Natural treatments for herpes
Natural treatments for herpes focus on relieving symptoms and potentially reducing the frequency of outbreaks caused by the herpes simplex virus, which manifests as painful blister-like lesions around the mouth and genitals. While conventional antiviral medications remain the primary method for managing herpes, several natural remedies have shown promise in alleviating symptoms. Notable among these are lemon balm, which has demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing discomfort and healing time for cold sores, and aloe vera, which may expedite lesion recovery. L-lysine, an amino acid, is noted for its potential to lessen the number and severity of outbreaks when taken regularly.
Other natural options include Eleutherococcus, which has shown a reduction in infection frequency, and topical applications of zinc, which may help with cold sores. Additionally, vitamin C and honeybee propolis cream have been reported to aid in healing. Though various herbs and dietary changes, such as incorporating probiotics and limiting arginine-rich foods, are suggested, many lack robust scientific backing. Lifestyle adjustments, including stress management and sufficient sleep, are also recommended to support overall immune function. While these natural treatments may offer relief, they do not replace conventional medical advice, especially for preventing transmission to uninfected partners.
Natural treatments for herpes
- DEFINITION: Treatment of blister-like lesions around the mouth and genitals caused by the herpes virus.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS:
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Adenosine monophosphate, astragalus, bee propolis, cat’s claw, echinacea, elderberry, Eleutherococcus, kelp, sage-rhubarb cream, sandalwood, tea tree oil, vitamin C, witch hazel, probiotics, lemon balm, vitamin D, diet and lifestyle changes
Introduction
The common virus herpes simplex, known as simply herpes, can cause painful blister-like lesions around the mouth and genitalia. Slightly different strains of herpes predominate in each of these two areas of the body, but the infections are essentially identical. In both areas, the herpes virus remains deep in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of nerve ganglia, where it stays inactive for months or years. Occasionally, the virus reactivates, travels down the nerve, and starts an eruption. Common triggers include stress, dental procedures, infections, and trauma. Flare-ups usually become less severe over time.
Conventional medical treatment consists of antiviral drugs, such as Zovirax. Such medications can shorten the length and intensity of a herpes outbreak or, when taken consistently at lower dosages, reduce the frequency of flare-ups. In addition, they can reduce transmission of the disease. Herpes may also be treated with oral antiviral medications, such as valacyclovir and famciclovir, as well as topical medicines including docosanol and penciclovir.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Several natural treatments have shown promise for treating herpes. However, while conventional treatments can reduce infectivity and thereby help prevent the spread of the disease, no natural treatment has been shown to do this. Commonsense methods used to prevent herpes transmission are not entirely effective: Many people are infectious even when they do not have obvious symptoms, and the use of a condom during sexual intercourse does not entirely prevent the spread of the virus. Therefore, if a person is sexually active with a noninfected partner who wishes to remain that way, the use of suppressive drug therapy is strongly recommended.
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). More commonly known in the US as lemon balm, Melissa officinalis is widely sold in Europe as a topical cream for treating genital and oral herpes. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed sixty-six people just starting to develop a cold sore (oral herpes). Treatment with Melissa cream produced significant benefits on day two, reducing the intensity of discomfort, number of blisters, and lesion size. (The researchers specifically looked at day two because, according to them, symptoms are most pronounced.)
Another double-blind study followed 116 persons with oral or genital herpes. Participants used either Melissa cream or a placebo cream for up to ten days. The results showed that the herb resulted in a significantly better recovery rate than the placebo.
Aloe vera. The succulent aloe plant is well known for treating burns and minor wounds. However, while evidence is limited for its effectiveness for those purposes, two studies suggest that aloe has potential value in treating herpes infections. A two-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled sixty men with active genital herpes. Participants applied aloe cream (0.5 percent aloe) or placebo cream three times daily for five days. The use of aloe cream reduced the time necessary for lesions to heal and increased the percentage of persons fully healed by the end of two weeks.
An earlier double-blind, placebo-controlled study by the same author, enrolling 120 men with genital herpes, found that aloe cream was more effective than pure aloe gel or placebo. The author theorized that the cream's oily constituents improved aloe absorption.
L-lysine. Another well-known treatment for herpes involves the amino acid L-lysine. Taken regularly in sufficient doses, lysine supplements appear to reduce the number and intensity of herpes flare-ups. However, a study evaluating lysine taken only at the onset of a herpes attack found no benefit. (One should consider using Melissa for this latter purpose.)
One double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed fifty-two persons with a history of herpes flare-ups. While receiving 3 grams of L-lysine every day for six months, the treatment group experienced an average of 2.4 fewer herpes flare-ups than the placebo group; this was a significant difference. The lysine group’s flare-ups were also significantly less severe and healed faster.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of forty-one persons also found improvements in the frequency of attacks. This study found that 1,250 milligrams (mg) of lysine daily worked, but 624 mg did not. Other studies, including one that followed sixty-five persons, found no benefit, but these studies used lower doses of lysine.
Zinc. Zinc lozenges or nasal sprays are thought to be effective in fighting the viruses that cause colds. One study suggests that topical zinc may also be helpful for herpes infections of the mouth and face. In this trial, forty-six persons with cold sores were treated with a zinc oxide cream or placebo every two hours until the cold sores resolved. The results showed that those using the cream experienced a reduction in the severity of symptoms and a shorter time to full recovery.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Eleutherococcus, also (incorrectly) called Russian or Siberian ginseng, has shown promise treating herpes. A six-month double-blind trial of ninety-three men and women with recurrent genital herpes infections found that treatment with Eleutherococcus (2 grams daily) reduced the frequency of infections by almost 50 percent.
A double-blind trial of 149 persons with recurrent oral herpes compared the effectiveness of cream containing Zovirax with cream containing the herbs sage and rhubarb and with cream containing sage alone. The combination of sage and rhubarb proved to be just as effective as Zovirax cream; sage by itself was less effective.
One study suggests that topical treatment with a vitamin C solution may speed the healing of oral herpes outbreaks. Oral vitamin C combined with bioflavonoids has also shown some promise for genital herpes.
The results of a small, single-blind, controlled study suggest that the honeybee product propolis cream might help genital herpes attacks heal faster. Other herbs and supplements are recommended for herpes infections but lack meaningful supporting evidence, including adenosine monophosphate, astragalus, cat’s claw, elderberry, kelp, sandalwood, tea tree oil, and witch hazel. Additional recommendations include adding probiotics to one's diet to boost immune system response and limiting that contain arginine, such as chocolate, nuts, and seeds, which can allow viruses to duplicate more rapidly.
A product containing vitamins and minerals and the herbs paprika, rosemary, peppermint, milfoil, hawthorn, and pumpkin seed has been used in Scandinavia for many years as a treatment for various mouth-related conditions. However, a double-blind study of fifty people with recurrent oral herpes failed to find four months’ treatment with this product more effective than placebo. Similarly, a one-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of fifty persons with recurrent genital herpes failed to find the herb echinacea helpful in reducing the rate of flare-ups. Finally, avoiding stress triggers, getting enough sleep, and exploring relaxing techniques may boost the immune system.
Bibliography
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