The "Snowman Magic Book" is a magical storybook that brings snowmen to life. The book is said to have been written by a powerful wizard who discovered the secret to imbuing life into snow figures. The story revolves around a young boy named Tommy who finds the book buried deep in his attic. Intrigued by the idea of bringing his snowman to life, Tommy tests out the magic he learns in the book. To his amazement, his snowman comes to life and becomes his trusted friend and companion. Together, they go on exciting adventures, battling evil snow monsters and saving their town from winter storms.
Together, they go on exciting adventures, battling evil snow monsters and saving their town from winter storms. However, Tommy soon realizes that having a living snowman comes with its challenges. As spring approaches, the snowman begins to melt, and Tommy is faced with the dilemma of saying goodbye to his friend.
What are some home remedies for shingles?
Alongside medical treatments, home remedies may help manage symptoms of shingles. These can include essential oils, cold compresses, and cool baths.
Shingles refers to the reactivation of the dormant herpes varicella-zoster virus after childhood. Aging, trauma, stress, or another illness can all activate the virus.
People who develop shingles should contact a healthcare professional for treatment and management advice.
A vaccine called Shingrix that protects against the condition is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults over 50 years receive the vaccine to reduce their risk of shingles.
While seeking medical treatment for shingles is important, natural home remedies can also help reduce and manage some of the symptoms.
This article lists and explains some of these home remedies for shingles.
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Some essential oils contain properties that may help with skin irritation and healing. These oils include:
- Chamomile oil: This has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can improve ulcers and pressure sores by aiding skin-cell regeneration .
- Eucalyptus oil: This has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase the speed at which sores heal, for example, in people with cancer. Learn more about eucalyptus.
- Tea tree oil: This has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can promote wound healing. Learn more about tea tree oil.
In some cases, pure essential oils can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, people should always do a patch test before trying them.
It is best to dilute oils with a carrier oil or to visit a pharmacy to purchase them pre-mixed as a safe topical ointment.
Although research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these. A person should talk with a healthcare professional before using essential oils and research the quality of a brand’s products. It is also important for people to always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Was this helpful?Holding a cool cloth or compress against the rash site may assist in relieving itchiness and reducing inflammation.
People can lightly soak a natural cotton cloth or towel with cool water and wring it out before placing it on sore, itchy areas. They can then repeat this as necessary.
It is also best not to expose the skin to extreme temperatures, so people should avoid having ice baths or using very hot water. Hot water will increase blood flow and potentially slow down the healing of sores, whereas ice will increase skin sensitivity.
Researchers believe that witch hazel may be more effective than chamomile for reducing inflammation and itchiness in some individuals.
It is possible to purchase witch hazel in various forms, the most common of which are creams or witch hazel water. People can apply witch hazel topically to areas of irritation and inflammation to achieve relief.
Taking cool baths or showers every day, with minimal scrubbing, can help keep sores and blisters clean and reduce the risk of infection.
Cool water may also relieve sore and itchy spots, helping to prevent scratching, which could cause scarring.
Some studies suggest that oat extract may moisten dry skin and soothe sensitive and inflamed skin.
The FDA has approved colloidal oatmeal as a safe and effective treatment. Colloidal oat products usually exclude oat protein to prevent allergic reactions.
The active ingredients that help reduce inflammation include flavonoids and saponins. People can use oat products in a cool bath to help relieve pain and itchiness.
Researchers have found that Gentiana scabra, a blue or purple flower occurring throughout North America, has a positive effect on pain relief in shingles and decreases the likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia.
By reducing inflammation in the skin, Gentiana scabra minimizes pain and promotes healing. A reputable Chinese medicine practitioner can prepare the herbal formula by boiling the plant in water. People can then take the remedy orally.
