. There’s no evidence yet that they’re doing anything harmful inside the body. But the revelation will have serious impacts on sunscreen manufacturers going forward, and may change what options you’ll find on drugstore shelves before the year is out.

“Everyone had always thought that because these are intended to work on the surface of the skin that they wouldn’t be absorbed, but they are,” says Theresa Michele, director of the FDA’s division of nonprescription drug products, and co-author on the FDA-funded study. Her team found that it took only a few hours after the application of sunscreen for the photoprotective chemicals to infiltrate the bloodstream and shoot up to concentrations above the FDA’s toxicology threshold that triggers further safety testing.

The researchers saw the same patterns in all 24 of the volunteers they recruited—12 men and 12 women, who were randomly assigned to apply one of four commercially available sunscreens: two sprays, a lotion, and a cream. The participants applied their potions according to recommended labeling; four times a day for four days to 75 percent of their bodies, roughly the amount of skin you’d be showing in a bathing suit. For those four days, and three days after, the researchers collected blood every few hours to be analyzed for the presence of avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule, 30 samples in all. They discovered that while it only took a few hours for the UV-blocking chemicals to spike over the target, for three of the four formulations, those levels remained elevated through the end of the study—three days after participants had ceased spraying and smearing. Only the cream users saw their chemical concentrations tail off sooner.

The fact that these sun-filtering molecules do penetrate into the circulation system does not on its own mean that such ingredients are unsafe. “There might be nothing, and that would be great,” says Kanade Shinkai, a dermatologist at UC San Francisco, and editor in chief of JAMA Dermatology. “But the problem is that we just don’t know.” The bottom line, she says, is that although the evidence is irrefutable that the sun causes skin cancer, scientists know a lot less about sunscreen chemicals’ relative risks and benefits.

To understand what, if any, effects such chemicals have on internal tissues will take more research. Particularly urgent is learning more about long-term exposure and how absorption rates differ in infants and children, with their smaller ratio of body surface to overall size. Then there’s the importance of real-world data; for example, assessing sunscreen’s effects on a hot, sandy beach, instead of in a clinical lab’s temperature- and humidity-controlled confines. Yet the trial’s results underscore the need for more data on sunscreen absorption, as the FDA has long demanded from manufacturers, without success.

The history of sunscreen regulation is long and contentious, but the core of the conflict boils down to the fact that the US treats sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug, and the rest of the world considers it a cosmetic. When new research emerged in the late ’90s and early 2000s suggesting that UV-blocking ingredients in chemical-based sunscreens could be absorbed into the human body, the agency began to ask any companies bringing new molecules to market to include such data in their safety studies. Those corporations balked and development stalled in the US. Meanwhile, Europe added at least eight new, more advanced photoprotective filters to its sun-shielding arsenal.

In an effort to end the stalemate, Congress passed the Sunscreen Innovation Act in 2015. As part of that effort, in February the Food and Drug Administration announced it was overhauling the way the agency regulates sunscreens, to “keep pace with evolving science.” Chief among the proposed changes was subjecting the 16 UV-filtering chemicals currently on the US market to the same scrutiny as new molecules.

To prove they’re safe and effective, FDA is now asking US sunscreen makers to submit additional data measuring how these ingredients absorb into the bloodstream. If they don’t absorb above the toxicological threshold, no problem. But if they do, FDA wants to see more tests—assessing cancer risk and harm to the reproductive and endocrine systems, standard drug safety stuff. The idea was to make it easier for new ingredients to compete against the legacy ones that hadn’t been assessed by the FDA in decades.

But the testing requirements could also end up giving Americans fewer choices, at least in the short run. If US manufacturers fail to conduct absorption studies and provide that data to the FDA by the time the agency’s new rules are finalized in November, it would mean (in theory) the removal of those products from shelves. Only two ingredients so far have been ruled safe and effective—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The FDA has said they will grant deferrals to companies willing to commit to undertaking the necessary studies for the remaining 12 molecules in question.

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Spring is when opportunity surrounds us: Plants are blooming and coming into their fullness. Snowmelt and rains bring streams and rivers rushing through their paths. New life is everywhere. Spring is a powerful time to tune in to the nature’s abundance and invite opportunity into your life. Whether that means an unexpected twist in your work life that brings in more wealth, or a new and enlivening relationship that fills your spirit, or even a chance to travel and experience new things, we would all do well to open ourselves to the unknown pleasures the universe has in store for us.

However, we first must do the work of readying ourselves to receive these opportunities. Cultivating abundance, clearing away busy minds and schedules, focusing on gratitude, and committing to curiosity are all key to opening the window that will allow opportunity to shine in. This work is not hard, but it is intentional. Here are four ways to invite opportunity into your life during this season of growth:

1. Cultivate an abundance mindset.

For many of us, having enough never feels like enough because we live with a scarcity mindset—the rug could come out from under us at any second, so we have to hustle and overproduce in order to stay ahead. If you live your life in constant worry that the well is about to run dry, though, you may create a self-fulfilling prophecy (and even if you don’t, you’ll certainly produce a lot of unnecessary anxiety). Instead, start each morning with a mantra that cultivates an abundance mindset. Tell yourself that you live in a world of abundance, that good things are coming your way and that you welcome opportunity with open arms.

