Herpes: Natural Remedies

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Herpes: What it is

Herpes simplex is a virus that causes contagious infections at the mouth (the lips are particularly involved because they are more sensitive), of the face and genitals: in this article we will examine the possible natural remedies to lighten the infection caused by Herpes simplex .

Although it is shown that the virus remains hidden inside the body for life, and that not even a pharmacological treatment is able to eradicate it definitively, some natural remedies can be a good aid to reduce the symptoms caused by Herpes simplex, speeding up the resolution, albeit temporary, of the infection.

Causes

Causes and Risk Factors of Herpes

In general, Herpes simplex infections occur when the immune system weakens: in this regard, natural remedies will have to do their work by strengthening first the immune system.

Once the virus has entered the body and developed the infection, despite the treatments, it is never completely eradicated, but remains latent in the body where, however, the immune system is able to keep it under control.

However, when the immune defenses of the individual suffer a decline, Herpes is able to give rise to a new infection accompanied by its typical clinical manifestations.

The infection can manifest itself after pharmacological treatments, especially with antibiotics, or represent the consequence of prolonged exposure to the sun: in both cases, the immune system is fragile, because it is weakened and sensitive. Obviously, genetic factors and autoimmune diseases can also trigger the typical manifestations of Herpes simplex.

Furthermore, Herpes infection can manifest itself in coincidence with particular situations and conditions, such as:

• Periods of strong psycho-physical stress;
• Cooling diseases;
• Trauma;
• Hormonal alterations.

Herbal preparations

Herbal medicine offers an abundance of natural preparations to counter Herpes simplex infections . For example, some remedies can be adopted, such as the topical application of lip sticks or creams, formulated with vegetable-derived products, or again, you can resort to taking tablets with natural active ingredients, in order to eradicate the Herpes from the inside, strengthening the immune system.

Sticks and creams are symptomatic natural remedies, which means that their use is useful when Herpes simplex infection occurs; tablets, on the other hand, being a systemic product, can be used to prevent seasonal disorders.

Below are some examples of natural products that can be used to counter and prevent Herpes simplex infections. Among these, we find sticks and creams in which eudermic, anti-infective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and immunostimulant substances are introduced.

Even the natural tablets must ensure the same actions: obviously, however, they do not foresee the presence of drugs with eudermic activity, considering that they act from within.

Lip stick

Natural lip stick for Herpes

The lipstick formulated in this way is a natural remedy for daily use, useful not only to reduce the disorder caused by Herpes simplex, but also to prevent relapses. The herbalist will be able to recommend an application of the product, on the lips and on the surrounding areas, for two or three times during the course of the day; in case of sun exposure, it is advisable to apply the herbal preparation more frequently.

• Shea butter ( Butyrospermum parkii ) and carnauba wax (obtained from Copernicia cerifera ): the choice of these natural remedies for stick preparation is useful for coating the product giving it emollient and protective properties. Furthermore, considering that the herbal preparation must remain solid at room temperature (to be applied to the lips), the use of carnauba wax is particularly indicated to give stability and structure the stick.
• Porphyra umbilicalis : it is a red alga, better known as "nori" , rich in mucilage. This natural product is found in a herbal formulation against Herpes, not so much for its ability to fight the virus, but rather to protect the skin affected by desquamation (a symptom that follows the attack of the virus). In the nori algae, there are abundant quantities of gamma-linolenic acid, indispensable for regenerating the phospholipids of the fibroblast membrane. The application of a nori-based product makes the skin softer and has a good soothing action. Porphyra is an excellent natural remedy even for eczema.
• Chamomile ( Chamomilla recutita ): it is a natural remedy effective in curbing the propagation of the Herpes simplex and calming inflammation. The bisabolol, in particular, exerts a consistent anti-inflammatory activity with local action: in fact the bisabolol is decidedly selective towards the virus.
• Propolis : a natural apiary remedy characterized by a mix of bioflavonoids (pinocembrin and galangin in particular) which, acting in synergy with phenylpropanes, contribute to the antimicrobial and disinfectant action. Propolis is a very effective natural antibacterial. The immunostimulatory action of echinacea is enhanced by propolis, due to the presence of flavonoids and vitamin C. Although propolis is an excellent product for the treatment of herpes simplex, it should be remembered that occasionally it could lead to dryness at the level of the lips . On the other hand, considering that propolis is an active substance inserted in a lipophilic-based product (due to the presence of shea butter and carnauba wax, above all), propolis is almost unlikely to dry the skin around the lips. The only problematic factor associated with propolis is the possible allergenic effect in sensitive individuals.
• Beta-sitosterol : extracted from soya oil ( Glycine max L. ), Beta-sitosterol belongs to the class of phytosterols and is found in all vegetables; the soya is particularly rich. Beta-sitosterol is associated with a possible immunostimulatory activity, although not yet fully demonstrated.

