What helps against herpes? How to combat the symptoms naturally

Herpes is one of the most common viral infections and causes painful and unsightly sores on the mouth or in the genital area. Many people therefore wonder how they can fight herpes naturally.

The herpes virus can lie dormant unnoticed in the human body for a lifetime. From time to time it awakens and causes blister rashes and ulcers. If left untreated, herpes ulcers plague those affected for 10 to 14 days and are unpleasant for many reasons. They cause redness, pain, burning and often shame.

Many people wonder if there is a natural cure for herpes or are looking for ways to get rid of the disease once and for all.

The herpes virus cannot be cured.

However, many natural remedies can bring the virus into remission. There are many people who carry the herpes virus, but sometimes experience no symptoms for years after learning how to react to triggers. In this respect, you won't find a guide that tells you how to get rid of herpes naturally. However, there are ways to treat the symptoms naturally and keep outbreaks under control.

How does that work?

How can you keep the herpes virus in check or inactive?

• By strengthening your immune system through a healthy diet
• Make changes to your lifestyle
• and exercise particular caution in times of virus outbreaks

Certain steps will significantly reduce the risk of you suffering from symptoms again and again or passing the virus on to other people. So if you are one of those who are wondering how to treat herpes, you will find natural treatment methods in this guide that will keep the virus inactive.

Contents

• Foods that help naturally with herpes
• Foods that aggravate herpes
• Fight herpes naturally
• What is herpes?
• Herpes - symptoms and signs
• Herpes - causes and risk factors
• Conventional treatment options for herpes
• Herpes - Facts 
• Precautionary measures in the fight against herpes
• Key points: Fighting herpes

Foods that help naturally with herpes

Not everyone who is infected with herpes will experience actual outbreaks in their lifetime. The frequency, severity, duration and risk of infection of herpes outbreaks depends on the immune response of those affected.

Food for the supportive treatment of herpes

In the fight against constantly recurring outbreaks of the virus, strengthening your own immune system is the top priority. To do this, you need to increase your nutrient intake. Include these healing foods in your diet to keep the virus as inactive as possible:

• Foods with plenty of L-lysine: This amino acid can prevent the virus from replicating. Foods with a high L-lysine content are pulses, fish, turkey, chicken and vegetables.
• Orange and red vegetables: These vegetables contain antioxidants, including carotenoids, bioflavonoids and vitamin C, which support wound/skin healing and strengthen the immune system as a whole.
• Wild-caught fish: Fish provides important omega-3 fatty acids and is one of the best sources of these essential fatty acids. These relieve inflammation and support tissue regeneration.
• Pure, lean proteins: Your body can't heal without enough protein. Try to consume at least 100 to 150 g of high-quality protein with every meal. The best sources of protein include organic animal foods, such as wild-caught fish, free-range poultry and pasture-raised beef.
• Zinc: Zinc is required for various chemical reactions in the body, which are necessary for skin renewal, for example. Zinc also protects the body against viruses and infections. Topical zinc supplements have been shown to be effective in fighting herpes blisters and are also useful in keeping the virus inactive for longer. Increase your zinc intake with important protein-rich foods, such as organic meat (liver), pasture-raised beef, pumpkin seeds, nuts and vegetables (spinach).

Foods that aggravate herpes

Certain foods promote inflammation, weaken the immune system and worsen skin irritation. Therefore, avoid the following foods as much as possible to limit the severity and duration of a herpes outbreak:

• Foods with added sugar: Too much sugar suppresses immune function and can aggravate or promote inflammation. Added sugar is found in many drinks, packaged snacks and flavored products such as yogurt, cereals, granola bars and refined grains.
• Alcohol: High amounts of alcohol (in addition to tobacco and other drugs) suppress immune function and can increase symptoms such as fatigue, pain and skin irritation.
• Packaged, industrially processed foods: The majority of packaged, industrially processed foods contain ingredients that have been genetically modified, as well as hydrogenated fats and grains that weaken immune function. Such foods tend to cause intolerances and allergies and increase inflammation. They also contain little nutritional value other than empty calories.
• Acidic foods: These foods can further irritate herpes ulcers and increase the pain or burning sensation associated with them. Avoid tomatoes, oranges, vinegar and other citrus fruits if you are suffering from an active outbreak to prevent the acid from coming into contact with the ulcers. Otherwise, however, incorporate these foods into your diet frequently!
• Foods with plenty of L-arginine: This amino acid can stimulate the replication of the virus to a small extent. During an active outbreak, you should therefore avoid foods that contain L-arginine. These include products containing wheat (which mostly contain refined carbohydrates), nuts and chocolate.

