20 DIY Home Remedies For Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. This itchy skin rash turns to blisters as it spreads over the entire body. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.

Chickenpox usually lasts 7–10 days and passes through 3 distinct phases. During the first phase that lasts about 3 days, the skin breaks out in red bumps. For roughly 3 more days, those bumps fill with pus and turn into blisters. During the third stage, those blisters pop, drain, and form scabs.

Chickenpox can happen to people of any age, but it most commonly afflicts children under 12. Pregnant women and those with weak immune systems are also more prone to contract the illness. While the varicella zoster virus is the primary cause, the disease can also be spread through physical contact and inhalation.

The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get vaccinated. The disease usually runs its course and heals without medical treatment, but there are ways to make the symptoms more bearable. Ready to find out what they are? Let’s get started!

Home Remedies for Chickenpox:

How to cure chickenpox naturally? Try these natural, safe and cost affordable home remedies for chickenpox which gives long lasting results or relief.

1. Baking Soda for Chickenpox

Baking soda restores the skin’s acid/alkaline balance and proper pH levels, relieving the severe itching associated with chickenpox.chic

Process 1:

• Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water.
• Use this mixture to give the patient a sponge bath.
• Allow the solution to dry on the skin.
• Repeat regularly.

 Process 2:

• Mix ½ cup of baking soda into a warm bath.
• Have bath with that water.
• Note: You can also mix in normal water instead of warm water.

 2. Indian Lilac or Neem Leaves

Indian Lilac, or neem, or margosa is antiviral. It fights with the virus that cause chickenpox while relieving itching. Neem is always considered as magnificent herb that contains immunomodulatory, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Process:

• Fan the patient with neem fronds.
• Or Hang neem fronds around the patient’s bed.
• Or Add fresh neem leaves to the patient’s bathwater.
• Or Crush handful of fresh neem leaves, mix them with water to make a paste, and apply to chickenpox.
• Leave on 5 minutes, then rinse with water. Do not use this remedy on children

3. Honey

Honey is naturally antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It kills the virus that causes chickenpox while reducing itching, redness, and pain. It also prevent scars when applied regularly. Therefore, it is one of the best home remedies for chickenpox scars as well.

Process:

• Apply it to chickenpox in a thin layer.
• Leave it on 20-30 minutes and rinse with water.
• Repeat this process 3-4 times a day.

4. Carrot and Coriander

Carrots and coriander are rich in vitamins A and C and other nutrients needed to strengthen the immune system. You can use them in soups to treat the infection. Do you want chickenpox treatment at home? Try this remedy for chickenpox!

Process:

• Boil a pot of water and add 1 cup of chopped carrots and 1 ½ cups of coriander leaves.
• Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and strain.
• Drink once a day for a month.
• Note: You can also eat boiled carrots and coriander leaves

5. Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It relieves pain and itching while helping to combat the virus that causes chickenpox. It also helps prevent post-chickenpox scarring.

Process:

• Grind 2 cups of oatmeal into a fine powder.
• Stir into 2 liters of water and let sit 15 minutes.
• Pour oatmeal into cloth bag and tie tightly.
• Put bag into bathwater and swish around until bath becomes milky.
• Soak into bath water for 15 minutes to get relief from itching.
• Repeat regularly.
• Or You can directly add 2cups of oat meal powder in bath tub and soak for 15 minutes.

For better results, add the following essential oils to the oatmeal bath:

• 4 drops Lavender Oil
• 2 drops Tea Tree Oil
• 2 drops Naouli Oil
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile Oil
• 2 drops Clove Oil
• 2 drops Rosemary Oil

6. Brown Vinegar

Brown vinegar contains acetic acid that kills the virus that cause chickenpox. It also dries out blisters so they’ll go away faster

Process:

• Add 1 cup of brown vinegar to lukewarm bathwater.
• Mix well and soak for 10 minutes to heal lesions and prevent scars.
• Note: Instead of soaking you can directly take bath with that water.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is natural healing, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, and it heals and moisturizes skin to prevent scars.

Process:

• Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply the gel directly to chickenpox.
• Let it absorb and dry completely.
• Apply regularly to cure chickenpox.