2. Clear your mind and your schedule.

We live in a culture that glorifies busy and productive and leaves little room for quiet exploration of self. But those moments of solitude are exactly what you need; if you are hyper-focused on staying busy, opportunities will pass you by. You must let go of the scarcity mindset that tells you constant motion is the only way to find peace and security. You need breathing room to explore what you really want, and clearing your mind and opening your schedule will allow you to make room for the opportunity you most desire into your life.

3. Say thank you.

You might think of thank you notes as something reserved for post-party gratitude, but they can actually be a great way to foster connection. Thank people for sharing their time, their expertise and their experience with you, whether with a handwritten note or an email. Thank people who have influenced your growth. Thank people who have shown up for you during hard times in your life. The act of writing down your gratitude and literally sending it out into the world will help invite opportunity your way. Not only does it remind you to live in a state of gratitude and abundance, but showing your appreciation and interest in others will bring both giver and receiver a tremendous boost in happiness.

4. Get curious.

Do you remember the curiosity you once had in childhood? Do you remember how much your world opened up thanks to that curiosity? A lot. So why do we stop being curious about our world and ourselves? Opportunity loves growth, so if you are doing the same things, thinking about the same things and pursuing the same things day after day, opportunity isn’t likely to come knocking. Allow yourself room to be curious about what truly interests you, and lean into learning more about yourself. It is our job as humans to grow and seek knowledge, and in doing so, we will attract opportunity into our lives.

Gemma Hartley is a full-time freelance writer living in Reno, Nevada. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, CNBC, Glamour, Women’s Health, Redbook and more.

Whether it’s fresh from the garden or in a flower pot on the counter, the taste and smell of basil is always warm and welcoming.  However, keeping your plant looking healthy can be a challenge when you’re always picking at its leaves.  Here’s how to harvest basil and still leave your plant healthy and productive.

If you’re new to the world of growing basil, you might not be too sure if you know how to harvest basil the right way.   You may tend to feel like you’re kind of injuring your plant a little each time you harvest a few amazingly aromatic leaves from it.  You may only decide to harvest sparingly and try to let your plant grow as big, tall, and strong as possible for as long as possible, only to find that it eventually shoots off flowers and dies, or just fizzles out and shrivels up. What’s up with that?

Well, the truth is, that basil plants actually do better the more that you harvest their leaves. So trimming and pinching off a few, or many, leaves here and there will only reward you with more and more, and will keep your plant healthy and thriving as well.

Don’t just go plucking the leaves willy-nilly though! Let me show you just how to do your little basil harvest so you get the best results!

How to Harvest Basil

OK, so start off with a healthy, bushy basil plant that really looks like it’s just dying to be eaten.

Yum yum yum! I just can’t get enough fresh basil in my life, especially during the summer months! I was in the mood for that fresh garden flavor the other day, but unfortunately our garden is nowhere near ready for harvesting, so I grabbed this little plant from the produce section of my grocery store. It’s been quite happy next to my kitchen window!

The key with basil plants is that you want to encourage them to be low and bushy rather than tall and spindly, but they have a tendency to get tall and spindly if you just leave them to grow without any kind of pruning or harvesting.

Get to Know Your Plant

You can see my plant had a few shoots that were growing straight up and getting pretty skinny and lacking in the leaf department.

When you see your plant looking like this, you want to start harvesting from the top down, rather than just plucking the biggest leaves from around the perimeter of the plant. Just go ahead and harvest a whole basil branch at a time, stem and all! Just make sure you leave a couple of inches of steam at the bottom of the plant and always snip the stem about a 1/4 inch above a node, which is the place where a set of leaves or stems meet up with the main stem.

Once you’ve done all your stem-snipping, go ahead and pinch  off any really big leaves that are remaining on the plant, those are ready to eat too!

Here’s how my plant looked after I was done harvesting.

You can see that a good 2/3 of the bulk of the plant is gone, but there are still plenty of little baby leaves left to grow. Give your plant a good drink of water at this point and let it get back to growing!

Let it Grow

It’s only been a few days since my harvest, but already I can see the new leaves growing quite a bit and really enjoying all the extra energy they have available to them now that all of the bigger leaves are gone. Within a couple of weeks, I’ll be ready for another big basil harvest!

So that’s all it takes to be able to enjoy fresh basil off of a single plant all year long!  Now you can feel confident you know how to harvest basil and still have a healthy, productive plant.

Do you have any clever basil-growing tips that I need to know about before we really get deep into the summertime basil season?