At Health and Age, there is a list of common herbs used to improve herpes conditions. I have extracted some of the more commons ones here:

1. Aloe (Aloe vera)
Preliminary evidence suggests that aloe gel used topically may improve the symptoms of genital herpes. Whether this same use of aloe will apply to oral herpes lesions is not known, but it may be worth trying in order to reduce the length and severity of your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of using topical aloe vera for herpes lesions.

2. Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis)
Some studies suggest that topical ointments containing lemon balm may help heal herpes cold sores. In one study of 116 people with HSV, for example, those who applied lemon balm cream to their lip sores experienced significant improvement in redness and swelling after only two days. Although other symptoms (such as pain and scabbing) did not improve, both the participants and their physicians reported that the lemon balm ointment was highly effective. Several animal studies also support the value of topical lemon balm for oral herpes lesions.

3. Peppermint Oil (Mentha x piperita)
In test tubes, peppermint oil has exhibited antiviral properties against a number of infectious agents, including herpes. Whether this would translate into help for relieving herpes lesions is not known at this point.

4. Sage-Rhubarb Cream
In one Swiss study, a cream made from sage (Salvia officinialis) and rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) lessened the length of time that herpes lesions were present to the same extent as the medication acyclovir. More research on this topic would be helpful.

5. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus/Acanthopanax senticosus)
Although not all studies agree, one 6-month study of 93 people with HSV-2 (which, again, generally causes genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian ginseng reduced the frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. This herb should not be given to children and should not be taken if you have high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea (repeated, prolonged periods when breathing stops while sleeping), narcolepsy (frequent day time sleeping), are pregnant or breastfeeding.

6. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Use of tea tree oil, applied topically in gel form, has some popularity for herpes lesions on the lips. Although more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn, there is some scientific basis for this use. First, in test tubes, tea tree oil has the ability to fight both strains of herpes viruses (HSV 1 and HSV 2). Secondly, there has been one small study comparing use of tea tree oil gel to placebo in those with recurrent oral herpes. The herpes lesions of those who used the tea tree oil healed more quickly than those who used placebo. Studies of larger numbers of people are necessary, however, along with studies that compare tea tree oil to medications used for herpes.

To try to prevent herpes outbreaks, herbalists may also consider remedies that help strengthen your immune system or act as adaptogens (substances that help relieve stress).

There are lots of online communities where members support each other in their struggle with this disease. Herpes sufferers may want like to exchange notes with fellow sufferers to have a better understanding of using herbs on herpes skin.

Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

Relief from symptoms of herpes simple symptoms includes simple practices, home remedies, herbs and medications. It is also important to keep stress to a minimum as stress can stimulate herpes outbreaks.

For quick relief of herpetic sores and blisters, it not advised to make use of over-the-counter ointments or creams unless recommended by a physician. Most of these ointments and creams may only exacerbate the symptoms by smothering the lesions and preventing them to desiccate.

The cold sores must be kept clean and dry at all times. They should be thoroughly cleaned with soap, salt water or bicarbonate of soda. They should not be opened or skinned with fingernails or any other sharp instrument.

Cotton underwear must be used to allow airing and tight clothes must be avoided.

Others recommend drying of genitals with a hair dryer.

Some people advise compressing the blisters with vinegar and tepid water for ten minutes twice a day to hasten drying of the blisters.

To relieve pain, ice wrapped in a clean cloth or towel applied to the affected area for ten minutes and removed for five minutes is beneficial.

Especially soothing are warm baths two to three times everyday.

When going out, a non-stick dressing should be used to cover the lesions as sunlight aggravates the sores. Moreover, uncovered sores will be exacerbated by rubbing and open sores make possible viral transmission.

Herpes relief also includes improving the resistance of the sick person. Vitamin C and zinc are effective in hindering herpes outbreaks. Vitamin E relieves pain and shortens the duration of the symptoms. Beta-carotene reinforces the immune system and inhibits viruses. Lysine supplements are valuable in herpes relief as well as it deters the virus? activity. Lysine creams applied topically are also available. Lactobacillus acidophilus, the live microorganisms in yogurt, fight herpes as well.
Foods to be avoided include those rich in the amino acid arginine such as nuts, chocolate, seeds, oatmeal, raisins, etc.

Home remedies for herpes relief include carrot poultice (grated carrot wrapped in gauze or cloth) applied on the area as it can accelerate healing, alleviate pain and lessen glandular swelling.

Herbs beneficial for herpes relief include Solanum nigrum, olive leaf extract, lemon balm, lavender, hyssop, myrrh, sage, gentian, horsetail and many more. Drugs indicated for herpes relief include anti-virals, anti-inflammatories and pain killers.

Another form of relief is to share your experience with people in the same boat. Friendship can be very soothing stress-releaser.

by Kent Pinkerton. ~ Herpes provides detailed information on Genital Herpes, Herpes, Herpes And Pregnancy, Herpes Cure and more. Herpes is affiliated with Hepatitis C Treatments.

Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

Chocolate could have an influence on women herpes symptoms. Several articles published recently claim that chocolate is a health food superior even to green tea. A study in 2003 suggested that eating chocolate regularly could prolong your life span, and other studies suggest that it protects blood vessels. Chocolate may be an antioxidant and contain lots of polyphenols, but for people with herpes, chocolate is often a trigger.