8. Basil

Basil contains a anesthetic agent called eugenol, which relieves itching and irritation while killing virus that cause infection.

Process:

• Boil water and stir in a handful of fresh basil leaves.
• Reduce heat and let simmer 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let steep at least 10 minutes.
• Strain and store in refrigerator.
• Soak a washcloth in the basil-infused water and apply to chickenpox.
• Store the remaining water in refrigerator for further usage.
• Follow this once a day to treat chickenpox.

9. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a mineral compound that contains magnesium and sulfate, which relieve pain and inflammation.

Process 1:

• Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath.
• Mix it well until Epsom salt dissolved completely.
• Soak for 15 minutes then pat dry gently.
• Soak regularly until you get relief from chickenpox and its symptoms.

Process 2:

• Mix 2 cups of epsom salt into 1 gallon of warm water.
• Soak a clean cloth and wring excess water.
• Apply it to chickenpox and leave on until cool.
• Repeat several times a day to get rid of chickenpox.

10. Jasmine

Thai people have been using jasmine as a chickenpox remedy for centuries.

Process 1:

• Place jasmine tea bag in a cup and pour hot water.
• Let steep for 10 minutes and drink.
• Drink t his tea 2 – 4 times a day regularly.

Process 2:

• Grind dried jasmine into powder.
• Mix with 1 cup rice water.
• Add mixture to warm bath tub.
• Soak for ten minutes and gently pat dry your skin.
• Repeat regularly.

11. Thieves Oil Bath

Thieves oil is a blend of cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils—is antiseptic, antiviral, and antiviral. These oils kill the virus that cause chickenpox.

Process:

• Add 3 drops each of thieves oil, melaleuca oil, and lavender oil to ¼ cup of epsom salt.
• Let the oils absorb into the epsom salt for 30 minutes.
• Add the oil-infused epsom salt to a warm bath and soak 15 minutes.
• After soaking pat dry the skin with clean towel.
• Repeat daily.

12. Ginger

Ginger relieves itching.

Process 1:

• Boil 1 cup of water and stir in 1 teaspoon peeled and minced ginger root.
• Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, strain, and stir in 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice.
• Drink 2 to 3 times a day to prevent chickenpox.

Process 2:

• Add ¼ to ½ cup powdered ginger to a warm bath.
• Soak for at least 20 minutes.
• Pat dry the skin after bath.

13. Sandalwood Oil

Sandalwood oil and turmeric (also used in this process) are antiviral and antiviral. They helps kill the virus that cause chickenpox while relieving inflammation and itching.

Process:

• Mix 3-7 drops of sandalwood oil with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to make a paste.
• Apply paste to chickenpox and leave on 30 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• Apply regularly to treat chickenpox.
• Optional: replace sandalwood oil with vitamin E oil.

14. Herbal Teas

These herbal teas strengthen the immune system to help fight off chickenpox. They also function as mild sedatives, relieving pain, irritation, and itching. Choose one herb from the list, or mix two or three.

Herbs:

• Lemon Balm
• Echinacea
• John’s Wart
• Ginger
• Holy Basil
• Chamomile
• Marigold
• Burdock
• Pau d’Arco

Process:

• Boil a cup of water and stir in 1 tablespoon of your herb of choice.
• Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
• Strain and drink.
• Optional: Add lemon juice or honey or cinnamon powder as per your preference.
• Drink 3 times a day.

15. Marigolds

Marigold or calendula flowers are antiviral and anti-inflammatory. They kill the virus that cause chickenpox while reducing itching, swelling, and redness. They also stimulate the production of collagen, which helps heal skin faster.

Process:

• Add 2 tablespoons of marigold flowers and 1 teaspoon of witch hazel leaves to 1 cup of water.
• Let them soak overnight.
• In the morning, strain the water.
• Grind the soaked herbs to make a paste.
• Apply paste to chickenpox and leave on until dry.
• Rinse off with water.
• Repeat daily.

16. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is antiviral. It kills the virus that causes chickenpox. Do not apply it directly to skin undiluted.

Process 1:

• Mix 4 drops tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of any olive, almond, or coconut oil.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to chickenpox.
• Leave on 10 minutes, then wipe with clean wet cloth.
• Repeat regularly.
• Note: If you have more sensitive skin add more carrier oil and less tea tree oil.

Process 2:

• Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a warm bath water.
• Take a bath or soak for few minutes.

17. Homemade Anti-Itch Cream

The essential oils in this recipe have antiviral and anti-fungal properties that help kill the chickenpox virus and soothe skin.

Ingredients:

• Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
• Fine sea salt – 1 teaspoon
• Bentonite clay – 2 teaspoons
• Witch hazel – 1 tablespoon
• Lavender oil – 5 drops
• Tea tree oil – 2 drops
• Peppermint oil – 5 drops
• Ravensara oil – 3 drops
• Naouli oil – 2 drops
• Clove oil – 2 drops
• Rosemary oil – 1 drop

Process:

• Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
• Apply mixture to on the rashes and blisters to get relief from the itching.
• Repeat 3 times a day.

18. Green Peas

Green peas reduce itching and scars.

Process:

• Put 200 gms of green peas in a soup pot and cover them with water.
• Boil until peas are soft.
• Strain and set water aside.
• Crush peas into a paste.
• Apply paste to chickenpox.
• Leave on 60-90 minutes.
• Rinse with water.
• Now sponge with the water you set aside after boiling.
• Repeat regularly.

19. Vitamin D

A University of London study found a link between UV levels and the prevalence of the varicella zoster virus. The study shows that chickenpox is less common in tropical countries, where it is sunny year-round than it is in places with cold-dark winters. The sun’s rays strengthen the immune system and help kill the virus that causes chickenpox. Follow this Go outside for a few minutes in the morning and evening, when the sun’s light is less harsh, and take vitamin D supplements. But make sure that not to go for sun exposure if you have active lesions on the skin, as this will turn the chickenpox blisters into scars.

20. Diet

A healthy diet flushes toxins from the body and provides all the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes the immune system needs to fight the chickenpox virus.

• Eat plenty of raw fresh fruits and vegetables. They provide phyto-nutrients required to strengthen the immune system.
• Get plenty of vitamin A and vitamin C.
• Eat chicken soup and vegetable broth to strengthen your immune system.
• Make smoothies with kale, beet, broccoli, elderberries, cherries, blackberries, cabbage and drink regular to prevent the chickenpox and its scars.
• Limit your consumption of meat, breads, and dairy products other than yogurt.
• Avoid sweet, salty, spicy, greasy, and processed foods.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water, herbal tea, and organic fruit and vegetable juices a day to cleanse the body and boost the immune system.

Tips for Preventing and Treating Chickenpox:

• Avoid scratching. This causes infection and scarring. Wear gloves at night to prevent scratching. Also clip lip your nails.
• Use a cold compress to relieve itching and discomfort.
• Use calamine lotion on the spots.
• If you have chickenpox sores in your mouth, eat a soft, bland diet.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Stay home as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus.
• Always keep your skin clean by taking sponge baths once or twice a day to keep the scabs and blisters clean and free from infection.
• If you have mouth sores, gargle with saltwater (1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed in a cup of warm water) to relieve pain and prevent infection.
• If rashes become warm or painful, or if they spread to the eyes, or if they are accompanied by dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, tremors, stiff neck, worsening cough, shortness of breath, loss of muscle co-ordination, vomiting, or a fever greater than 103˚F (39.4˚C), contact a doctor immediately.
• If anyone in your home has a deficient immune system, or is under the age of 6 months, call a doctor.

These remedies are safe and do not cause side-effects. Try them all and let us know which ones worked best for you.

Rajee Datti

Hi everyone, this is Rajee!

I live the beautiful city of Baltimore, where my husband works.

I’m from India. I have been visiting India on and off for past few years and my mom was an inspiration for me to start this site. She has a wealth of knowledge on home remedies for a large number of health problems, and we grew up in an environment where frequent visits to the doctor just wasn’t logistically or financially feasible.

Despite this, she managed to raise a family of healthy kids, and my goal here at Home Remedies for Life is to pass on some of her knowledge of natural remedies.