Antiviral Herbs For Herpes
Although herpes infection cannot be cured completely, it can be treated to relieve symptoms, control outbreaks and prevent recurrent infection. You can opt for any treatment option that suits you. However, keep in mind, conventional treatment like antiviral medications can give rise to side effects and add more problems. So, it is better to choose natural remedies to get rid of painful symptoms and keep the condition under control.
In addition to simple home remedies, you can try using different herbs that are meant for treating herpes infection. Some of the common herbs with anti-herpes activity are aloe vera, Echinacea, Siberian ginseng, lemon balm, peppermint, sage, calendula, rosemary, thyme and prunella.
When it comes to herbal treatment, you need to be regular and consistent. You should give enough time for the herbs to interpret their best results. Another important benefit of herbal treatment over medications is that they impart no side effects.
Are There Any Home Remedies For Genital Herpes
Home remedies are often natural and quick ways to deal with ailments. Are there any home remedies for genital herpes, or is medication the only option? Find out here.
Contracting an STI like genital herpes can be embarrassing. You may feel uncomfortable going to your doctor or a sexual health clinic, but also need to know for sure that you have the virus, as well as what to do next. As Herpes is a virus, there is no known cure, but thankfully it can be treated. There are a number of home remedies that can reduce discomfort, but these are no substitute for a course of antiviral medicine that will stop the virus from multiplying. Here we are going to detail both so you can get the best possible treatment
A Little About the Condition
Physical symptoms include blisters and other marks which can appear around your genitals as well as around the mouth, as cold sores and herpes are actually caused by the same virus. Given the nature of this particular virus, anyone who engages in sexual activity with someone they know to have herpes should get tested immediately even if they show no signs or symptoms.
Home Remedies
While the following can only be considered as complimentary treatments, these home remedies will certainly help reduce inflammation, swelling and itching, while a proper course of antivirals are getting to work.
Hot and cold
Topical applications
Diet changes
Medical Treatments
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Epsom Salt Bath For Genital Herpes
While many people think of Epsom salt baths for treating sore muscles, they might not realize a soak can help with genital herpes symptoms as well.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends 1020 minutes in a warm Epsom salt bath for genital herpes relief. The Epsom salts cleanse, soothe, and reduce the itching caused by genital herpes lesions.
You can purchase Epsom salts at local pharmacies, online, or even in bulk at animal feed stores.
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Editorial Sources And Fact
How To Get Rid Of Herpes Naturally
Not every person with a herpes infection actually experiences breakouts of cold sores throughout his or her lifetime or even after initially becoming infected. How often someone has a herpes cold sore outbreak, how severe the outbreaks are, how contagious someone is after infection and how long the sores take to heal all depend on someones individual immune response.
1. Boost Nutrient Intake
If youre going to keep the herpes virus from frequently causing outbreaks, the first step in how to get rid of herpes is to improve immune function by boosting nutrient intake. Include these healing foods in your diet to keep the virus dormant as much as possible:
2. Avoid Inflammatory Foods
Certain foods can raise inflammation, weaken immune defenses and make skin irritation even worse. Avoid the following foods as much as possible to limit outbreak severity and duration.
3. Consider Supplements
- Antiviral herbs: These include elderberry, calendula, echinacea, garlic, astragalus and licorice root.
- L-lysine : Can help treat and prevent outbreaks.
- Lemon balm extract: Apply as a topical cream for healing.
- Vitamin C : Vitamin C boosts immune function improving herpes.
- Zinc : Zinc benefits include supporting immune function, keeping viruses dormant and rebuilding skin tissue to speed up healing.
- B-complex : B vitamins help your body deal with stress and can prevent outbreaks.
4. Try Essential Oils
5. Ease Cold Sore Pain Naturally
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Andrographis: One Of The Best Antiviral Herbs For Herpes
Andrographis is the name of a medicinal plant of very bitter flavor, very well-known in Asia for its healing properties.
The scientific name of this herb is Andrographis paniculata, but in India it is known with the name of Maha-Tita that means king of the bitter. In Malaysia, natives name this plant Hempedu Bumi that means bile of the earth.
Andrographis belongs to the Acanthaceaes family and it possesses simple green leaves. This plant inhabits in India and Sri Lanka and it is cultivated in Asia.
The consumption of leaves and roots of Andrographis strengthen the immune system and it is more effective if we combine it with Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc.
Andrographis is one of the most effective medicinal herbs to treat herpes, but it isnt the answer to the question: how to cure herpes naturally forever?
The most effective way of preventing the outbreaks is by means of the invigoration of the immune system. Once exposed to the herpes virus, outbreaks are typically related to the times when the immune system is weakened or under pressure, such as stress, illness, fatigue, poor diet, surgery, over exposure to sunlight, medications, etc.
Andrographis interferes with viral reproduction and stimulates the production of antibodies and large white blood cells that kill invading viruses.
Andrographis fights herpes virus.
Summary of Andrographis for herpes
Scientific name
Mechanism of action against herpes
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These tablets are manually made from extracts of best quality Giloy. Giloy is extracts of best quality Giloy. Giloy is a great herb to fight STDs and improve immunity. Dr. Sebi was a great fan of it. even modern medical science accepts now that giloy is a great herb for health and it helps the body fight many diseases.
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Expect The First Outbreak To Be The Worst
Remember that although herpes lasts a lifetime, the first outbreak typically causes the most pain, while later outbreaks tend to be much milder.
You will always have herpes, and the sores will come and go, but you can decide not to treat the current outbreak. If its not that unpleasant or uncomfortable, some patients will do that, says Gade.
Coconut Oil For Genital Herpes
Besides being great for cooking, coconut oil can provide some significant health benefits. In some cultures, the coconut tree is even referred to as the tree of life. Clinical studies on coconut oil and its components have even backed some of these benefits:
Not enough evidence exists yet on coconut oil for genital herpes to prove that it directly treats herpes lesions however, its many beneficial qualities may soothe irritated skin around outbreaks and moisturize dry herpes scabs.
Monolaurin, a coconut-oil-derived fatty acid, has also shown some promise as a natural treatment for genital herpes.
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Soaking In A Warm Bath
Soaking in a warm bath is often recommended online as a home treatment for speeding up the healing process if you have genital herpes. The theory behind this home remedy is that the hot water in the bathtub kills the virus and helps the skin heal faster.
The scientific side of this claim simply isnt true. Herpes is a viral infection that isnt affected by hot water. It remains dormant in nerve tissue inside the body, meaning that no amount of warm bathing is going to have any effect on actually treating the virus.
As such, you shouldnt expect a hot bath to reduce the amount of time required for herpes sores to disappear.
However, soaking in a warm bath isnt necessarily a bad thing if you have herpes. Warm water can soften your skin and dull the itching and discomfort that often accompanies genital herpes, making it a good way to relax if youre being bothered by a herpes outbreak.
As far as how to heal herpes sores faster goes, for that, youll need to take valacyclovir or another antiviral medication.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Genital Herpes
How to use?
- Mix a teaspoon of tea tree essential oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil
- Rinse the genital area with fresh water in the next morning
Benefits of using tea tree essential oil
The topical application of the oil helps to soothe the irritation and itchiness of genital herpes. The antioxidants in the essential oil can cure the infection and inflammation of the skin and alleviate the sores and lesions caused by mild genital herpes.
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Precaution
Dilute the tea tree essential oil with coconut oil before applying it to the skin. Conduct a patch test to make sure that your skin is not sensitive to it.
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Old Folk Remedy Revived: How Tansy May Be A Treatment For Herpes
- Date:
- Wiley – Blackwell
- Summary:
- For centuries, tansy has been used as a folk remedy, but now scientists from Britain and Spain believe the plant may have medical benefits after all, as a treatment for herpes. The team’s findings are the result of joint work between two teams to established scientific evidence for traditional medicines.
For centuries, tansy has been used as a folk remedy, but now scientists from Britain and Spain believe the plant may have medical benefits after all, as a treatment for herpes. The team’s findings, published in Phytotherapy Research, are the result of joint work between two teams to established scientific evidence for traditional medicines.
Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, is a flowering plant found across mainland Europe and Asia. From the Middle Ages onwards the plant, whose folk names include Golden Buttons and Mugwort, has been used as a remedy for various conditions, from fevers to rheumatism. However, it’s supposed medical benefits have always been questioned.
“Our research focused on the anti-viral properties of tansy, especially the potential treatment it may represent for herpes,” said lead author Professor Francisco Parra from the Universidad de Oviedo. “We currently lack an effective vaccine for either HSV-1 or HSV-2 stands of the disease, which can cause long term infections.”
Through a mechanistic-based antiherpetic activity study, the teams revealed which constituents of the plant are responsible for antiviral activity.
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Treating Genital Herpes With Herbal Medicine
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Herpes is a condition that not a lot of people want to talk about. Its not uncommon for me to see a patient who tells me that theyve never talked about their genital herpes before or never told anyone that they have it.
For me it can be very upsetting to see how this particular virus can wreak so much havoc both physically and emotionally for those who suffer with it. Every new flare can cause bouts of anxiety and the more anxious people get, the worse the flares become. Some people go into a depression, socialize less, and stop dating. Even oral herpes which hasnt been sexually contracted can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment for a lot of people. This is where holistic medicine shines. In any condition where the emotions are a trigger for physical symptoms or when physical symptoms cause emotional pain and trauma, its always best to treat the whole person.
Herbal Treatment for Herpes
In addition, I include herbs to address emotional symptoms. For some of my patients who have constant herpes flares, they live in fear of when the next outbreak will come. And when it does come, it sends them into a complete downward spiral emotionally. Herbs cant make these feelings go away, but they can be very calming and grounding. They also help to prevent flares from happening when theres an obvious link where stress and anxiety are the cause of the flares.
Herbs vs Pharmaceuticals
Course of Treatment
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Histological Morphology And Immunohistochemistry
Vaginal and vulvar paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the infiltration of immune cells. Tissue sections were dewaxed, hydrated, antigen repaired, membrane permeated, and sealed. After incubating with primary antibodies against CD4, CD8, CD11c, and CD161 and secondary antibody successively, the tissue sections were stained, restained, differentiated, dehydrated, cleared, sealed, and photographed for analysis.
Herbal Remedies May Also Offer Relief
Research supports the use of certain botanical remedies. You may want to try one or more of these:
Long dan xie gan tan This Chinese herbal formula has been used to quell symptoms and reduce herpes outbreaks. Its English name is clear liver fire pills. In at least one study, the formulawas shown to inhibit the activity of HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Chinese herbal medicine is always individualized, and there are other formulas that help too, so it is helpful to consult a licensed acupuncturist or herbalist before starting this formula, says Mindich.
Mushrooms Mushrooms boost the immune system, Mindich says, and thus can help prevent recurrent herpes outbreaks. She recommends mushroom products from the Immune & Protection collection of Host Defense and from Myko San. Eating shiitake mushrooms daily has also been found to have a positive effect on the immune system in a study published in April 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Lemon balm This herb, which is related to mint, has traditionally been used to improve brain function and also has antiviral properties. Records concerning the medicinal use of lemon balm date back more than 2,000 years.
Lemon balm can be prepared and drunk as a tea. It can also be applied to the skin to both prevent herpes to prevent outbreaks and reduce symptoms. Research has shown that lemon balm oil directly counteracts herpes viruses.
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Interesting Home Remedies From Our Grandparents That Could Help You
Youâll also rediscover 40 home remedies our grandparents taught us that doctors still use or prescribe. These have once again become very important for people who like try a more natural approach. For example, you can tackle some headaches using a potato, deal with bug bites using toothpaste, lower fever with vinegar, detox over night sleeping with half an onion in socks, make cough syrup from black radish, and many others.
What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes
The herpes simplex symptoms are difficult to distinguish as they are often very mild, and may surface several months after an attack.
- Persistent fever or flu-like symptoms
- Feeling restless and unwell
- Formation of blisters in the cervix
- Itching or burning sensations in the groin area
- Burning pain when urinating
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Herpes Causes And Risk Factors
Causes of herpes include acquiring the virus through sexual contact, coupled with immune system suppression and sometimes nutritional deficiencies.
HSV-1 is primarily transmitted by oral-oral contact. On the other hand, HSV-2 is considered a sexually transmitted disease and usually passed during oral or vaginal sex.
A scary finding is that more cases of genital herpes than ever before are now being caused by HSV-1 , and about 85 percent of people with genital herpes dont even know it. Studies show that about 50 percent of the new genital herpes infections in young adults are due to HSV-1 and about 40 percent in older adults. The fact that most people dont ever find out theyre infected is one of the reasons that transmission rates are steadily climbing.
Risk factors for acquiring herpes include:
- Kissing someone who has symptoms of an active herpes virus
- Engaging in any form of unprotected sex
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Spreading the virus through contact with cold sores on the eyes, secretions on the fingers, or ulcers/sores on buttocks and upper thighs
- Having certain other illnesses that lower immune function, such as HIV/AIDS, an autoimmune disorder or hepatitis
- Eating a poor diet that causes nutrient deficiencies and lowered immunity
- Smoking cigarettes, drinking high amounts of alcohol or abusing drugs
Try Taking The Supplement Lysine
In terms of taking supplements to prevent breakouts, I especially recommend L-lysine. This is the primary supplement for herpes, Gade says. L-lysine is an amino acid, a building block of protein. When you have an outbreak, it can be taken orally to shorten the outbreak in conjunction with an antiviral medication.
Lysine appears to be useful in reducing the number and the severity of outbreaks. The usual daily dose is between 1 and 3 milligrams.
Some studies suggest that taking lysine regularly may help prevent outbreaks of both cold sores and herpes sores. In Gades experience, patients have had no side effects using lysine. In some people, though, there have been reports of the supplement causing abdominal pain and diarrhea.
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