Vitamins, supplements and certain natural treatments can help to reduce herpes outbreak symptoms. However, no herpes cure has been found. The herpes virus remains in the body for life and can resurface when a herpes trigger activates it.
The best herpes prevention is to avoid triggering behaviors, such as smoking and excessive caffeine. Getting plenty of sleep and eating well are also good practices.
Vitamin C
The herpes virus lies dormant in nerve cells for long periods, but outbreaks are often triggered by stress, poor nutrition and exposure to the sun, allergens or toxins. There is no cure for herpes, but natural therapy focuses on boosting the immune system and supporting the body’s natural antiviral response. A combination of home remedies, dietary supplements and lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can boost the immune system and help heal herpes lesions. In addition, it has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of herpes outbreaks by reducing viral replication. Research has also shown that herpes viruses can be inactivated by high doses of vitamin C.
Zinc is another important nutrient that can help prevent herpes outbreaks. It is a key cellular cofactor that plays a role in many chemical reactions that support the body’s immune system. Studies have shown that zinc supplementation can help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks and the length of time that herpes is active.
ACV, or apple cider vinegar, is a popular home remedy for herpes that can reduce the length of an outbreak and alleviate itching associated with herpes. ACV is believed to have antiviral properties, as well as other antioxidants that can fight free radical damage caused by herpes.
Garlic is another natural remedy that has been shown to have antiviral properties. It can be taken in capsule form or applied directly to a herpes outbreak to ease the pain and itching. ACV can also be mixed with garlic to create a topical ointment that can be applied to herpes lesions three times a day.
Some people with herpes have found that avoiding foods high in the amino acid arginine can help reduce outbreaks. Foods high in arginine include chocolate, nuts and whole wheat. Other common triggers for herpes include stress, consuming too much caffeine and smoking. Herpes outbreaks can also be aggravated by certain medications and spinal cord injuries. Some people have found that consuming lysine-rich foods such as legumes, fish, chicken and vegetables can inhibit herpes virus replication.
Vitamin D
Although genital herpes doesn’t have a cure, you can find relief from cold sores and recurrent outbreaks with the help of natural therapies. Vitamins and supplements are important for boosting the immune system to support the body’s natural response to herpes. They are also effective in helping to heal herpes lesions and reduce the risk of transmission.
Herpes is caused by herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, which cause fluid-filled blisters or eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes. The viruses can stay dormant in the nervous system for several years, but will emerge when the immune system is weakened by illness, stress or exposure to sunlight. Common symptoms include cold sores, genital herpes and mouth herpes.
Many natural remedies for herpes focus on enhancing the immune system, and some have direct antiviral effects. A healthy diet, adequate sleep and a practice of stress-reduction techniques are crucial to keeping the herpes virus in check.
One of the best natural remedies for herpes is garlic, which has potent antiviral properties and can be taken in capsule form or applied directly to herpes sores up to three times a day. Another popular herpes treatment is L-lysine, an amino acid that blocks arginine, which the herpes virus needs to catalyze its replication process. You can get L-lysine from food sources like eggs, red meat and salmon or in supplement form.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to boost the immune system. It can be taken as a supplement or by eating foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and green vegetables. In addition, a vitamin E supplement may be beneficial for herpes sufferers as it can also reduce the oxidative stress that affects immune cells.
Other natural herpes remedies include lemon balm extract (Melissa officinalis) which can be applied as a topical cream four times daily to herpes lesions. Acupuncture is also an effective herpes treatment, but it should be done under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. It has been shown to reduce pain and accelerate skin healing during herpes outbreaks.
L-lysine
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores and genital herpes, which are recurrent viral infections. Herpes is incurable, but antiviral medications can shorten outbreaks and lower your risk of passing the virus to others. You can also support your immune system by eating a healthy diet and taking vitamins and herbs.
Vitamins perform a wide range of essential functions, from boosting immunity to helping the body heal. Supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s important to discuss any supplements you want to take with your doctor.
One amino acid, L-lysine, may help prevent herpes outbreaks by limiting the amount of arginine in your body. Arginine is needed for herpes reproduction, and lysine interferes with arginine being absorbed into the body, making it unavailable to the virus. A small study found that people with herpes who took l-lysine supplements had fewer outbreaks and shorter healing times.
You can get enough lysine by eating foods rich in protein, such as beef, chicken, pork, cod and eggs. You can also find l-lysine supplements, which have been shown to reduce herpes outbreaks and improve muscle recovery.
In addition to bolstering the immune system, Vitamin C can also help fight herpes by increasing the thickness of your blood’s protective mucus. Vitamin C can also decrease the duration of herpes outbreaks and reduce their severity. You can get enough Vitamin C from a variety of foods, including citrus fruits and juices, kiwis, strawberries and tomatoes.
Some herbal remedies have also been shown to help combat herpes, including oats, chamomile and garlic. These herbs can be taken as a pill, liquid or tincture to promote healthy immune function and reduce herpes outbreaks.
You can also boost your immune system by getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are essential to healthy cell growth and can help the immune system respond more effectively to herpes infection. Try adding salmon, chia seeds, flaxseed and mackerel to your diet or by taking a fish oil supplement. If you have a weakened immune system, you may need to take more supplements than those listed above.
Luminance RED
Cold sores are triggered by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), which infects the skin and mucous membranes. The symptoms are usually a tingling sensation, itching or burning around the mouth. Small fluid-filled blisters then appear, often on the edges of the lower lip. Once the blisters burst, the raw tissue then scabs over and heals. Cold sores are most often caused by HSV-1, but the herpes family of viruses has over seventy different members and any one of them may trigger outbreaks.
Vitamin C and Vitamin D have the most proven benefits when treating herpes outbreaks. A combination of these vitamins can reduce the number and duration of herpes outbreaks, decrease the intensity of pain during an outbreak, as well as reduce future recurrence rates. Aside from supplements, a healthy diet can also help prevent herpes outbreaks and boost the immune system to fight off infections.
Heavily processed foods like those found in frozen meals, pizza and other freezer-friendly dishes contain many synthetic ingredients that trigger oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress inhibits the immune system and can exacerbate herpes outbreak symptoms. Avoiding these foods can significantly reduce the severity of herpes outbreaks and increase your ability to heal quickly during an outbreak.
Lean proteins, such as those found in chicken, eggs and nuts, are important sources of amino acids that support the body’s natural defenses against herpes. Amino acids help your cells produce more adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP, which provides the energy your immune cells need to combat herpes and push it back into dormancy.
Luminance RED is an FDA-approved breakthrough herpes treatment that uses LED light therapy to shorten the healing time of herpes and decrease the frequency of new outbreaks. Designed with ideal wavelength and irradiance specifications, Luminance RED delivers a precise burst of light energy directly to the area where herpes is present. This energy metabolizes within the affected cells to accelerate healing and strengthen your immune system’s defense against herpes outbreaks.
While it would be great if there were a cure-all natural supplement for herpes, such a product has yet to be proven. However, a few minutes of daily Luminance RED treatment can dramatically shorten the healing time and decrease the likelihood of future outbreaks.