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Tablets

Natural Herpes Tablets

Some natural treatments for Herpes simplex are used to fight the virus from within, acting systemically. Natural tablets, in general, are used as a prevention in seasonal disorders, but can be used in association with locally-acting products. The herbalist should advise taking the tablets with plenty of water to stimulate kidney function. The recommended doses should never be exceeded, as unpleasant side effects may occur (even if the remedy is natural), such as nausea, vomiting, hypertension.

• Grapefruit seeds ( Citrus x paradisi ): many therapeutic properties are attributed to grapefruit seeds, including remarkable antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal activity, thanks to naringin, pinene, citral, limonene, linalool, vitamin C and vitamin B1.
• Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ): glycyrrhetinic acid, extracted from licorice root, is characterized by antifungal and antiviral properties. Indeed, recent studies have highlighted the ability of glycyrrhetinic acid to counteract the development of herpes simplex and its replication. Furthermore, liquorice has anti-radical properties, as well as antioxidants: in stressful conditions - which favor the attack of Herpes - the endogenous antioxidant system is weakened and licorice enhances the antioxidant effect.
• Melissa ( Melissa officinalis ): it should not seem strange that a natural remedy such as lemon balm is inserted into a product to combat Herpes simplex. In fact, the balm does not only exert anxiolytic and calming activity (the most recognized activities to drugs): due to the presence of phenylpropanes and phenols, it also exerts powerful antiviral activities. It should be remembered that stress also stands out among the causes that trigger Herpes: in this regard, lemon balm is a good natural remedy not only for the antiviral properties that directly affect the Herpes, but also for the ability to reduce the stress; consequently, the virus is also damaged indirectly, ie internally, precisely in the cause that triggers it (stress).

Another good natural remedy for lemon balm is elm, which relieves burning and itching in the area affected by the herpes simplex .

Other remedies

The following are additional natural remedies that can be used to combat and / or prevent Herpes virus infections.

Echinacea

Echinacea ( Echinacea angustifolia ) is a highly effective natural remedy, thanks to phenylpropanes which promote the anti-infective, antiviral and immunostimulatory action. Unfortunately, however, the active ingredients of the drug do not record high lipophilicity, which means that the echinacea's active ingredients are very soluble in hydrophilic solvent and little in the oils: the stick, therefore, is not the ideal herbal preparation to convey the active substances .

However, it may be useful to apply echinacea-based ointments to the herpetic lesion. Alternatively, echinacea supplements can be taken in order to strengthen the immune system, thus exercising a preventive action.

Essential oil of Melaleuca

The essential oil of melaleuca ( Melaleuca alternifolia ) - also known as Tea tree oil - is a natural product with anti-inflammatory and germicidal properties. Generally, for the treatment of herpes, it is recommended to apply a few drops of oil directly on the herpetic lesion, even two or three times a day. Since it does not irritate the mucous membranes, it can also be used on the lips.

Calendula

The essential oil of calendula ( Calendula officinalis ) has antiviral, antibacterial and even antifungal properties.

In addition to this, calendula extracts also have emollient, soothing and re-epithelizing activities, very useful for restoring normal skin conditions affected by herpetic lesions.

In case of Herpes infections, it is possible to apply the oil (a few drops) directly on the lesions. Alternatively, the market offers a wide range of calendula-based lipstick, ointments and gels.

Burdock

Burdock ( Arctium lappa ) is a plant with known and confirmed antibacterial properties that, however, can do nothing against viral infections.

However, the use of this plant can be useful against herpetic lesions due to its anti-inflammatory, healing and eudermic properties.

Most of the properties of the plant are attributed to the essential oil, to the lignans and to the sesquiterpenes contained in it, but its chemical composition is very varied and includes numerous other substances, among which we remember the triterpenes, the phytosterols, the tannins, the polyenes and inulin.

Burdock can be used as a remedy against herpetic lesions in the acute phase through the preparation of an infusion with which to perform compresses directly on the area affected by Herpes.

Aloe

It has been shown that both the aloe extract ( Aloe vera and Aloe ferox ), and the gel obtained from this plant are able to reduce the size and facilitate the healing of lesions caused by genital Herpes infections.

Aloe, in fact, contains a wide variety of active substances that give it anti-inflammatory, healing and immunostimulating properties. Aloe-emodin - an anthraquinone glycoside contained in aloe juice - has also shown to be able to exert an antiviral action against Herpes simplex .

However, to promote the healing of herpetic lesions, it may be useful to apply aloe gel directly on the affected area (even several times a day).