Fight herpes naturally

1. food supplements

• Antiviral herbs: These include elderberry, marigold, coneflower (echinacea), garlic, tragacanth (astragalus) and licorice root.
• L-lysine (1000 mg three times a day): L-lysine is helpful for treating and preventing outbreaks.
• Lemon balm extract: apply externally as a cream to support the healing process.
• Vitamin C (1000 mg daily): Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and alleviates herpes.
• Zinc (30 mg twice daily): Zinc strengthens the immune function, keeps the virus inactive and supports the regeneration of skin tissue for rapid wound healing.
• Vitamin B complex (50 mg daily): B vitamins support the body in coping with stress and can prevent outbreaks.

2. essential oils 

Essential oils can support the treatment of herpes.

These include:

• Clove oil
• Tea tree oil
• Myrrh

Tea tree oil is one of the most commonly used oils applied to the skin. This is due to its natural antiviral and antibacterial properties. Apply these essential oils to the affected areas of skin three times a day (not in the genital area! Please consult your doctor). However, use only a small amount (only one to three drops).

If you have sensitive skin, you should mix essential oils with a carrier oil to soften the strength a little. Suitable carrier oils include jojoba or coconut oil.

If you often suffer from mouth or lip sores, you can apply a homemade lavender and mint lip balm frequently. This can reduce the frequency of these outbreaks. Or you can make a mouthwash that you use regularly.

3. naturally relieve pain associated with herpes ulcers

If you suffer from herpes ulcers on/in your mouth or genital area, there are various options available to you to relieve the associated pain and strengthen the healing process.

How to combat herpes symptoms, irritation and pain:

• Do not touch: Do not touch open blisters with bare hands during or before an outbreak. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after touching the areas.
• Do not kiss: Do not kiss anyone with open herpes blisters.
• Do not share anything: Do not drink from the same cup or glass and do not use the same cutlery as others. Also, do not use the same toothbrush, lip balm or third-party make-up products to reduce the risk of transmission. As soon as the blisters have healed, you should get a new toothbrush. It is possible that residue may remain on the brush for a certain period of time and infect you again.
• Soothe irritation: You can soothe irritations with a mild organic soap and warm water. Do not pick at the blisters or try to burst them.
• Use the right products: Do not apply commercially available anti-itch creams, Vaseline, ointments or other products. These can make the swelling worse. Instead, use natural essential oils (see above) to provide relief.
• Heat brings relief: If herpes blisters cause pain, press a warm towel against the area. This relieves the pain. A warm bath or shower is also helpful, so that the affected areas of skin are warmed.
• Beware of transmission: Use different towels for different areas - one for open ulcers in the genital area, another for the blisters on the mouth. There is a risk of transmission from one part of the body to another. However, you can reduce the risk with this simple measure.

What is herpes?

Herpes, whether on the mouth or in the genital area, is caused by over 70 different viruses, all of which are related to each other. The viral infection causes small, fluid-filled blisters that form on the skin or mucous membranes. There are a total of eight different herpes simplex viruses that affect both children and adults.

However, two species are particularly common:

• HSV-1
• HSV-2

The most common cause of cold sores on the mouth is an infection with HSV-1. HSV-1 causes cold sores around the lips or mouth. Some people also refer to this rash as cold sores. It is possible to become infected with HSV-1 as a child and then carry the virus inactive for a long time. However, if the immune system is weakened at any time, an outbreak of the disease can occur.

