Yogurt and cold sore have a very interesting relationship. Yogurt is a double edged sword which can either help or worsen the condition of someone with the disease.

Cold sore is one of the forms of the herpes virus. It can stay dormant in a person’s body until a stimulus triggers it which results to the manifestations of the different symptoms of the disease. However, there are also ways on how to suppress these symptoms. In the case of yogurt and cold sore, the former can both trigger the herpes virus but it can also help to suppress it.

There are no known medications to completely eradicate cold sore or the herpes virus. The best that treatments and medications can do is to suppress the symptoms of the disease as well as prevent an outbreak from happening. One of the ways included in the treatment is through diet. In the diet plan for someone who has cold sore, yogurt is included since the bacteria from which it was made, the acidophilus bacteria, has been known to be a good fighter of cold sore. The problem is, commercialized yogurt has been pasteurized meaning the acidophilus bacteria have been neutralized thus becoming ineffective. Before buying yogurt, one should make sure that it still contains active acidophilus bacteria.

Looking at the other side of the story of yogurt and cold sore, some commercial yogurt contain gelatin. Unfortunately, gelatin can cause a cold sore outbreak which should be totally avoided. When buying yogurt, always check the label to see whether gelatin is one of its ingredients.

By Charlene Nuble

Dosha theory which help in diagnosis of the diseases.

According to ayurveda three doshas or three energetic forces control the activities of the body. These doshas are

1. Vata

2. Pitta

3. Kapha

VATA: The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. It has been said in ayurveda classic books that “pitta, Kapha and all other body tissues are considered lame without assistance of VATA.” Vata dominates the lower part of the body, which is below umbilicus. The movements of body fluid, metabolism, elimination of waste products, semen ejaculation, pushing the fetus out of body, relaying stimulus to brain and response to organs and tissues, heart beat, respiration, body movements etc are assisted by VATA.

Vata dominated regions are intestines, lumbar region, ears, bones and skin.

Vata gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Controlling natural urges like urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, etc.

2. Late nights.

3. Irregular food habits.

4. Talking in a high pitch.

5. Over physical and mental exertion.

6. Consumption of spicy, dry, bitter foods.

7. Exposure to severe dry and cold climate.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated vata.

PITTA: The pitta dosha assists the body fire or Agni, which plays a major role in body’s metabolic activities. The locations where pitta dominates are digestive system, skin, eyes, brain, and blood. Pitta maintains body temperature. The secretions like digestive juices pigments like melanin (bhrajaka pitta), hemoglobin (ranjaka pitta) are all types of pitta.

Pitta is dominant in regions of Umbilicus, stomach, sweat, lymph, blood, eyes and skin.

Vata gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Excess consumption of spicy, sour, salty foods.

2. Consuming alcohol in excess.

3. Over exposure to hot sunny climate.

4. Short temperedness.

5. Using dried vegetables.

6. Indigestion of food.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated pitta.

KAPHA: Kapha provides bulk to body, lubrications, moistness, fertility, stability, strength, and memory. Helps in binding process wherever necessary. This is heaviest of all doshas.

Kapha dominated regions are chest, neck, head, stomach, body fat, nose and tongue

Kapha gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Sleeping in daytime.

2. Consuming sweets, chilled food, in excess.

3. Consuming fish, sesame, sugarcane, milk and milk products.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated kapha.

When these doshas are in balanced condition the body remains healthy. If these doshas get imbalanced the body succumbs to diseases. Doshas get imbalanced frequently due to change in climate, seasons, lifestyles, diet etc. The treatment is to bring back the doshas to normalcy and expel the toxin or ama produced during the imbalanced condition.

Causes of Genital Herpes

Herpes is caused by a virus the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which belongs to the same family of viruses that cause chickenpox. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses

1. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and mostly causes oral herpes

2. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). And mostly causes genital herpes

However, both type-1 and type-2 can occur in the genitals, oral area or both.

Due to unhealthy life styles and diet the delicate balance between doshas get disturbed. This disturbs the body fire or Agni.

(Agni is the body fire, which is responsible for transformation of one substance to another. It breaks down the food substances, eliminates toxins and wastes, maintains body temperature, and resists the invasion of microbes by maintaining strong body immunity.