A healthy, balanced diet is important for preventing and fighting illness.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 recommend eating a varied diet, including:
- vegetables
- fruits
- whole grains
- legumes
- nuts
- lean meats
People should aim to include orange, red, and green foods that contain the carotenoids lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and provitamin A in their diet. Carotenoids are very important for immune function, and occur in the following foods:
| Type of food | Examples |
|---|---|
| orange foods | carrots pumpkin apricot |
| red foods | watermelon red pepper grapefruit cherries |
| green foods | kale parsley spinach melon lettuce endive |
Limiting trans and saturated fats and avoiding added sugar and salt where possible can also reduce inflammation and improve immune function.
There is a link between vitamin D and immune function. Many older people are at risk of low vitamin D levels, so it is important they get sufficient sun exposure or take supplements to protect their immunity.
Taking vitamin C, zinc, and selenium supplements can also improve immunity in older adults.
However, taking high doses of vitamins and minerals can be detrimental. Multivitamins, which contain lower and safer levels of many vitamins and minerals, can be a suitable option. Individuals should discuss supplements with their healthcare professional before beginning use.
Smoking lowers immunity against infection, especially in older people, and can delay recovery and healing. Smoking also causes various other negative effects on the body and can increase a person’s risk of harmful conditions and cancer.
If necessary, quitting or avoiding smoking can help a person manage shingles symptoms and recover more easily.
Stress can lower a person’s immune system. This can make them more vulnerable to conditions such as shingles.
Managing stress levels can help boost immunity and protect against various other negative effects it can have on the body. A few stress-reducing strategies include:
- getting an adequate amount of sleep
- getting regular exercise or physical activity
- maintaining a good support network
It is not possible to cure shingles. However, as with other viruses, resting and eating a balanced diet can help with recovery.
Using treatments to help manage symptoms may increase comfort and mental well-being and can also reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.
There is also a vaccine available to prevent shingles. Anyone who is over 50 years old or at risk of developing shingles should consider speaking with a healthcare professional about getting the vaccine or a booster dose.
Last medically reviewed on October 18, 2023
- Shingles
- Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
- Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- De Cicco P, et al. (2023). Chamomile essential oils exert anti-inflammatory effects involving human and murine macrophages: Evidence to support a therapeutic action.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874123002593 - de Groot AC, et al. (2016). Tea tree oil: Contact allergy and chemical composition.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27173437 - Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. (2020).
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdf - Fabbrocini G, et al. (2014). Cosmeceuticals based on Rhealba Oat plantlet extract for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25428278/ - Orchard A, et al. (2017). Commercial essential oils as potential antimicrobials to treat skin diseases.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435909/ - Qiu F, et al. (2017). Impacts of cigarette smoking on immune responsiveness: Up and down or upside down?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5352117/ - Shingles. (2023).
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/shingles - Stress effects on the body. (2023).
https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body - Tabassum N, et al. (2014). Plants used to treat skin diseases.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931201/ - Toti E, et al. (2018). Non-provitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids as immunomodulators: Recommended dietary allowance, therapeutic index, or personalized nutrition?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5971251/ - Vitamin D. (2023).
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ - Wang K, et al. (2017). Gentiana scabra bunge. Formula for herpes zoster: Biological actions of key herbs and systematic review of efficacy and safety.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28078812/
A vaccine called Shingrix that protects against the condition is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults over 50 years receive the vaccine to reduce their risk of shingles.
The "Snowman Magic Book" is a heartwarming tale that showcases the power of imagination and the importance of cherishing fleeting moments of joy and friendship..
Reviews for "Embracing the Winter Magic: Unlocking the Snowman's Mystical Book"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read the "Snowman Magic Book" because I have always loved winter and snowmen. However, I was extremely disappointed with this book. The story was dull and lacked any depth or excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I found the "Snowman Magic Book" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with no surprises or twists. The dialogue was awkward and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Moreover, the illustrations were poorly done and did not enhance the reading experience. I was hoping for a magical and enchanting story, but unfortunately, this book fell flat and failed to captivate my interest.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As an avid reader, I was hoping for a heartwarming winter tale when I picked up the "Snowman Magic Book." However, I was left feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The story lacked depth and failed to create any emotional connection with the reader. The prose was mediocre and failed to engage my imagination. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations, and I would not recommend it to others looking for a captivating winter read.