HSV-2 is usually referred to as genital herpes because it usually causes a rash of blisters in the genital area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genital herpes is the leading cause of genital ulcers and affects one-third of all adults (although most are unaware that they are infected). Both conditions are highly contagious and can cause rashes on one or the other (or both) parts of the body.

Herpes - symptoms and signs

The diagnosis of "herpes" can be made when a doctor discovers visible herpes blisters and takes a sample. If the virus is currently inactive, a blood test can provide information about the number of antibodies present in the body. Such antibodies do not indicate herpes itself, but show how strong the immune system's response to the virus is. A sample can sometimes give false results. The blisters must be large enough to collect enough virus. If the outbreak is already coming to an end and the blisters are healing, it may be that there are no more viruses present.

The most common symptoms of herpes include

• Formation of one or more herpes blisters (vesicles) on the lips, in the mouth or in the genital area, on the buttocks and thighs.
• Symptoms of a type 1 herpes infection are also known as gingivostomatitis and affect the tongue, lips, gums, buccal mucosa and the hard and soft palate. Symptoms of a type 2 her pes infection usually occur on the base of the penis and the surrounding body region in men and on the vulva, vagina and cervix in women.
• Sometimes these are severe ulcers that are painful and burst, causing fluid to leak out.
• Sometimes a thin, white layer forms over the blisters in the mouth. A burning sensation may also occur during the healing process.
• The area around the blisters is often painful and irritated and shows other signs of irritation such as redness or swelling.
• Some people already notice when an outbreak is imminent. The affected area starts to itch.
• During an outbreak, some patients develop other symptoms similar to those of flu or a cold. These include tiredness, irritability, pain and a slight fever.

Herpes - causes and risk factors

The causes of herpes include the transmission of the virus through direct contact in combination with a weakened immune system and sometimes corresponding nutritional deficiencies.

The risk factors for transmission include

• kissing someone who is showing symptoms of an active herpes outbreak
• unprotected sexual intercourse (including oral sex)
• Sex with multiple partners (this is indicated by the high infection rate with both HSV-1 and HSV-2).
• Spreading the virus by touching the blisters with bare hands
• certain pre-existing conditions that weaken the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases or hepatitis
• Poor eating habits that cause nutritional deficiencies and a weak immune system
• Tobacco consumption, high alcohol consumption, drug abuse

As already mentioned, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are transmitted through direct contact. The corresponding viruses are found in the mouth or genital area or in the mucous membranes. They are transmitted through direct skin contact. Any direct contact with ulcers on the mouth, buttocks or in the genital area can lead to the virus being passed on.

HSV-1 is usually passed on orally. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted during oral or vaginal sex.

However, cases of genital herpes caused by HSV-1, the form that only causes cold sores in most people, have become increasingly common in recent times. Around 85 percent of all those affected with genital herpes are unaware of their condition. Studies show that about 50 percent of all new genital herpes infections in young adults are due to HSV-1, and 40 percent in older adults. As most people are unaware of their condition, they continue to pass on the virus unnoticed, leading to a sharp increase in new infections.

 

Conventional treatment options for herpes

For most people, the virus is little more than an inconvenience. However, there is a high risk for all those patients whose immune system is impaired and who are therefore unable to fight infections easily. In these people, for example HIV/AIDS patients, HSV infections are associated with increased mortality.

No vaccination against HSV-1 or HSV-2 is currently (as of 2017) available. (There is a vaccination against herpes zoster. However, despite the similar name, this is shingles. Shingles occurs when another virus, varicella zoster, is reactivated. This virus causes chickenpox).

Sometimes doctors prescribe medication to suppress herpes viruses or to promote the healing process of the blisters by reducing the bacteria that can cause infections.

These medications include

• Nucleoside analogs and antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir)
• Creams/ointments to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area of skin
• over-the-counter painkillers to relieve pain, tenderness or fever

However, you should always remember that even with early detection and treatment with prescription medication, the virus (of any kind) cannot be completely cured, so transmission is always possible. Viral medications do not always work in the long term and are not a cure-all.