The body fire, which is assisted by balanced doshas, digests the food completely to form Pakwa Anna rasa (the liquid form of food which is completely digested by digestive enzymes), which is ready to get absorbed by body tissues. According to ayurveda Pakwa Anna Rasa nourishes the body and its components to keep the body devoid of diseases. But when body fire is impaired there will be an incomplete digestion of food forming Apakwa Rasa (indigested food). The indigested food fails to nourish the body components leading to lowered body resistance.)

The disturbed Agni fails to digest the food and toxins get accumulated in body due to improper metabolism. Accumulation of toxins reduces the body immunity and paves the way for invasion by microbes.

When a person who has low immunity comes in contact with HSV virus, he/she gets the genital or oral herpes.

Unhealthy lifestyle

1. Over eating

2. Sleeping in afternoons.

3. Over physical exertion.

4. Over mental exertion

5. Consuming food frequently even when not hungry.

6. Constant exposure to hot sunny climates

Unhealthy diet

Excessive consumption of

1. Salty, sour, hot, spicy food.

2. Sour curds

3. Alcohol.

4. Cheese

5. Charred and overcooked food.

6. Sesame, Bengal gram, horse gram, sesame oil, rice flour, garlic, fish.

Opposite foods

1. Curds, salt, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, sour fruits, meat, prawn, pork, should not be consumed with milk. The above-mentioned foods should not be consumed by mixing one item with another.

2. Sprouts, honey and milk should not be consumed with meat and fish.

3. Fish & milk: fish &sugarcane juice; jaggery & pork; honey & pork; milk & mango; banana & milk; are opposite foods.

The Transmission Of genital Herpes

A person can get genital herpes in following conditions

1. If he is sexual active and when he performs sex (oral or genital) with infected partners.

2. A person who has oral herpes transmits herpes to genital organs of a partner during oral sex and a person who has genital herpes transmits this to his partner during coitus when they have a genital contact.

3. The disease gets transmitted when mucous membrane comes in contact with infected area.

The disease gets transmitted mostly during active phase. But it may spread even during asymptomatic (when person is free of symptoms for a particular duration) phase. The virus needs a fluid media for its transportation. The body fluids like saliva, semen, vaginal tract secretions etc. Mucous membranes in mouth, vagina, urethra or open wounds facilitate the virus invasion due to their moistness.

In Genital herpes there is an imbalance of all three doshas (VATA, PITTA, KAPHA), which in turn vitiate lasika (lymph), blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa) and skin (twacha).

The imbalanced doshas vitiate skin and the immunity of skin cells is lowered. The virus attacks these weak cells and starts exhibiting symptoms on affected area.

Local symptoms

1. Pricking sensation

2. Edema

3. Pain

4. Feeling of constriction

5. A sensation of ant creeping

6. Many small eruptions gathering in a small area.

7. These eruptions or blisters burst soon with exudates.

8. These blisters will have different colors according to involvement of doshas. (Blackish red or blue in vata, red, yellow, copper colored in pitta, shades of white in kapha).

The weakened body immune system tries to resist the virus invasion but fails to achieve the goal. In this futile attempt the following systemic symptoms are exhibited.

Systemic symptoms

1. Fever

2. Weakness

3. Indigestion

4. Impaired bowels

5. Increased frequency of urination.

6. Body pain.

7. Increased thirst.

Imbalanced vata causes the symptoms like pain, swelling and body ache

The imbalanced pitta and vitiated blood and skin cause

1. Blisters,

2. Change the color of skin,

3. Cause burning sensation, and fever.

The imbalanced kapha and vitiated lymph cause itching, tingling sensation.

After the first attack the virus moves from skin through the nerve paths to base of the nerve and becomes inactive. Now the herpes infected person will be devoid of all symptoms. But the imbalance of doshas still persists.

Reactivation of Virus to cause outbreaks

At unpredictable times, the virus becomes active. It multiplies and resurfaces on skin by traveling through the nerve path and exhibits the symptoms locally. The severity of symptoms of out break depends on the strength of body immunity.

The pelvis or shroni, nerves and skin are dominated by vata. When vata gets vitiated due to precipitating factors, it reactivates the virus dormant in base of nerve end and the virus travel through nerve paths to reach the skin surface.

