Natural Cures for Herpes
Herpes has no cure, and there’s no vaccination or immunity against it. Although symptoms disappear, the virus remains contagious and lies dormant in nerve cells, reactivating in response to stress, sunlight, or other causes. It’s a secret you can usually hide: Up to 70 percent of those infected show now symptoms. On the other hand, if you’re among the non-monogamous sexually active, there’s no telling which potential partner might have given you herpes. Plus you certainly don’t want to give it to anyone else.
Genital herpes is caused by a virus that’s a member of the herpes family, herpes simplex type 2. The first sign of infection is usually tingling or itching of the genital area or anus, followed by painful sores,swollen lymph nodes, sore muscles, and headaches. The first outbreak, usually the most painful, can last up to two weeks. Later outbreaks usually last four or five days; blisters heal in one to three weeks.
Factors that can trigger herpes outbreaks in addition to stress and sun exposure include weakened immunity, diet, surgery, skin rashes, menstruation, hormonal fluctuations, and prolonged sexual activity. Genital herpes is diagnosed by smears or cell cultures.
Up to 70 percent of those infected with herpes show no symptoms. Unfortunately, while antiviral drugs may reduce the chances of infecting others, they can’t eliminate that chance. And those who have genital herpes may be infectious to others at times when they’re not aware of an outbreak.
Herbal Remedies
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
This antiviral herb has recently shown its potential for accelerating the healing of herpes sores, especially when treatment is started early in the outbreak. Because it’s also a mild sedative, lemon balm may help you sleep if the pain of an outbreak is keeping you awake. Typical dosage: 25 to 40 drops of tincture two times per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 1/4 to 4 teaspoons of dried leaf in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes). In addition, you can apply a commercial lemon balm cream or ointment to the sores three or four times per day. Other effective herbs to look for in topical lemon balm products: aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and plantain.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida)
This herb is useful in any condition involving the immune system. Begin taking echinacea as soon as you feel an outbreak beginning; continue for up to two weeks. Typical dosage: up to nine 300-to 400-milligrams capsules per day; or 60 drops of tincture three times per day.
St.-John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum)
A well-known virus fighter and wound healer, St.-John’s-wort can be used in several ways to fight herpes. Typical dosage: 300 milligrams in capsules three times per day; or 15 to 40 drops of tincture three times per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes). To use externally, apply a compress made with the tea to the cold sores three times per day. You can also apply an infused oil or tincture of the following tops to active lesions. Caution: May cause increased reactions to sun exposure. Do not take St.-John’s-wort internally if you are on an antidepressant drug.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
In studies, licorice inactivates the herpes simplex virus. It also has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. When an outbreak first occurs, you can take commercial products that contain licorice extract or apply a licorice-compress or poultice several times per day. Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea per day (steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried, chopped root in 1 cup of hot water for 15 minutes); or up to six 400- or 500-milligram capsules per day; or 20 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times per day. Caution: Do not use licorice internally for longer than six weeks. Do not take it at all if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, take diuretics or digitalis, or if you’re pregnant.
Topical Herpes Treatment
If the alcohol of this tincture stings too much, substitute glycerites or infused oils of the same herbs.
1/2 teaspoon St.-John’s-wort tincture
1/2 teaspoon licorice root tincture
5 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops myrrh essential oil
Combine all ingredients. Shake well, then apply directly to herpes lesions up to three times per day.
Food and Supplements to Manage Herpes
To minimize herpes outbreaks, limit foods containing the amino acid arginine. That means avoiding chocolate,walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, peanut, and peanut butter.
Another amino acid, lysine, may help prevent outbreaks. Get your lysine by eating plenty of turkey,chicken, fish, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and wheat germ. You can also take lysine in capsule form. Typical dosage: 3,000 milligrams of lysine per day for 3 months, then 1,000 milligrams per day to prevent outbreaks.
Meanwhile, take zinc at the first sign of an outbreak to limit its length and severity. Typical dosage: 30 to 60 milligrams during the outbreak and for several days after. You can also apply cream or ointment containing zinc sulfate to the sores.
Herpes-Immune System Tincture
Blending your own tinctures is easy to do; you simply purchase commercial tinctures and blend them in a dark glass bottle. You can blend larger amounts of the tinctures in this recipe; just keep the proportions the same.
1/2 teaspoon echinacea tincture
1/2 teaspoon St.-John’s-wort tincture
1/2 teaspoon bupleurum tincture
1/2 teaspoon licorice tincture
1/2 teaspoon barberry tincture
Combine the tinctures. Take one dropperful of the mix four to six times per day as soon as you feel symptoms of an outbreak coming on and for as long as they continue.
Three Quick, Easy Remedies
Got tea on hand? How about aloe or vitamin E? Here are quick, easy ways to quell the sting of a herpes lesion.
* Apply a damp bag of black tea. Steep it in hot water a few moments to allow the tiny pieces of leaves to unfurl; let it cool and place on the lesion.
* Pop open a vitamin E capsule. Apply the oil to lesions to ease the itch and promote healing.
* Use pure aloe vera gel. It’s as good for any minor skin wound as it is for kitchen burns. Slice open a leaf, scoop the fresh gel, and apply, or purchase a bottled pure aloe vera product.