Genital Herpes (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Test topical alternatives
For symptom relief and faster healing, try ointments containing zinc, lithium succinate, propolis, lemon balm, or aloe
- Try lysine
Taking 1,000 mg a day of this nutritional supplement may speed healing and help prevent outbreaks
- Use condoms
Gain added protection by using latex condoms when having sex
- Guard your partner
Avoid sexual contact during active infections to prevent infecting others
- Protect your unborn child
Let your doctor know if your infection becomes active near your delivery date to prevent passing the infection to your baby
About This Condition
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted viral infection characterized by fluid filled blisters or red bumps in the genital area.
Genital herpes is caused by either of two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There is no known cure for herpes. Both conventional and alternative treatments only help in reducing the symptoms and frequency of outbreaks. Treatments effective for cold sores—which are also caused by the herpes virus—may or may not also be effective for genital herpes, because of possible differences in the type of herpes virus causing infections in different body locations.
Symptoms
People with genital herpes may have outbreaks of small, often painful, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) in the genital or anal region. Fever, general weakness, and painful urination often accompany the initial occurrence. Subsequent outbreaks may appear with colds, fevers, menstrual periods, or during periods of stress,1 and usually disappear within two weeks. Initially there may be tingling or prickling at the site of the blisters even before they are visible, then the blisters often weep a clear fluid and form a scab.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Since genital herpes is highly contagious, people with active herpes infections should avoid direct sexual contact. Also, infected pregnant women should inform their obstetrician if their herpes becomes active around their delivery date, as HSV can be transmitted to the newborn during birth and cause a more serious infection in the child.
Holistic Options
Stress plays a major role in the recurrence of genital herpes outbreaks. One preliminary study found that persistent stress (stress lasting more than seven days) increased the recurrence rate by about 25%,2 but another preliminary study found no connection between stress and genital herpes outbreaks.3 In addition, short-term stress, mood changes, and menstrual cycles do not appear to affect herpes recurrences.4 Treatments aimed in part at stress reduction may be helpful for treating genital herpes. One controlled trial showed that patients had fewer outbreaks, shorter episode duration, and less episode severity when they were treated with a series of sessions involving education about genital herpes, stress management, deep breathing exercises, and guided imagery.5 A preliminary study suggested that applied relaxation (a technique that guides the participant through a series of muscle relaxation exercises) reduces recurrences of genital herpes outbreaks.6 Two case reports indicate that self-hypnosis, practiced on a daily basis, helps ease the pain and severity of genital herpes lesions.7
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| Eat more high-lysine, and fewer high-arginine, foods | A diet high in lysine—found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy—and low in arginine—found in nuts, peas, cereals, and chocolate—may help prevent or manage outbreaks. Many alternative healthcare practitioners recommend that people with herpes simplex infections eat a diet high in the amino acid lysine and low in arginine. Foods high in lysine include red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products, while foods such as chocolate, nuts, peas, and cereals are high in arginine. This recommendation is based on test tube research indicating that growth of the herpes virus is inhibited by lysine and promoted by arginine.However, no research has investigated whether making these dietary changes helps prevent outbreaks of genital herpes. In fact, one preliminary study found that patients with and without genital herpes did not differ from each other in how much dietary arginine and lysine they consumed. |
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
2 Stars Aloe Apply a 0.5% cream three times per day | One trial found that aloe cream shortened healing time of genital herpes outbreaks. Aloe vera may also benefit those with genital herpes. A double-blind trial using a 0.5% Aloe vera cream found that applying the cream three times a day shortened the healing time of genital herpes outbreaks. All but 3 of 22 persons in the study who showed healing with the aloe cream had no recurrences 15 months after stopping treatment. |
2 Stars Lemon Balm Apply a cream containing 1% of a standardized 70:1 extract four to five times per day | One study found that topical application of a cream containing a highly concentrated extract of lemon balm helped heal oral and genital herpes sores faster than a placebo. A double-blind trial found that topical application of a cream containing a highly concentrated extract of lemon balm(Melissa officinalis) four to five times a day helped heal oral and genital herpes sores faster than use of a placebo. |
2 Stars Lysine 1,000 mg daily | Taking lysine may speed healing and help prevent future outbreaks. Most research on lysine has been done on people with cold sores or on groups that include both cold sores and genital herpes sufferers. However, some evidence exists that supplemental lysine may be effective in the prevention and treatment of genital herpes. In one preliminary survey, 81% of people with HSV infections (including genital herpes) reported lysine was effective for reducing recurrences and shortening healing time in amounts averaging about 1,000 mg per day. A small double-blind trial of people with oral and genital herpes examined the effects of 1,248 mg or 624 mg of lysine daily versus placebo. The study found that 1,248 mg per day of lysine, but not the lower dose, was effective in reducing the recurrence rate of herpes outbreaks by 57% to 65%, while neither dose helped reduce the healing time. Another small double-blind trial found that using 3,000 mg per day of lysine in divided doses led to a decrease in severity of symptoms and a reduction in healing time of both oral and genital herpes. One preliminary report found no benefit of lysine for a group of patients with either oral or genital herpes. |
2 Stars Zinc Apply a topical preparation containing 0.025 to 0.9% zinc several times per day | Applying zinc topically may help prevent outbreaks and has been shown to stop the pain, burning, and tingling of a herpes outbreak. In a test tube, zinc is capable of inactivating the type of herpes virus responsible for the majority of genital herpes cases. Topical zinc may therefore help prevent outbreaks of genital herpes. One preliminary study treated people (four of whom had genital herpes) with a 4% zinc sulfate solution applied to the site of the initial outbreak. In all cases, the pain, burning, and tingling stopped within 24 hours of beginning the topical zinc therapy. The use of lower concentrations of zinc (0.025–0.05%) has also been shown effective against oral and genital herpes outbreaks. While topical zinc has been shown to be helpful, there is no convincing evidence that oral zinc offers the same benefits. |
1 Star Cloves Topical Refer to label instructions | Research suggests that substances found in cloves have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes. Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed. |
1 Star Eucalyptus Topical Refer to label instructions | Research suggests that substances found in eucalyptus have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes. Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed. |
1 Star Licorice Refer to label instructions | Licorice root contains antiviral substances, and ointments containing related substances are effective in treating herpes infections. Licorice root(Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains antiviral substances and ointments containing related substances are effective in treating herpes infections. While the use of topical licorice preparations to prevent or treat genital herpes has not been studied, some alternative healthcare practitioners recommend applying creams or gels containing licorice three to four times a day. |
1 Star Seaweed Refer to label instructions | Research research suggests that substances found in turmeric have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes. Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed. |
1 Star Turmeric Refer to label instructions | Research research suggests that substances found in turmeric have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes. Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed. |
1. Cohen F, Kemeny ME, Kearney KA, et al. Persistent stress as a predictor of genital herpes recurrence. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2430-6.
2. Cohen F, Kemeny ME, Kearney KA, et al. Persistent stress as a predictor of genital herpes recurrence. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2430-6.
3. Rand KH, Hoon EF, Massey JK, Johnson JH. Daily stress and recurrence of genital herpes simplex. Arch Int Med 1990;150:1889-93.
4. Cohen F, Kemeny ME, Kearney KA, et al. Persistent stress as a predictor of genital herpes recurrence. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2430-6.
5. Longo DJ, Clum GA, Yaeger NJ. Psychosocial treatment for recurrent genital herpes. J Consult Clin Psychol 1988;56:61-6.
6. Koehn KA, Burnette MM, Stark C. Applied relaxation training in the treatment of genital herpes. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 1993;24:331-41.
7. Gould SS, Tissler DM. The use of hypnosis in the treatment of herpes simplex II. Am J Clin Hypn 1984;26:171-4.
Last Review: 06-08-2015
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