Precipitating Factors

As we know the outbreaks have few precipitating factors like

1. Excessive exposure to sun.

2. Illness,

3. Poor diet,

4. Emotional stress

5. Physical stress,

6. Friction,

7. Steroids

8. Menstruation.

9. Emotional stress.

10. Genital trauma and intercourse.

11. Repeated infections such as a cold or pneumonia.

These factors increase vata and increased vata activates the virus, which is dormant.

Low Immunity The systemically imbalanced doshas interfere with the body metabolism by vitiating the body fire (agni). This leads to indigestion and malassimilation of nutrients, which in turn causes poor immunity. Due to decreased immunity the body fails to offer resistance to outbreaks.

Ayurveda Tips to avoid outbreaks

Avoid

1. Spicy, sour, fried and junk food, which aggravates vata.

2. Precipitating factors.

3. Sleeping in afternoon.

4. Meat products over fried or deep fried in oil or fat.

5. Charred and overcooked food.

6. Consuming opposite food like fish and milk etc

7. Physical exertion after a meal

8. Taking bath immediately after exercise or heavy outdoor work.

Include honey, pomegranate, and fruits of Emblica officinalis, legumes, dates and raisins in your diet.

Practice Yoga and Meditation to control emotional disturbances

Ayurveda References

1. Sushruta Samhita

2. Charaka Samhita

3. Madhava nidana

4. Ashtanga Sangraha

5. Yoga Ratnakara

By Dr. Savitha Suri Dr. Savitha Suri has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1989. After getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of Mysore, India, she started practising ayurveda. Her articles about ayurveda have been published in news papers and websites. She is a regular health columnist to a regional news paper.

Essential oils for herpes virus are made from highly concentrated plant extracts. They are an excellent natural treatment for many diseases and help to create a holistic balance of the mind, body, spirit and emotions. They are an alternative means of health care to help you out when all other health remedies may have failed. But never attempt to self diagnose, and always take a medical professional advice before you use essential oils, especially if you have a serious illness.

Now let us talk about how we can utilize the benefits of these essential oils to prevent and reduce herpes outbreaks. We suggest that, instead of using only one type of oil you should use a blend of lavender, cypress and geranium for relief from the herpes virus.

Healing Properties Of Lavender

Lavender oil has a very strong floral spice scent and its healing properties are renowned all over the world. It can revitalize and rejuvenate the immune system and help in the building of white blood cells in the blood. It has excellent antiseptic and anti-viral properties which is why it is so efficient in giving relief from the herpes virus. It is also an excellent cure for other skin infections including athlete’s foot, when blended with thyme and clove. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which help prevent fever blisters.

Calming Cypress

This plant has a woody, fresh aroma, with just a hint of spice and it is evocative, of juniper berry and pine. It has a calming and refreshing effect on you. It can diffuse stress and strengthen the nerves and the cardio vascular system. It is also excellent for the circulatory system. It encourages the healing and regeneration of worn-out or damaged tissue.

Geranium Bourbon - Natural Stimulant

This plant has its origins in the Reunion Islands of Madagascar. It’s aroma is sensual and heady. The oil acts as an excellent natural stimulant for the body and the mind. It benefits the circulatory system, the lymphatic system and balances the body’s physiological functions. It also cleans and detoxifies the body, and prevents infections, especially skin infections. Herpes, ringworm, eczema, dermatitis, shingles, cold sores and acne can all be cured with the use of geranium oil.

How Aromatic Oils Work

These essential oils for herpes virus have strong aromas that trigger numerous electro-chemical responses in your brain relieving you of the herpes outbreak.

Application

Put about 15 drops of the blend of the above three oils into a dispenser containing a carrier oil. Light coconut oil is excellent carrier oil, because it remains in liquid form at room temperature and does not clog the skin’s pores. It is also well metabolized by the body. Now shake the dispenser well, and store it for approximately 24 hours or till the oils have blended into each other.

Make use of the wisdom of our ancestors to promote healing of your mind and body. These age old remedies can revive and cleanse but beware of cheap, synthetic copies of these essential oils for herpes virus. Always buy those of the best quality from a reputed natural product store. Ensure that they are certified organic oils and are pesticide free.

by Stefanie Young

Herpes Simplex Virus, and particularly genital herpes, is said to affect one in four sexually active adults. I personally think the numbers might be higher, due to under-reporting of what is, for some, a very embarrassing situation.