Most studies on chocolate conclude that it is best to eat highly concentrated dark chocolate because it contains more antioxidant, polyphenols and minerals than other varieties and also because it usually contains less added sugar and fat.

Chocolate also contains ingredients which can suppress your immune system, such as metylxantil and small amounts of caffeine and refined sugar.

Its high arginine content gives fuel to herpes reproduction. So chocolate should be avoided by both men and women infected with herpes.

Menopausal women or those suffering from PMS should be extra careful about their chocolate intake. Chocolate can stimulate the production of certain prostaglandins, which are thought to promote PMS. Women with PMS are often advised to avoid beverages or foods (tea, coffee and chocolate) containing Xantine or melxantil in order to reduce nervousness, breast tenderness and irritability.

A 2002 laboratory study conducted in New Jersey suggested that prostaglandins inhibitors such as aspirin could prevent reproduction of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) virus and that may also be the case with the herpes virus.

Other small studies indicate that a certain type of prostaglandin (E2) exacerbates herpes virus proliferation while another (E1), suppresses it.

In other words, the action of chocolate on prostaglandin (E2) could promote herpes replication and especially in women during PMS and menopause. Body levels of prostaglandin (E1) decrease during PMS and menopause while other types of prostaglandins naturally increase.

This could mean that women who display high prostaglandin levels naturally experience more severe herpes symptoms and that eating chocolate could make things worse for them.

This theory is backed up by my personal experience, and that of my female readers. We are much more herpes-prone during the 7 to 12 days prior to menstruation or during the menopause. So avoiding chocolate a little prior to menstruation is essential. Dairy produce, can contribute to stimulating the production of prostaglandins so milk chocolate is even worse.

By Nathalie Foy

Nathalie Foy is an alternative treatment specialist. She is the author of Herpes Wise, a book which gives her unique step by step easy plan to cure genital herpes symptoms in 3 days and for life and answers most important questions about herpes testing, transmission, prevention and more. Visit her website at http://www.herpes-wise.com

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

1. What is herpes?

Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection.

2. What are the types?

There are generally two type of herpes – genital herpes and oral herpes. Genital herpes occur around the genital area while oral herpes appear around the mouth or face.

In medical terms, These are known as Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1 for short), and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (also known as HSV-2).

HSV-1 causes oral herpes, whilst the closely related infection HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Herpes is highly contagious, but it is most likely to be transmitted if the sufferer has open sores.

You can read “What is Herpes” for more information.

3. What are the symptoms of herpes?

If you have herpes the following symptoms are ones that you are most likely to experience:

Itching, painful bumps or blisters appearing in on the genitals, flu like symptoms, a burning sensation when urinating (as a result of urine flowing over the sores), difficulty urinating (this occurs in cases where blisters block the urethra), and open sores on the genitals.

Other symptoms of genital herpes include fever, chills, headache and swollen, tender lymph glands.

4. Does man and woman have the same infection pattern?

In men, the affected areas of genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks.

In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.

5. Is there any indication of a herpes outbreak?

Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.

6. Is herpes transmitted via sexual intercourse only?

Not everyone catches genital herpes through sexual intercourse, some actually catch it from cold sores, remember the two viruses that cause herpes are closely related.

7. How is herpes transmitted?

Herpes is spread through direct contact with the sores. People who have oral, vaginal and anal sex are prone to getting the infection. Even with no visible blisters, viral shedding can take place and many spread and acquire the disease unaware that they have.

8. What will confirm a herpes infection?

Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.

9. After being infected with the herpes virus, how soon will the sores appear?

Sores usually become apparent two to three weeks after the virus has entered the body.

10. What causes herpes flare-ups or recurring outbreaks?

Outbreaks can be caused by any event that causes an impaired immune system such as other infections, stress, surgery or other outside factors. They may also be associated with menstruation, sexual intercourse and skin irritations.

11. Does herpes make me prone to acquire other sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes. Open herpetic sores increase the odds of contracting other venereal diseases.

12. Do pregnant women with herpes transmit the virus to their baby?

Mothers may potentially pass on the virus to their baby. It is vital for a mother to be cautious to avoid the infection or to let herself and her partner be tested for the virus.

13. What are the symptoms of herpes inflection of a newborn child?
Newborns can catch herpes simplex from their mother during birth. If a newborn is infected with the virus, the following symptoms of infection may emerge during the first month after birth: irritability, breathing problems, fever, convulsions, jaundice (yellowish skin), sores on the skin, bruising or low platelet counts (platelets are the part of blood that makes it clot). In the most extreme cases, babies infected with herpes simplex may develop severe eye problems, a small brain size, mental retardation, seizures or even die.

14. Are there any cure?

At the moment there is no cure for herpes, however there are some medications that help to treat the symptoms of herpes by making them last for a shorter period of time.

The simple fact that herpes is a virus is what makes it difficult to find a herpes cure. As a rule the immune system will deal with and destroy any viruses it finds but that fact that the herpes virus retreats and hides so well in the nerves when in the dormant phase makes finding a cure for herpes a more difficult task.

15. When was herpes first known?

No one really knows. The history of herpes begins as early as ancient Greek times. Hippocrates speaks of the condition in his writings. Even the word “herpes” is a Greek word that means “to creep or crawl” which is the way that the Greeks described the way that skin lesions spread.

16. Are there herpes community that I can seek out friendship?

Yes, many. One of the better known sites is PositiveSingles. They even have a STD consultant there.

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs