Some viral infections, such as a cold or the flu, are like bad party guests you can’t persuade to go home. They seem to hang around forever, although you know they will eventually leave. After a few weeks of misery, the cold and flu depart. But there are other viruses, notably herpes, which come to the party with a bedroll and tablecloth, planning to take up permanent residence.
There are a number of types of herpes. One is the common cold sore, which usually occurs before another, more aggressive virus, such as a cold, is going to take hold in the body. Cold sores on the lips are usually referred to as fever blisters. A cold sore is typically classified as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). A more serious kind of herpes is genital, sexually transmitted herpes, called herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Herpes zoster (shingles) is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (chicken pox). Herpes also can cause mononucleosis and meningitis, infect the eye, and increase the risk of HIV infection. For the numerous people who already have a diminished or compromised immune system, recurrent outbreaks of herpes can put a further strain on their immune reserves.
According to a 2014 fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of every six people aged 14 to 49 years, is infected with genital herpes. Women are affected twice as often as men are. It is estimated that as much as 90 percent of the population has been exposed to HSV-1. Over the past decade, the percent of Americans with herpes infection appears to have decreased.
Michele Picozzi, a health writer who specializes in natural medicine and the author of Controlling Herpes Naturally, points out that there is some controversy about the relationship between the two HSVs. There is no agreement on the status of “herpes simplex 1, which occurs, technically, above the waist, most often on the face or the lips, and simplex 2, which occurs below the waist. There is a body of evidence that they are actually different viruses, and they are classified as such. However, some researchers think they are both the same virus, which acts differently in different parts of the body. This would indicate that there is merely a herpes simplex 1 that is appearing at different sites.”
Herpes can be pervasive, persistent, painful, and embarrassing. It also represents a fairly serious health risk both to the individual and to the community because many people who have herpes, particularly genital herpes—that is, anywhere from 20 to 25 percent—don’t know they have the disease, since they don’t experience symptoms. Even without symptoms, they can transmit the disease. Herpes is very contagious, and it has no cure.
As Picozzi notes, “Herpes has remarkable staying power. Once you contract it, you have it for life. It never leaves the body. It lies dormant in the nerve endings at the base of the spine. Thus the possibility of infecting people over a lifetime is considerable if there are recurrent outbreaks.”
Some factors involving both food and emotional and physical states can cause herpes to recur, although the exact mechanism by which this happens remains a medical mystery.
According to Picozzi, “Stress is considered to be the number-one precursor to a herpes outbreak, and this applies to all types of stress: emotional, mental, or physical. Physical stress would include such things as overexertion, exercising too long, exercising in the sun, and doing a type of exercise for which your body is not ready. For example, you may be lifting weights and trying to increase your weight load. That may put a strain on the body. Stress inhibits the production of interferon, the body’s antiviral agent. That’s important, because herpes is a virus. Stress also inhibits the body from creating antibodies to fight off infection.”
Certain foods have been found to cause herpes recurrences. These are primarily foods high in the amino acid arginine, including chocolate, peanuts, sunflower seeds, soy, and coconut. There are also some foods that raise the acidity of the blood. A high blood acidity level can irritate soft tissues, which is usually where herpes appears. These foods are sugar—that is, processed sugar—white flour, and red meats.
Exposure to strong sunlight—ultraviolet B (UVB)—has been shown to be a major factor in causing facial herpes, that which occurs on the lips, around the nose, or on other parts of the face.
Some people have a recurrence of facial herpes because there has been a trauma to the skin, for example, when they have dental work. Some people have a sensitive mouth, so just the friction of the dentist working in that area can cause the virus to recur.
Also implicated are seasonal changes, particularly the transitions from winter to spring and summer to fall, when the body goes through certain adjustments and detoxifying periods. This can also cause herpes to recur, depending on how well you are taking care of yourself at that particular time.
Genital herpes can be sexually transmitted, and pregnant women can transmit the virus to their unborn children. Moreover, prescription drugs that lower immunity, such as antibiotics, steroids, and antidepressants, can set off an attack.
About 50 percent of people who have recurrent infections of herpes virus experience warning signs. Medically, these signs are known as a prodrome. These sensations are usually experienced in the area where a previous infection has occurred.
Picozzi explains, “The most common of these is a tingling or an itching, twitching sensation. Some people feel heat or a crawling beneath the skin, or ‘pins and needles.’ Some feel as if they are coming down with the flu. They feel fatigued. Their lymph glands are swollen, and they have other muscular aches and pains throughout the body. These signals from the brain can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few days.”
She describes some recent work on the emotional triggers of an outbreak: “The most interesting thing I have found in researching herpes is the mind-body connection. Most people with genital herpes will tell you that for them, stress is the biggest precursor for an outbreak. I have found that this connection goes even deeper. I call it the overlooked psychological connection.
