Herpes
I have herpes and am desperate to know of any natural remedies that might help. I am only 22 and am so depressed, I feel my life is over. Can you help?
I am going to recommend a two-pronged treatment regimen with both a topical cream and supplement tablets. Both remedies can help reduce both the number of outbreaks and their severity but, since we have no evidence to prove if you use them your partner is protected too, you must not rely on them in this respect.
The nutrient that can help suppress the herpes virus is lysine, an amino acid that is sold in supplement form as L-lysine. Good food sources include dairy products, eggs and beans but for a therapeutic dose of 1g, three times a day, you will need to take tablets. The reason it works is that lysine blocks the action of another amino acid, arginine, that the virus needs to replicate itself. This means is also makes sense to avoid arginine-rich foods, including fish, nuts and chocolate.
The topical cream you can use to prevent blisters and accelerate healing when you have them combines anti-viral lemon balm, (Melissa Officinalis) with anti-viral St John’s Wort. Lemon balm has been shown in lab tests to inhibit the herpes virus in a petri dish. Made by FSC, it costs £3.99 for 50g. Mail order from Revital (0800-252 875). This herb is also a good mood-booster. Take a Melissa tincture or herbal to help you overcome your depression. Again, mail order from Revital.