Natural Herbs and Supplements for Genital Herpes
 

Herpes is a very common infection caused by two different but closely related viruses — herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both are easy to catch and have similar symptoms. And both can occur on different parts of the body. When the infection is on the mouth, it is called oral herpes. When it is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes.

Herpes simplex virus infections has plagued humanity since ancient times, causing skin infections such as herpes labialis and genital herpes. Disease symptoms often interfere with every-day activities and occasionally herpes simplex virus infections are the cause of life-threatening or sight-impairing disease, especially in neonates and the immuno-compromised patient population. After infection the virus persists for life in neurons of the host in a latent form, periodically reactivating and often resulting in significant psychosocial distress for the patient.

Natural Genital Herpes Treatment
I am not aware of a natural genital herpes cure, however I have come across some herbs and nutrients that have been studied in this condition. To keep your immune system at its best, try to have low stress, get deep sleep, and eat a healthy diet. See diet for suggestions.

Astragalus may be helpful. In a test tube study, astragalus was found to have anti herpes simplex virus activity.
Prunella vulgaris herb
L Lysine amino acid

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Pharmaceutical genital herpes treatment
The CDC has established that three oral antiviral drugs are recommended for the treatment of genital herpes infection: acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir medications.

Genital Herpes Symptom
Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3 to 7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Genital herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops." Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Genital herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people, however, the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.

Medical Genital Herpes Treatment with Medication
Currently no cure is available for genital herpes. So far, vaccines, ILs, IFNs, therapeutic proteins, antibodies, immunomodulators and small-molecule drugs with specific or non-specific modes of action lacked either efficacy or the required safety profile to replace the nucleosidic drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir and famciclovir as the first choice of treatment. The recently discovered inhibitors of the HSV helicase-primase are the most potent development candidates today. These antiviral agents act by a novel mechanism of action and display low resistance rates in vitro and superior efficacy in animal models.
     Genital herpes is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the USA. While sometimes mild in severity, it can be a distressing and painful chronic condition. Likewise, herpes labialis and herpes zoster can be both physically and psychologically painful. While there is no cure for these conditions, treatment to alleviate symptoms, suppress recurrences and reduce transmission has been drastically improved over the past 20 years with the use of guanine nucleoside antivirals, such as valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex), GlaxoSmithKline) the highly bioavailable prodrug of acyclovir (Zovirax((R)), GlaxoSmithKline), and famciclovir (Famvir, Novartis), a highly bioavailable prodrug of penciclovir (Denavir, Novartis).
     Patient-initiated, single-day treatment with the antiviral drug famciclovir is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for recurrent genital herpes,. For this to work the medication had to be started within six hours of the development of a recurrence. The current approved regimen for the drug is 125 milligrams twice daily for five days. Other approved antiviral drug regimens include valacyclovir twice daily for three days, and Zovirax five times a day for one day.

Genital Herpes in Women
For women with genital herpes, taking oral contraceptives can double the likelihood of actively shedding the virus and so passing on the infection. The risk is also roughly doubled when women have bacterial vaginosis -- vaginal infection characterized by heavy discharge -- or when the vagina is colonized by group B strep.

Genital Herpes Statistics
A national survey of the US population conducted between 1988 and 1994 found that more than one in five people over 12 had blood tests that showed evidence for infection with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV 2), the virus typically responsible for genital herpes. This represents a 30 percent increase from 1976-1980. There is also evidence that genital infections with HSV 1, which normally causes cold sores around the mouth, are on the rise.

Genital herpes recurrence
Recurrent episodes of genital herpes are milder and shorter in duration than initial outbreaks. However the frequency of recurrences is greater than had been thought in the past, because of asymptomatic shedding.

Genital Herpes Research Update
A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).
Phytomedicine 2000 Mar;7(1):1-6
Ninety men and women with recurrent genital HSV type 2 participated in a randomized, single-blind, masked investigator, controlled multi-centre study comparing the efficacy of ointment of Canadian propolis containing natural flavonoids with ointments of acyclovir and placebo (vehicle) on healing ability and capacity to remedy symptoms. Thirty individuals were randomized to each group. Treatment was intended to start in the blister phase. All participants had HSV type 2 isolated, confirmed by serum immunoglobulin levels. The participants were examined on the 3rd, 7th and 10th days of treatment by gynaecologists, dermatovenerologists or urologists at seven different medical centres. Apart from clinical symptoms the number and size of the herpetic lesions were noted. At each examination the lesions were classified into four stages: vesicular, ulcerated, crusted and healed. The study ointments were applied to affected areas four times daily. In women with vaginal or cervical lesions a tampon with the appropriate ointment was inserted four times daily for 10 days. Endpoint variables were healing time and time until loss of symptoms. RESULTS: On Day 10, 24 out of 30 individuals in the propolis group had healed. In the acyclovir group 14 out of 30 and in the placebo group 12 out of 30 had healed. The healing process appeared to be faster in the propolis group. In the propolis group 15 individuals had crusted lesions on Day 3 compared to 8 individuals in the acyclovir group and none in the placebo group. On Day 7, 10 participants in the propolis group, 4 in the acyclovir group and 3 in the placebo group had healed. At the initial examination all patients had local symptoms and 28% general symptoms. At Day 3, 3 patients in the propolis group had local symptoms compared to 8 and 9 in the acyclovir and placebo groups respectively. Of the women, 66% had vaginal superinfections of microbial pathogens at the initial examination. In the acyclovir and placebo groups no change in the vaginal flora was found following treatment whereas in the propolis group the incidence of superinfection was reduced by 55%. (p = 0.10 n.s.). CONCLUSION: An ointment containing flavonoids appeared to be more effective than both acyclovir and placebo ointments in healing genital herpetic lesions, and in reducing local symptoms.

Many laboratories in the US are using outdated and inaccurate blood tests for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2, often without the knowledge of the ordering physician. As part of its test proficiency program, the College of American Pathologists recently sent 172 participating laboratories a sample of blood that was positive for HSV-1 antibodies and negative for HSV-2 antibodies. While virtually all of the laboratories accurately detected HSV-1 in the sample, more than half incorrectly reported that the sample was positive for HSV-2 antibodies.

Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis.
Dermatologica. 1987;175(4):183-90.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of oral L-lysine monohydrochloride for the prevention and treatment of recurrent herpes simplex (HSV) infection was conducted. The treatment group was given L-Lysine monohydrochloride tablets (1,000 mg L-lysine per dose) 3 times a day for 6 months. A total of 27 (6 male and 21 female) subjects on L-lysine and 25 (6 male and 19 female) subjects on placebo completed the trial. The L-lysine treatment group had an average of 2.4 (p less than 0.05) less HSV infections, symptoms were significantly (p less than 0.05) diminished in severity and healing time was significantly reduced (p less than 0.05). L-Lysine appears to be an effective agent for reduction of occurrence, severity and healing time for recurrent HSV infection.

Genital Herpes questions
Q. Are graviola and mangosteen helpful for genital herpes?
   A. I have not come across such studies.

Q. I am looking for a natural treatment for Genital Herpes .I am a 57 years old man. Please tell me if you have any formula which I can take all the time or as you direct to protect outbreaks.
   A. Research in the field of genital herpes treatment with herbs and nutrients has hardly started, therefore I don't know of any proven herbs or herbal combination that works.

Q. i have found that astragalus root does help with genital herpes. i have been taking this for years now and i have not had an outbreak since.