However, the good news is that the first outbreak is likely to be the most severe. With each subsequent outbreak, you will develop more and more immunity to the virus. You can speed up this process by making appropriate lifestyle changes, avoiding unprotected sex and minimizing the risk of transmission. You can of course treat the symptoms themselves.

Herpes - facts and statistics

• According to the World Health Organization, two thirds of the world's population (approx. 67%) under the age of 50 are infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
• Overall, HSV-1 lies dormant in around 75 percent of all adults in the USA. About 20 to 30 percent carry HSV-2, the form that usually causes genital herpes.
• HSV-1 affects men and women in roughly equal proportions. Around 6 million women and 5 million men are newly infected with HSV-1 in the USA every year.
• Genital herpes (either due to an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection) affects slightly more women. Middle-aged women are at particularly high risk of contracting genital herpes.
• The transmission of HSV is usually accompanied by no symptoms. This is why up to 85 percent of all people affected by genital herpes are unaware of their infection. Many do not develop any symptoms at all. Only around 15 percent are diagnosed with HSV-2 in the course of their lives.
• Most herpes infections on the face are caused by HSV-1. Recently, however, HSV-2 infections have also become increasingly responsible.
• In industrialized countries, fewer and fewer children are becoming infected with the virus. This is largely due to better hygiene and living conditions.
• The incubation period after transmission is around one week. After that, either the first symptoms appear or the virus is in a dormant state.

Precautionary measures in the fight against herpes

After a herpes outbreak, the blisters take around 10-14 days to heal completely. During this time, the viruses are considered active. You should therefore avoid direct contact between the blister rash and others at all costs. If you still suffer from frequent herpes outbreaks after using the natural remedies described here, you should discuss with your doctor how you can get them under control. Sometimes the immune system is suppressed by another infection or virus or as a side effect of a medication. A doctor can confirm or rule out these possible causes.

If the blisters become inflamed and form pus, there is a serious infection. Discuss the situation with your doctor, especially if the rash is very painful or this is your first outbreak and you want to rule out other causes.

Please note that herpes on the mouth and in the genital area are sometimes treated differently. You should therefore consult your naturopath or doctor.

Key points: Fighting herpes

• Oral and genital herpes is a common disease that is transmitted through direct skin contact. HSV-1 is usually transmitted through direct oral contact, HSV-2 almost always through sexual contact.
• Both types can cause a vesicular rash and ulcers. However, many people do not notice any symptoms at all for a long time after infection.
• The greatest risk of infection is through touching the blisters of others, unprotected sexual intercourse and reduced immune function.
• There is no vaccination available against herpes. Herpes cannot be cured. However, natural remedies can keep the virus dormant, control symptoms and relieve pain during an outbreak.
• Herpes symptoms can be controlled by eating a healthy diet, consuming antiviral herbs and taking beneficial supplements. Essential oils relieve pain associated with cold sores.

Food for the supportive treatment of herpes

• Foods with plenty of L-lysine
• Oranges and red vegetables
• Fish from wild catches
• lean proteins
• Zinc

Other natural options for treating herpes symptoms

• Supplements: antiviral herbs, L-lysine, zinc and vitamin C
• essential oils: Clove, tea tree, myrrh
• Careful hygiene and natural remedies to relieve pain

 

Sources (in English):

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Huber, M. A. (2003, June). Herpes simplex type-1 virus infection. Quintessence International, 34(6):453-67 

Mahajan, B. B., Dhawan, M. & Singh, R. (2013, January-June). Herpes genitalis - Topical zinc sulfate: An alternative therapeuti and modality. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 34(1): 32–34, doi: 10.4103/2589-0557.112867

Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A. & Riley, T. V. (2006, January). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19(1): 50–62, doi: 10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006 

Sen, P. & Barton, S. E. (2007, May). Genital herpes and its management. BMJ,  334(7602): 1048–1052, doi: 10.1136/bmj.39189.504306.55

World Health Organization (2017, January). Herpes simplex virus. WHO International, Verfügbar unter: [https://www.who.int/health-topics/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus]