Overview

Herpes refer to a condition in which fluid filled blisters occur on the skin, adjacent to mouth. Usually, they appear on the chin, nostrils, fingers and genitals. Herpes is more commonly known as Fever blisters and Cold Sores. Cold Sores are often mistaken for canker sores; however the two terms are very much different. Herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The cold sore affected area is sensitive and painful to touch. It is a contagious ailment and gets transmitted from one person to another.

Causes of Fever Blisters:
• Direct contact
• Lips or gum injury
• Cosmetic surgery
• Fatigue
• Hormonal imbalance
• Dental treatment
• Stress
• Pregnancy
•Cold Sores Symptoms:
• Small size painful fluid filled reddish blisters
• Itching and swelling of lips
• Headache
• Irritation
• Fever

Treatment

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm extract is considered valuable in healing Herpes infection. 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 is 25-40 drops of Tincture two times per day, or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 ¼ to 4 tsp of dried leaf in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes).  In addition, you can apply a commercial lemon balm cream or ointment to the sores 3 or 4 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.  A typical dosage would be 300 mg in capsules 3 times per day or 15-40 drops of Tincture 3 times per day or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 tsp of dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes).  To use externally, apply a compress made with the tea to the Cold Sores three times per day.  St. John’s Wort infused oil or Tincture of the flowering tops can be applied to active lesions.  (Caution – St. John’s Wort may increase reactions to sun exposure.  Do not take St. John’s Wort internally if you are on an antidepressant drug).

To minimize herpes outbreaks, limit food 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 is 3,000 mg of lysine per day for 3 months, then 1,000 mg per day to prevent outbreaks. 

Meanwhile, take Zinc at the first sign of an outbreak to limit its length and severity.  Typical dosage is 30-60mg during the outbreak and for several days after.  Also, applying Zinc cream or ointment to the sores will heal them faster.

Herpes-Immune System Tincture combination you can make at home:

Purchase commercial tinctures and blend them together and store in a dark glass bottle.  You can blend larger amounts of the Tincture in this recipe – just keep the proportions the same:

½ tsp Echinacea Tincture

½ tsp St. John’s Wort Tincture

½ tsp bupleurum Tincture

½ tsp licorice Tincture

½ tsp barberry Tincture

Combine the tinctures.  Take one dropperful of the mix 4-6 times per day as soon as you feel symptoms of an outbreak coming on and for as long as they continue. 

 Other herbs that may be helpful for Herpes:

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