Genital herpes causes surface sores on the skin and the lining of the genital area. In women, sores can appear on the cervix, vagina, or perineum and may be accompanied by a discharge or vaginal blisters. There is often a burning sensation, especially at the onset of an outbreak. Other symptoms may include urinary problems, fever, and lymphatic swelling. Intercourse is painful and should be avoided during an outbreak to prevent transmission. HSV-2 occurs intermittently and usually lasts five to seven days.
As the name implies, facial or oral herpes tends to attack the skin and mucous membranes on the face, particularly around the mouth and nose. These cold sores tend to appear as pearllike blisters. Although they don’t last very long, they can be irritating and painful. Herpes zoster, the result of the varicella zoster virus, causes agonizing blisters on one side of the body, usually on the chest or abdomen. Pain is usually felt before effects are seen, the result of overly sensitive skin covering the affected nerve. The symptoms may last from a few days to several weeks.
There is no conventional medical cure for herpes, although drugs are commonly given to lessen symptoms. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir may be used to decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of genital herpes outbreaks. Herpes medications have many potential side effects, including dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, general weakness, fatigue, ill health, sore throat, fever, insomnia, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding of the gums. In 2000, the FDA approved Abreva (docosanol 10 percent cream) as the first over-the-counter treatment for cold sores.
Herpes sufferers will be glad to learn that natural remedies are often highly effective in shortening the length of outbreaks and diminishing their frequency. Here are some of the important ones to know about.
When herpes strikes, it is always a good idea to rest and eat lightly. Short fruit fasts, with plenty of pure water and cleansing herbal teas, can be very helpful. Good herbs to include are sage, rosemary, cayenne, echinacea, goldenseal, red clover, astragalus, and burdock root. Beneficial bacteria, such as those found in nondairy yogurt and in supplements containing lactobacillus and acidophilus, support the digestive processes necessary for the maintenance of the immune system. Other nutrients that directly enhance the immune system include garlic, quercetin, zinc gluconate, buffered vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Bee propolis is anti-inflammatory, while B vitamins combat stress. Also good are bee pollen, blue-green algae, and pycnogenol.
Dr. Steven Whiting, author of The Complete Guide to Optimal Wellness, has spent a great deal of time looking at the value of lysine. “Lysine is an isolated form of an amino acid. Herpes, like so many viruses, requires complete protein in which to replicate. The lysine molecule mimics the virus’s favorite protein structure, yet it is missing several bonds that are vitally important to the virus’s lifestyle. When you increase lysine in the blood, the herpes virus attaches itself quite quickly to the molecule, and then it is too late. It is unable to replicate. You can shorten the outbreak of herpes down to a matter of a few hours with this treatment. In fact, if you catch it soon enough, you can keep the outbreak from occurring.”
Dr. Whiting recommends a full-spectrum program for the management of herpes. “First take vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and should be used in the presence of all viral infections. Take 2,000 milligrams as a minimum per day. Vitamin E used topically, for example, on the lips, will relieve pressure and irritation quite rapidly. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps prevent crosslinkage at the outbreak. Take zinc, 100 milligrams per day, and copper, 2 milligrams per day. Acidophilus is certainly very important in any viral condition because of the die-off of the viral material, which eventually has to be processed in the colon. Take four to six capsules once or twice a day. Finally, and most important, is L-lysine, which can be purchased at your health food store in isolated form. In order to achieve saturation at the cellular level, you’ll need 1 to 3 grams a day, but take that only for an actual outbreak.”
However, as Picozzi notes, lysine is not useful for everyone. “Some people don’t do as well as others using lysine alone to control herpes. Some dietary supplement manufacturers have come out with formulas containing lysine with some supporting herbs and vitamins that some people may find more effective.”
Nervous system stressors, such as caffeine, alcohol, and hard-to-digest foods such as meat, should be avoided, especially at the onset of an attack. Foods high in the amino acid arginine, such as chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, and onions, are also associated with higher incidences of outbreaks.
Since stress promotes outbreaks, it is important to make time for activities that alleviate tension. Among the many possibilities are biofeedback, yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and exercise.
Toothbrushes should be changed frequently and completely dried before reuse to prevent reinfection. Soaking them in baking soda also fights germs.
Picozzi also sees herbs as an important part of the treatment. “Some herbs are very good for building and maintaining immunity. They include echinacea and licorice root, both of which have been shown to have interferon-like properties. Echinacea also has some antiseptic qualities. It helps the body regulate the glandular system.”
Also recommended is goldenseal, which is very important because it regulates liver function and in addition is reported to cleanse and dry the mucous membranes, the site where herpes often appears.
