Natural Care For Herpes
Being diagnosed with Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV, can be an incredibly emotional, confusing, and frustrating experience.
In reality, HSV is incredibly common, with virus type one affecting an estimated 47.8% of adults in the U.S., and type two affecting 11.9%.
Outbreaks causing sores around the mouth and lips, aka cold sores, are attributed to HSV-1, while those on the genitals and rectum are typically caused by HSV-2. Although this is the general consensus, types one and two can cause outbreaks in both areas. People are not usually tested for which strain they have, and it doesnt make a difference in treatment protocol.
When it comes down to it, herpes is simply a common virus that can live dormant in someones body for years. It typically becomes aggravated when the immune system and body are under stress.
For the most part, outbreaks are preventable with careful attention to ones health and wellbeing.
Natural and holistic remedies are incredibly powerful in preventing herpes outbreaks. Knowing how to use preventative measures, what to do in an outbreak, and how to care for yourself overall can significantly decrease their frequency.
The Hidden Superpower
While annoying and painful, there are not so hidden messages in herpes outbreaks telling you that something in your body is out of balance.
The Basics
A herpes outbreak is an immune system response, plain and simple. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to keep the immune system from being aggravated.
How Do You Get Genital Herpes
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Other Treatments For Cold Sores
While tea tree oil for cold sores definitely helps in many ways, you can get better results from standard prescription medicines. Here is what you need to know:
- Valtrex, Zovirax, Famvir, and other oral prescription drugs work quite well and interrupt virus replication, which in turn lets your immune system to take charge of things and clear the infection in a short time.
- Whether you try oral prescription drugs or use tea tree oil, you will benefit a lot from using antibiotic ointments along with other cold sore treatments. Polysporin is a great choice because it prevents bacterial infections, especially when the cold sore’s blister breaks. You need to apply this antibiotic ointment after applying the cold sore medication.
- What’s more, you may want to stick to a regimen of low-dose antiviral drugs if you have chronic cold sores and get more than one outbreak every couple of months. Be sure to talk to your physician before taking any of these drugs.
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Treating The Influenza Virus With Tea Tree Oil
The December 2009 issue of Letters in Applied Microbiology published a study investigating the antiviral activity of TTO and its main component, terpinen-4-ol 1. The results of the study demonstrated that TTO and some of its constituents possess inhibitory effects on influenza virus subtype H1N1. The authors further found that none of the tested compounds had the ability to inactivate viral particles individually. They concluded that TTO has an antiviral activity against influenza virus subtype H1N1 only, principally attributed to terpinen-4-ol, and TTO is a promising drug in the management of influenza infections.
The same authors published a follow-up study in the January 2011 issue of Antiviral Research. Here, they investigated the action of TTO and its active components against different steps of the replicative cycle of influenza virus subtype H1N1 in dog kidney cells at different times after infection 2. These experiments showed that viral replication was significantly inhibited if TTO was added within two hours after infection of the cells, which indicated interference at the beginning of the viral replicative cycle during the adsorption step, or the actual entering of the virus into the host cell. The results suggest that TTO did not interfere with attachment of the virus to the cell.
Tea Tree Oil For Viral Infections
Tea tree oil can be used as an effective topical application for the treatment of infections due to a variety of microbial and viral agents, including herpes simplex, influenza virus subtype H1N1 and human papilloma virus. Though results of recent clinical research have found beneficial properties of tea tree oil in treating viral infections, consult a physician before using essential oils to combat these pathogens.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection caused by one of two types of the herpes simplex virus. Infected individuals experience recurrent bouts of painful blisters and itchy open sores that typically take 10 to 14 days to heal, according to Northeastern Ohio University dermatologist Christina Cernik in the June 9, 2008, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. The University of Michigan Health System says that Australian Aborigines traditionally used tea tree oil to treat cuts and skin infections such as herpes. Indeed, a study published by a team of Australian researchers in the September 2001 edition of the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy concluded that tea tree oil inactivated the herpes simplex virus in test tubes. But substances that work well in test tubes do not always work well in people and tea tree oil can cause irritation when applied to skin around the mouth and genitals. Patients who consider using it should discuss this decision with their physicians.
Is Herpes Easily Transmitted
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Soothing Eucalyptus Blend For Blisters Lesions And Cold Sores
Blisters, lesions, and cold sores caused by herpes are uncomfortable, unattractive, and painful. This blend primarily consists of oils that work against the herpes virus and inflammation. Its soothing and may provide relief against painful skin ruptures.
To make this blend youll need:
- 2 drops of lavender
- 3 drops of tea tree
- 1 tablespoon of borage base oil
Combine the essential oils together and then add to the base oil.
Use a cotton swab to apply the solution directly to the affected area.
Use a band aid to cover blisters. This may prevention further infection.
How Do Essential Oils Work
Essential oils are concentrated plant oil extracts created through a distillation process. Each oil contains a highly concentrated form of the naturally occurring oils found in plants, like lavender and peppermint.
Over the last few decades, essential oils have become a popular natural treatment for a variety of ailments and health conditions. Most people use essential oils through skin application or by inhaling small amounts of essential oils through a diffuser.
Like most natural treatments and cures, the evidence for essential oils is mixed. While some oils are scientifically linked to improvements in health and relief from some diseases, the total amount of scientific evidence for most essential oils is fairly slim.
As such, its best to think of essential oils as a supplementary treatment for cold sores that you can use alongside proven antiviral medications.
Below, weve listed some of the most popular essential oils for cold sores, along with the scientific data to back up claims about each product.
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Should Tea Tree Oil Be Used For Herpes
Tea tree oil is inexpensive and natural. Because it is a natural product, it is generally safe, effective and without negative effects.
However, it is strong, and can sometimes irritate existing problems.
Since its pure form is so potent, it can be more soothing in a carrier oil or as an ingredient. It comes distilled and concentrated for maximum efficiency.
For a list of topical treatments for herpes and the studies about them, check out our page Topical Herpes Treatments.
How To Get Rid Of Herpes The Conventional Way
For most people with herpes, the virus typically represents nothing more than an inconvenience however, the real risk is for immuno-compromised patients who cant easily manage infections. In these patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
As of 2017, there is not currently a herpes vaccine available to prevent HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Doctors sometimes prescribe medications to help keep the herpes virus suppressed or to speed up healing of cold sores by reducing bacteria that can cause infections. Some medications that are now used to control herpes include:
- Nucleoside analogues and antiviral medications
- Creams/ointment to help lower pain and inflammation near the site of sores
- Over-the-counter painkillers to reduce aches, tenderness or fever
However, its important to understand that even with early detection and prescription medications, either form of the herpes virus cannot be totally cured so transmission is always still possible. Medications for viruses dont always work long term and are not a cure-all.
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Tea Tree Essential Oil
Individuals with a compromised immune system are susceptible to developing severe cases of the herpes simplex virus infection. This was substantiated in a clinical trial conducted on a 22-year-old female who was suffering from a case of leukemia. Tea tree helps to stimulate the immune system. It gives the immune system an additional push to fight against the herpes virus, even when you dont show immediate signs of the strain.
To administer as a massage oil, add 5 to 6 drops of tea tree in 30 ml of St. Johns wort macerated base oil. Massage onto the skin and let it absorb.
Best for: stimulating the immune system
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Tea Tree Oil For The Treatment Of Genital Herpes
Tea Tree Oil is created from steam distilled Melaleuca alternifolia leaves, an evergreen shrub belonging to the myrtle family. Native to Australias swampy coast, it has been used as an antiseptic for centuries by the Aboriginal people. Due to germ fighting properties, Tea Tree Oil treats bacterial and fungal infections including acne, athletes foot, nail fungus and insect bites.
Tea Tree Oil
How Do I Use Tea Tree Oil For Herpes
There are a couple of different ways in which you can use tea tree oil for herpes, but there are three methods that are usually considered the most common. Many people apply the oil directly to the outbreaks, usually with a cotton swab suspending the oil in olive or vitamin E oils is also popular, particularly if youve never used tea tree oil on your skin before or youre worried about a reaction or sensitivity. You can also dilute the oil in a warm bath or use it in conjunction with a hot compress on the affected areas. In most cases youll want to put the oil directly on your outbreak, since it doesnt tend to be as effective ingested as it is topically. Its important to realize that the oil cant actually cure your herpes, no matter how effective it is at reducing outbreaks and discomfort. As such, youll still need to exercise caution to avoid spreading the disease to others.
Tea Tree Oil Basics
Tea tree oil comes from the bark and leaves of the tea tree plant, which is native to Australia and New Zealand. It is a well-known antiseptic and can help alleviate a number of skin irritations and aggravations. People use it to treat both oral and genital herpes, though the success rate is often dependent on things like strength of the initial infection and individual biological differences.
Direct Application
Soaks
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What To Put On Herpes
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Tea Tree Oil Vs Abreva
It all comes down to personal choice. While Abreva is an FDA approved OTC treatment that can heal your fever blisters in as little as 72 hours, some people dont want to use medicines in case theyre harmful. Tea tree oil is a highly respected natural remedy that is used to treat many skin ailments.
That is just anecdotal proof, but its likely to be significant. How do you feel about modern medicine? Do you trust it? The answer to that question will likely lead you in the best direction for your needs.
We recommend Abreva as your primary treatment, but having tea tree oil available in your home is also beneficial. Being that essential oils can be used for a variety of skin issues, its useful to have access to this natural treatment at home.
To summarize
- In the versus battle between Abreva and tea tree oil, the choice is yours. While all the signs points to Abreva, we encourage you to perform your testing to find out what works best for you. While tea tree oil does not possess the FDA seal of approval, it is a top alternative treatment for people who want to treat cold sores naturally.
- Like many essential oils, tea tree oil can be used for a variety of things. This could be a good backup plan if Abreva is not available to you during your time of need.
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Could Tea Tree Oil Treat Herpes Virology Says Maybe
I’m not a big fan of essential oils. They are simply complex mixtures of plant-derived chemicals called terpenoids . None of them are especially harmful and, with the exception of having a nice scent, they are not especially helpful either. But I happened upon an interesting paper from 2009, which claims that tea tree oil, the olfactory darling du jour, might be useful in treating herpes.
But before I tell you about why Paul Schnitzler and colleagues at the University of Heidelberg may have something interesting on their hands, first you’re going to need a little virology lesson. Sorry, but this ain’t all fun and games.
Here’s how you grow viruses in the lab .
Figure 1 Viral plaques. Photo: Virology Blog. A simplified representation of growing viruses in a well. The darker the color, the more virus is present.
Experiment 1
Experiment 2