Currently, the only prescription medication we hear about is Valtrex and even then, you hear that nothing can cure herpes and that, even with medication, you can still spread it.

If that won’t put a damper on your love life, I don’t know what will.

But there are things you can do, responsible steps you can take, to lessen both your severity and occurrence of herpes outbreaks as well as the potential for spreading herpes to another.

Seven ways to outwit the herpes virus:

1. Find out what your herpes triggers are. Your most important tool, by far, is self-monitoring. Different people have different triggers for herpes outbreaks. By paying attention, you can find out if you are more likely to outbreak from sun exposure, stress, or arginine rich foods.

2. Learn how to recognize the predominant symptoms. Everyone goes at such a fast pace that it’s easy to overlook the precursors to an outbreak but they are almost always there, from 24 to 48 hours before the actual outbreak. If you can learn to pay attention to that very first tingling feeling in a previous outbreak area, that very first feeling of pain in the lymph nodes of the groin, and any feelings of heat in the area, you can take preventative steps that may avert an outbreak.

3. Avoid arginine-rich foods. For men and women into body-building, it’s important to look at any weight building or sports nutrition formulas you are taking, and make sure they don’t contain major doses of arginine. Even if you can take an arginine-rich formula normally, you can forgoes them during predome or stressful situations and reduce the risk of outbreak being triggered by arginine. Foods rich in arginine include peanuts, beer (I know you hate to read that one, fellas) and chocolate (the ladies hate to see that one here too),

4. Increase lysine-rich foods. Lysine tricks the herpes virus into thinking it can mate with it, in a manner of speaking, and helps neutralize it. You can also take lysine capsules. Foods rich in lysine include turkey, fish, cheese, yogurt and fresh vegetables.

5. Boost your immune system. Take a good antioxidant formula to help your immune system, which is your first line of defense against herpes, function at high alert.

6. Keep tea tree oil handy. Tea tree oil will kill the herpes virus on the surface and many find that applying the oil directly to previous outbreak areas whenever predome symptoms start can help avert an outbreak. If the oil burns, it can be diluted.

7. Use ice during predome. Another way to potentially avert an outbreak is to use and ice pack at the very first sign of predome symptoms.

This is not an article on safe sex but it stands to reason that using a condom whenever you feel an outbreak might be coming on, and abstaining altogether when an outbreak is present is smart.

Finally, remember that one in four sexually active adults have the virus so it may be that you telling him or her will open the door for them to tell you. And there are also dating clubs for people with herpes so if the prospect of having to reveal you have herpes is just too daunting, please realize you don’t have to stop dating altogether just because you have herpes.

by Neva Howell

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

When it comes to herpes vagina sores and/or blisters are the most common symptom in women. These sores, or lesions, are a sure-fire way to detect that you have become infected with genital herpes. If you find yourself suffering from these sores, it is highly important to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Try to keep in mind that there is no need to fear herpes. A visit to the doctor will shed light on the many ways genital herpes can be managed.

As far as symptoms vaginal herpes can manifest itself in other ways besides these painful sores and blisters. If you find yourself suffering from unusual headaches, fever, tingling or itching in the vaginal or buttocks area, you may have contracted the herpes simplex virus. Staying aware of your body as well as your sexual activities, will allow you to get treatment as soon as possible once symptoms arise.

Vagina herpes does not have to hinder you from living life to the fullest. The virus can be managed quite effectively. Among the numerous prescription medications out there, genital herpes can be controlled with natural treatments, such as topical creams, that make outbreaks much more bearable, without the side effects. Other ways to ease the discomfort of outbreaks is by wearing loose, cotton clothing and keeping the infected area clean and dry.

Did you know that when it comes to herpes vagina infections are contracted in more ways than just vaginal intercourse? If your partner is a carrier of oral herpes and performs oral sex on you, then you can become infected with herpes. Another way is by anal sex. Masturbation is yet another way to contract the virus. Knowing your partner’s history could help keep you safe and virus free.

In dealing with symptoms vaginal herpes outbreaks can first be spotted within two weeks of sexual activity. This initial outbreak can last for several weeks. In the beginning, red bumps appear. These bumps then turn into blisters, which will eventually burst, starting the healing process. When these blisters begin to crust over, you know that you’re in the end stages of the outbreak.

As stated earlier, when it comes to herpes vagina sores are not the only symptoms you may suffer from during an outbreak. If you feel swelling in the vaginal area, feel pain when urinating, or have unusual vaginal discharge, you may be some of the few that have minimal discomfort during an outbreak. These particular types of outbreaks are much easier to deal with. Many times, extremely mild outbreaks need no steady treatment.

There is no reason to let vagina herpes inhibit you. With the vast array of treatments available, you can live life to the fullest. It is more than possible to have a long and rewarding life just by staying aware, staying educated and staying in control.

By Sheldon Miller

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

Dr David Hoggs said in his StopHerpesNow site that people should NOT rely on conventional drugs to help you with viral infections. Here’s why:

1. Conventional drugs cause viruses to adapt to the antiviral drug itself, and then another antiviral drug is needed.

2. Conventional antiviral drugs cause unwanted side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, all over aching, dizziness, joint pain, rash, lethargy, confusion, anorexia, dry mouth, and agitation. And that’s just the common reactions!! More serious reactions are seizures, coma, low white blood cell count, kidney dysfunction, anaphylaxis, hepatitis, and encephalopathy. I don’t think you want to risk any of these happening to you!

3. Conventional antiviral medication is very expensive.

4. Conventional antivirals cause your body to be depleted of vitamins and nutrients such as L-Carnitine, Vitamin B12, and Copper.

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

Let’s look at the 8 distinct cold sore stages, and what you can do now to lessen the severity, discomfort and length of your cold sore event.

Cold sore stages 2-8 are the active stages and are very contagious during this time. Usually 3 to 4 weeks is the average life-span of a cold sore. Much depends on your health and choice of treatments for each of your cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: #1 - LATENT - Here the cold sore herpes simplex virus is hiding in the nerve ganglia near the back of the jaw on the same side as your cold sore usually appears. The cold sore virus may “sleep” for weeks or years without incident. Your body’s defense “soldiers” keep them in check. When there is stress in another part of your body, your defenses may drop at this location. Then the cold sore virus can escape and travel to the surface to reproduce - beginning the active cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 2 - PRODROME - The cold sore virus reproductive cycle begins here. The cold sore virus travels down your nerve fibers to the surface. This movement causes your cold sore target area to itch or tingle. You may notice a burning or dryness sensation. This stage could last a few hours to a few days before entering the more intense cold sore stages.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 3 - INFLAMMATION Your cold sore virus has now arrived at the surface and begins it’s reproductive cycle by entering the cells at the end of the nerve. This causes a lot of swelling and redness at the cold sore site as your cells react to being invaded by the herpes cold sore virus .

COLD SORE STAGES: # 4 - PRE-SORE - Cold sores at this stage are defined by the appearance of cold sore vesicles. A full blown cold sore is not one big blister but a grouping of small blisters called vesicles. You will notice these vesicles as tiny, hard pimples or red bumps that are painfully sensitive to the touch.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 5 - OPEN SORE - Your most painful and contagious of the cold sore stages. All the vesicles break open and merge to create one big open, weeping sore. Depending on the severity, you may develop a fever and swollen lymph glands under the jaw.

The weeping fluid is teaming with newly born cold sore viruses. Touching this fluid, you could easily spread the cold sore virus to another part of your own body or to someone else - either by direct touch or shared objects such as hand towels, telephones, and faucets.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 6 - CRUSTING - A cold sore will develop a yellowish crust or scab as it begins to finally start the healing process. Your cold sore is still painful at this stage. More painful, however, is the constant cracking of your cold sore scab when you move or stretch your lips, as in smiling.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 7- HEALING - Cold sores, once scabbed over, begin healing from the inside out. As new skin forms under the crust, you will experience continued itching, irritation and some pain. Your cold sore virus is now retreating back to the nerve ganglia area where it will sleep until the next opportunity.

COLD SORE STAGES: # 8 - POST SCAB - Cold sores at this stage no longer have a visible cold sore scab and your skin has totally healed. Under your new skin, healing is still taking place as the destroyed cells are regenerated. This produces a red spot that may linger for another 2 to 14 days - depending on your personal healing speed. You are still contagious until this red spot disappears. This waiting is the most frustrating of the cold sore stages.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW -

Cold sore over-the-counter medications, experts agree, are primarily comfort treatments for the cold sore stages. Some contain numbing agents that greatly reduce your pain. Some cold sore medications contain an anti-bacterial to prevent secondary infections. None of these cold sore medications have been shown to actually shorten the life-span of any of your cold sore stages.

Medical science has been working feverishly on a cure for the herpes virus but have not, as yet, had any real success in developing an effective cold sore remedy. Prescription anti-virals, both the oral versions and the topical salves, have been a dismal failure for the most part. Vaccines are being tested but are 3-4 years out yet. New breakthroughs could be just around the corner however.

But you don’t need to wait!

More and more doctors now agree. There are times when natural science just seems to be the best choice. Often our ONLY choice. This is certainly true - right now - for herpes cold sores.

Data studies have shown natural science remedies can reduce the cold sore events by as much as 79%.

Yes! And, in fact, actually prevent your cold sores from taking place altogether.

The great news - these remedies are available to you today.

If you are a cold sore victim, you would be well advised to look into these powerful natural remedies without delay for shortening or preventing your cold sores.

by Denny Bodoh

If you currently have the herpes virus the best thing you can do for yourself is herpes research. Knowing everything about the virus will help you control it, instead of fear it. There are plenty of sources available out there that can keep you informed on this fast spreading virus. With proper knowledge, you can learn to live a long and rewarding life.

Through extensive clinical studies, specifically, genital herpes research, it has been found that there is no cure for the herpes. However, there are numerous ways to control it effectively. Research has shown that people suffer from the virus in different ways. Sometimes, carriers suffer no symptoms. Therefore, they are unaware that they are infected with genital herpes. In most cases, however, symptoms such as red bumps, fever, blisters and headaches, alert others that they are in fact, a carrier of the herpes virus.

Other herpes research has helped in creating treatment options for those living with the herpes virus. This includes all types of herpes, such as oral, genital and ocular. While your doctor can provide one of the many prescription drugs available on the market, there are vast arrays of natural topical treatments that can be used safely, without side effects. Research has also shown that wearing loose clothing, avoidance of touching sores, and keeping the area clean and dry can make outbreaks shorter in length and much more bearable.

Current research on herpes has shown that the infection is permanent. It has also shown that the virus is rapidly spreading. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans become infected per year. With this said, each person’s reaction from the virus varies. As stated before, some carriers suffer one outbreak during their lifetime. Others may have approximately 2 to 6 outbreaks a year, depending on age, race, gender and lifestyle.

Asymptomatic viral shedding is also become a focal point in genital herpes research. This means that although there is no visible outbreak, the carrier is still shedding the virus. Basically, when you shed the virus, you are still contagious and can pass the virus onto others. Research has also shown that this shedding is more common in women than it is in men.

Reading up on herpes research can be extremely beneficial. Studies show that a change in lifestyle can help manage the virus more effectively. It is highly important to take necessary precaution if you plan on engaging in sexual activity. Anyone with herpes can maintain a healthy and rewarding sex life, but must use protection in order to protect their partner. During outbreaks, it is necessary to use a condom. Using a condom in between outbreaks can be helpful as well. In a nutshell, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Always remember that herpes does not have to control you. Stay close with your family, make new friends and keep up with current research on herpes will keep you well informed on how to manage your outbreaks and your life.

by Sheldon Miller

Bee pollen and herpes, what do they have in common? The pollen from the bee actually has a component that speeds up the healing of wounds from the herpes condition. Herpes is a widely spread sexually transmitted disease in adults caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. The symptoms include blisters and ulcers on the mouth, face, genitals, and around the anus area. Once a person is infected with herpes, he or she remains infected for life. There is no known total cure for herpes, just some minor treatment for the wounds or blisters caused by it.

Bee pollen and herpes patients have gone along well through the years because the ingestion of pollen makes the symptoms disappear for long periods of time. So what exactly is in the pollen that cures the herpes’ painful symptoms? The answer is the Pantothenic acid, a part of B vitamin complex family that effectively speeds up the cure of herpes wounds.

The bee products with propolis, a powerful natural antibiotic from bees, are more effective against the herpes simplex virus. This is because of the high concentration of flavonoids and luteolin in propolis that are very efficient in reducing pain, itchiness, and inflammation in herpes patients.

What are the other things herpes patients can expect from taking in bee supplements?

By taking in daily bee pollen products, one’s body will experience an outstanding increase in natural energy. This is one reason why there are a lot of athletes who include a bee product in their daily diet. It has also been found to increase mental functions and concentration in adults as well as aid in young children’s IQ development. Adults are able to think clearly, even if they are in their senior years, and children are able to learn and comprehend lessons in school fast.

One of the best health benefits is its ability to slow down the aging process of each individual. This is due to the fact that it restores vigor and enhances cell regeneration processes. This health benefit from the pollen is commonly observed on the skin of a person taking bee products daily. They appear younger compared to their actual age and their skin is supple, soft, smooth, and almost wrinkle-free.

The pollen from the bee also normalizes chemical imbalances in the human body. These chemical imbalances often affect one’s metabolism resulting in various weight problems like overweight and underweight. Metabolism in overweight people will be increased resulting in faster fat burning and a flushing process due to the high lecithin percentage in the pollen. Overactive metabolism causing underweight in some people will also be normalized by a bee supplement. It can also suppress food cravings to help one reduce some of the unwanted weight and be able to eat healthier selection of food groups.

There are more health benefits from the pollens that we haven’t mentioned here. The important thing is for herpes patients to know that there are natural sources, like these pollens, that can help them with their painful symptoms. Bee pollen and herpes are indeed lasting. When the pollen is improperly stored and handled, it will lose up to 76 percent of its nutritive value within twelve months. The only way to preserve the high potency of pure pollen is the method of freeze drying.

Freeze drying bee pollens maintain its freshness and preserves all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients intact. Other bee pollen collectors do not handle their bee pollens very well and even subject their bee pollens in the heat drying process, the fastest way to dry out the product but the worst way in trying to preserve the bee pollens’ potency. Beekeepers in New Zealand see to it that they harvest bee pollens at least twice a week because they know the exceptional nutritive value of bee pollen freshness.

by Micheal Thomas

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

Investigation is on presently for an effective herpes vaccine and there is a general consensus that something should be available in 3-5 years. But these vaccines will be limited in function as in they will prevent infection in new patients. Those with the herpes simplex virus already residing in their bodies will probably not benefit.

There have been attempts to make vaccines which will prevent the HSV occurrence, but with not much success unfortunately. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals started a trial in November 2002 in this direction and hopefully, we should see some progress in the years to come.

Isoniplex (Isoprinosine) has been approved for use in HSV infections in about 56 countries due to its antiviral action and its ability to stimulate the body’s immune response. In the United States, Isoniplex is currently under investigation and under trial for HSV primary and recurrent cases. There may not be any cure as of now but there are drugs that help reduce the frequency and the duration of an outbreak and your doctor would be able to give you a fairly good idea about your options.

You natural healing process will be aided by the fact that the area is kept clean and dry during an outbreak. Warm showers are recommended to clean the infected area, then gently towel dried or with a hair dryer on a low or cool setting. Avoid tight-fitting undergarments to prevent chaffing. Creams and lotions may only irritate so preferably avoid using any of these. But, at the end of the day it is a healthy immune system that is important in controlling the virus along with proper nutrition, exercise and rest.

Alternative solutions are being discussed today in which are enumerated two control methods: immunotherapy and antiviral therapy. Antiviral therapy is the development of drugs that can identify the cells that harbor the virus and distinguish them from the others. The drugs have to work in such a way that they destroy the virus completely, without leaving fragments or producing mutants that may resurface later inside infected cells. Basically what is being asked is that the antiviral agents must be lethal to viruses only and must be non-toxic to body cells. Immunotherapy deals with developing agents that help fight the virus naturally by stimulating the body’s immune response system. Some substances available currently can activate specialized white blood cells.

The amino acid lysine has been found to control herpes and researchers have found that if free form lysine is added to a diet high in lysine and low in arginine, it appears to be useful. Viral replication increased in tissue culture studies when the amino acid ratio of arginine to lysine favors arginine. A higher ratio of lysine to arginine will suppress the viral replication and inhibit the cytopathogenicity of the herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine is seen to be an effective agent for reducing the occurrence, severity and healing time for HSV infection that reoccurs.

Food items that have more lysine than arginine are fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, cheese, beans, brewer’s yeast and bean sprouts. Peas, gelatin, chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, whole-wheat, white flour, peanuts, soybeans and wheat germ are known to have more arginine than lysine.

By Tom Sample

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