HERPES

HERPES HAS NO CURE, AND THERE'S no vaccination or immunity against it. Although symptoms disappear, the virus remains contagious and lies dormant in nerve cells, reactivating in response to stress, sunlight or other causes. It's a secret you can usually hide: up to 70 per cent of infected people show no symptoms. So, if you're among the non-monogamous sexually active, there's no telling which partner might have given you herpes. You certainly don't want to give it to anyone else.

Genital herpes is caused by a virus: herpes simplex type 2. It is diagnosed by smears or cell cultures. The first sign of infection is usually tingling or itching of the genital area or anus, followed by painful sores, swollen lymph nodes, sore muscles and headaches. The first outbreak can last up to two weeks. Later outbreaks usually last four or five days; blisters heal in one to three weeks.
Factors that can trigger herpes outbreaks in addition to stress and sun exposure include weakened immunity, diet, surgery, skin rashes, menstruation, hormonal fluctuations and prolonged sexual activity.

Unfortunately, while antiviral drugs may reduce the chances of infecting others, they can't eliminate them. And those who have genital herpes may be infectious at times when they're not aware of an outbreak.

TOPICAL HERPES TREATMENT
If the alcohol of this tincture stings too much, substitute glycerites or infused oils of the same herbs.
1/2 teaspoon St John's wort tincture
1/2 teaspoon liquorice root tincture
5 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops myrrh essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a glass botle. Label the bottle. Shake the solution well, then apply directly to herpes lesions up to three times per day.

DRUG TREATMENT

Oral Antiviral Drugs
Aciclovir (Zovirax), valaciclovir (Valtrex). Function: inhibit (but not eliminate) the herpes simplex virus to shorten the duration of outbreaks and reduce the risk of infecting others. Side effects: loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, confusion.

Analgesics
Aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol. Function: relieve pain. Aspirin side effects: heartburn, mild nausea, vomiting. Ibuprofen side effects: dizziness, stomach ache, nausea, headache, diarrhoea. Paracetamol side effects: long-term use or higher dosages may damage the liver or kidneys.

Topical Anaesthetics
Lignocaine (Xylocaine). Function: numbs the lesion. Side effects: possible
allergic reactions.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
This antiviral herb has recently shown its potential for accelerating the healing of herpes sores, especially when treatment is started early in the outbreak. Because it's also a mild sedative, lemon balm may help you sleep if the pain of an outbreak is keeping you awake. Typical dosage: 25 to 40 drops of tincture two times per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 1/4 to 4 teaspoons of dried leaf in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes). In addition, you can apply a commercial lemon balm cream or ointment to the sores three or four times per day. Other effective herbs to look for in topical lemon balm products: aloe vera, calendula, camomile and plantain.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida)
This herb is useful in any condition involving the immune system. Begin taking echinacea as soon as you feel an outbreak beginning; continue for up to two weeks. Typical dosage: up to nine 300- to 400-milligram capsules per day; or 60 drops of tincture three times per day.

St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
A well-known virus fighter and wound healer, St John's wort can be used in several ways to fight herpes. Typical dosage: 300 milligrams in capsules three times per day; or 15 to 40 drops of tincture three times per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 minutes). To use externally, apply a compress made with the tea to the cold sores three times per day. You can also apply an infused oil or tincture of the flowering tops to active lesions. Caution: may cause increased reactions to sun exposure. Do not use St John's wort internally if you are taking an antidepressant drug or L-dopa.

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
In studies, liquorice inactivates the herpes simplex virus. It also has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. When an outbreak first occurs, you can take commercial products that contain liquorice extract or apply a liquorice compress or poultice several times per day. Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea per day (steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried, chopped root in 1/4 litre of hot water for 15 minutes); or up to six 400- or 500-milligram capsules per day; or 20 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times per day.
Caution: do not use liquorice internally for longer than six weeks. Do not take it at all if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, take diuretics (water tablets) or digoxin, or if you're pregnant.

HERPES IMMUNE SYSTEM TINCTURE
Blending your own tinctures is easy to do; you simply purchase commercial
tinctures and blend them in a dark glass bottle. You can blend larger amounts of the tinctures in this recipe; just keep the proportions the same.
1/2 teaspoon echinacea tincture
1/2 teaspoon St John's wort tincture
1/2 teaspoon bupleurum tincture
1/2 teaspoon liquorice tincture
1/2 teaspoon barberry tincture
Combine the tinctures. Take one dropperful of the mix four to six times per day as soon as you feel symptoms of an outbreak coming on and for as long as it continues.

THREE QUICK, EASY REMEDIES
Got teabags on hand? How about aloe or vitamin E? Here are three quick, easy ways to quell the sting of a herpes lesion.
· Apply a damp bag of black tea. Steep it in hot water a few moments to allow the tiny pieces of leaves to unfurl; let it cool and place on the lesion.
· Pop open a vitamin E capsule. Apply the oil to lesions to ease the itch and
promote healing.
· Use pure aloe vera gel. It's as good for any minor skin wound as it is for kitchen burns. Slice open a leaf, scoop out the fresh gel and apply, or purchase a bottled pure aloe vera product.
day.

 

FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS TO MANAGE HERPES
To minimise herpes outbreaks, limit foods containing the amino acid arginine. That means avoiding chocolate, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts and peanut butter.
Another amino acid, lysine, may help prevent outbreaks. Get your lysine by eating plenty of turkey, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and wheat germ. You can also take lysine in capsule form. Typical dosage: 3,000 milligrams of lysine per day for 3 months, then 1,000 milligrams per day to prevent outbreaks.
Meanwhile, take zinc at the first sign of an outbreak to limit its length and severity. Typical dosage: 30 to 60 milligrams during the outbreak and for several days after. You can also apply cream or ointment containing zinc sulphate to the sores.