Siberian and American ginseng are invaluable in helping the body boost its resistance to stress and infection because they support the adrenal glands and the nervous system.
Tarragon is good because it contains caffeic acid, which has been found to prevent herpes. Tarragon has been shown to be beneficial for fatigue, particularly when taken in combination with lemon balm. Lemon balm has become very popular for both internal and topical use. It’s best taken as a tea, two to four cups a day.
Herbs should only be taken for short periods, say one or two weeks, and under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
According to Dr. Erika Price, a practitioner of classical homeopathy and holistic healing, the following remedies may prove extremely helpful for cold sores:
NATRUM MURIATICUM—When sores are on the lips, especially in the middle of the lips, the 30c potency of this remedy should be taken twice a day.
PHOSPHORUS—Cold sores that manifest above the lips, accompanied by itching, cutting, and sharp pain, should be treated with the 30c potency of phosphorus twice a day.
PETROLEUM—For cold sores that erupt in patches and become crusty and loose around the lips and mouth, Petroleum is indicated. A 9c potency is needed three times a day.
APIS—Apis helps cold sores around the mouth and lips that are accompanied by stinging; it also helps painful blisters that itch and burn. A 6c potency is needed three to four times daily.
The following remedies may be helpful for female genital herpes:
NATRUM MURIATICUM—This remedy is indicated when the herpetic lesions are pearllike blisters and the genital area feels puffy, hot, and very dry. A 6c potency, four times a day, may be beneficial.
DULCAMARA (BITTERSWEET)—Women who tend to get a herpes outbreak in clusters on the vulva or the hair follicles around the labia and vulva every time they catch a cold or get their period probably need Dulcamara in a 12c potency two to three times a day.
PETROLEUM—Petroleum may be beneficial if herpes eruptions form in patches and the sores become deep red and feel tender and moist. Outbreaks usually occur during menstrual periods, and most often affect the perineum, anus, labia, or vulva. A 9c potency should be taken three times a day
The following remedies may be helpful for shingles:
ARSENICUM ALBUM—This remedy benefits most cases of shingles, especially when the individual feels worse in the cold, worse after midnight, and better with warmth. If taken at the onset of an attack, it is best in a 30c potency twice a day for two to three days. After the first three days, it is indicated if there is a burning sensation in the areas that were affected by the zoster eruptions (typically the chest and abdomen). At this point 12c, taken two to three times a day, is best. This remedy is excellent for getting rid of the burning sensation that is often present.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM (ST. JOHN’S WORT)—This is a wonderful remedy for any kind of nerve pain. It is indicated whenever there is intense neuritis and neuralgia with burning, tingling, and numbness along the course of the affected nerves. Take this remedy in a 30c potency, two to three times a day, as needed.
The use of essential oils has recently gained popularity in the United States, where they are used widely in skin and body care products. However, the medicinal value of certain oils has long been accepted in other countries, particularly France, where in many instances, their antimicrobial properties make them an acceptable replacement for drug therapy.
Aromatherapist Valerie Cooksley, author of Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils, says that pure essential oils, properly used, can heal cold and canker sores. One mouthwash she recommends combines 5 drops each of peppermint, bergamot, and tea tree oil with raw honey, which is used as a carrier. This is important, as oils do not mix with water. The mixture is then added to a strong sage or rosemary tea. Rinsing with the formula several times a day balances the pH of the mouth and helps heal infections. Using this daily may even prevent outbreaks.
Additional spot treatments alleviate pain and restore health. One that Cooksley recommends involves dabbing a cotton swab with myrrh oil and applying it directly onto cold and canker sores. Another aromatherapist, Sharon Olson, dabs a cotton swab with diluted tea tree oil and places it on the cold sore to kill the virus. She follows this up later with lavender, which soothes the sore and stimulates the growth of new skin. The addition of fresh aloe vera gel further promotes healing. A side benefit of the therapy is its ability to lift the spirits. “When I get a cold sore, I get depressed,” reveals Olson, “so I usually inhale some rosemary or basil to lift my spirits and clear my mind.”
An increasing body of evidence is showing the benefits of natural modalities to overall health and well-being. Following is a sample of recent peer-reviewed scientific studies on herpes.
An article published on the Life Extension website noted that although more research needs to be done, bioidentical progesterone may offer some protection against vaginal HSV-2 infection. In Antiviral Research, a 2012 study found that zinc oxide prevented HSV-2 from entering cells, and a 2011 report indicated that the natural cardenolide, glucoevatromonoside, isolated from a Brazilian cultivar of Digitalis lanata, inhibited HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication at very low concentrations. Bee propolis was shown in 2010 research in Phytomedicine to have antiviral activity against HSV-2.