Modern medical science has not been able to produce a cure for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can only offer pharmaceutical solutions that help ease the pain and speed up recovery from a genital herpes outbreak. For those that don't want to turn to medication to manage a lifetime of outbreaks, several holistic and natural remedies may offer a safer alternative.
TOPICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS
While there is no cure for genital herpes, many holistic treatment resources and studies have shown that naturally occurring plants and foods are effective at managing herpes outbreaks:
- bee honey
- Prunella Vulgaris herb
- Tea Tree oil
- Lemon Balm
- Aloe Vera
- Eucalyptus
- red marine algae
SOOTHING THE PAIN
During an outbreak the following daily practices will help soothe the pain and inflammation of the outbreak:
- warm sitz bathes 3 - 4 times a day (sitting in a bath with your knees up)
- use a hair dryer to dry the areas with outbreaks
- wear loose fitting cotton underwear that is absorbent
- to reduce inflammation and swelling take aspirin or ibuprofen
DIET HELPERS
There are several foods that researches have discovered in certain studies that have a beneficial effect on reducing the number of outbreaks people will have over time. The following foods have been noted in scientific research studies as having a positive effect:
- cranberries (which naturally contain proanthocyanidin A-1)
- broccoli, cabbage and brussels (which naturally contain indole-3-carbinol)
- lysine supplement
LIFESTYLE
As genital herpes is a viral infection it is important to keep your level of overall health high and avoid getting run down mentally or physically - as this is when viruses are successful at resurfacing. As part of your daily lifestyle you should try the following:
- get plenty of sleep
- manage stress effectively
- eat a balanced and health diet
- exercise
- reach out and talk to someone you can trust
Since most of these genital herpes natural remedies are considered reasonably safe, it may be worth investigating these holistic options before turning to invasive and costly medical treatments. Ensure to discuss any alternative treatment strategies with your health care practitioner before starting them.
S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, correspondent, and contributing editor of the HPV Genital Warts Herpes resource site that provides helpful articles, tips and resources for people suffering with genital herpes, genital warts, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
