Herbs as Herpes Remedies
August 19, 2010 by Joanna
Filed under Genital Herpes Tips
There are a number of herpes viruses which can cause the disease. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) generally causes mild outbreaks of cold sores on the mouth or lips. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) is more severe and causes genital herpes, though the mouth can also be affected.
Both herpes infections can cause painful herpes blisters which are highly infectious. Herpes blisters are contagious until completely healed, which can take from 2-4 weeks. There is a slight chance of transmitting the herpes infection after herpes blisters have healed, however the rate of transmission drops drastically at this point. In rare cases there are no symptoms.
Fortunately there are many herbal herpes remedies which are useful in boosting immunity, reducing stress, and providing topical relief from herpes outbreaks.
Herbal Herpes Remedies for Boosting Immunity
Echinacea is highly recommended as a preventive measure for those prone to herpes. This herpes remedy is taken daily for a period of three months, and thereafter, whenever there are periods of susceptibility in your life. If you are taking Echinacea tincture, the recommended dosage is one-fourth teaspoon, three times daily. If you are taking this herpes remedy in tea form, the recommended dosage is three to four cups daily. If you are taking Echinacea capsules, the recommended dosage is two capsules, three times daily.
Include pau d’arco as another one of the herpes remedies every day in the diet for three to six months. This herpes remedy may be used in tincture, tablet or tea form. Use the same dosages as recommended for Echinacea herpes herbal remedy. The following formula contains pau d’arco and is a good preventative tea.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Immune Support Tea
4 parts pau d’arco
2 parts echinacea
1 part burdock root
Optional: cinnamon, orange peel, licorice root, or other tasty root herbs to taste.
Prepare an infusion using four to six tablespoons of the herb mixture per quart of water. Strain. Drink three to four cups daily.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Reduce Stress
Adaptogenic herbs and foods increase the body’s ability to respond to the stresses of the environment while calming and relaxing the nervous system. The following nervine adaptogens strengthen, nourish, and maintain the homeostatic mechanisms of the nervous system, enabling it to deal more effectively with stress.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Less Stress Tea
4 parts nettle
3 parts oat straw
3 parts chamomile
1 part St. John’s wort
1 part skullcap
1 part passionflower
Prepare an infusion using four to six tablespoons of herb mixture per each quart of water. Drink freely throughout the day for several weeks and whenever there are high levels of stress in your life thereafter.
Treating Herpes Outbreaks
Some find that keeping the herpes sores moist prolongs the healing process, others find the comfort of salves and ointments very healing. Try both natural herpes remedies methods and see which works best for you.
If you find that your particular case responds better to an astringent, drying type medication than to a salve, make a St. Johns’ wort/lemon balm tincture. Apply this topically to the open herpes sores. But be careful; it will sting! Dilute it with water before applying.
Aloe vera gel soothes, dries, and effectively helps to heal herpes sores. Apply the aloe vera gel directly to the herpes sores. You can use the gel pressed fresh from the leaf of a plant, or you can buy aloe gel.
The Anti-Herpes Paste below makes an excellent poultice when applied directly to the herpes sores.
Anti-Herpes Paste
1 part goldenseal powder
1 part black walnut hull powder
1 part echinacea root powder
Mix the powdered herbs together, then moisten the mixture with a bit of St. Johns’ wort/lemon balm tincture.
Warm herbal baths are soothing and healing for herpes. You might wish to alternate both types or find the one that works best for you. The first is a soothing, relaxing bath that relieves the itching caused by genital herpes. The second bath is an astringent cleanser.
After bathing, gently but completely dry the groin area.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Relaxing & Soothing Herbal Bath Blend
3 parts chamomile
1 part instant oatmeal (dry)
1 part hops
1 part comfrey leaf
2 parts calendula
1 part comfrey root
Mix these ingredients together and place a big handful or two in a large handkerchief or cotton bath bag. Tie it onto the nozzle of the tub and let hot water stream through it for several minutes. Adjust the temperature of the water, untie the bag, and let it float with you in the tub.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Astringent Bath
1 ounce dry chaparral leaves
1-2 drops tea tree oil
4 tablespoons baking soda
Mix dry ingredients thoroughly, then mix in oil. Place mixture in a large cotton handkerchief or bath bag. Tie it onto the nozzle of the tub and let hot water stream through it for several minutes. Adjust the water temperature, untie the bag, and let it float with you in the tub.
Other Herbal Herpes Remedies Considerations
Include daily dosages of chlorophyll, wheat grass, and/or blue-green algae in your diet. Each of these substances strengthens the immune system and provides antiviral activity. They are also extremely cleansing and nourishing to the system.
Include B vitamin-rich foods in the diet such as whole grains, nutritional yeast, bee pollen, spirulina, blue green algae, seaweeds.
Add a vitamin B supplement to your daily diet.
Eliminate foods that might be agitating the condition. Sweets, both natural and otherwise, arginine-rich foods such as peanuts, chocolate, and soft drinks (especially those with cola), and stimulants can all activate the outbreak of herpes. Likewise, the lack of certain elements in the diet can exacerbate the situation. People prone to herpes need to include foods high in B vitamins, calcium, iron, Vitamin C, and lysine.
Herbal Herpes Remedies: Therapeutic Oils
Lemon balm has been shown to reduce the time it takes for blisters and sores to heal by 1/2, and to substantially reduce herpes recurrences.
Many people report great success with a therapeutic oil called H-Balm by Forces of Nature.
These oils are extremely potent and should be used only as directed.
