Best herbs and herbal formulas for treatment of genital herpes (Type II) (Herpes Genitalis, Venereal Herpes)

INITIAL SYMPTOMS

Recurrent fluid-filled blisters on the genitals that rupture; this leaves red, inflamed, painful lesions. These are preceded by a slightly irritating tingling. When the lesion appears, it is accompanied by a sharp pain.

LATER SYMPTOMS

This viral infection can range from a symptomless infection in the nerves to a major inflammation of the liver, accompanied by fever. In women, it can lead to cervical cancer. There seems to be a link between having Type II and later developing atherosclerosis.

CAUSES

Of the 90 varieties of animal herpes, only four affect humans. Herpes is a virus that causes recurrent blisters and ulcers. Type 1 is cold sores, also called fever blisters; these affect the lips. Type II affects the genitals; this can produce blisters either on the genitals or around, the mouth. Type III is herpes zoster, which causes chicken pox and, as a secondary infection, shingles.

    We will here deal only with type II, which is also called herpes genitalis, venereal herpes and genital herpes. It is the most prevalent transmitted disease in the United States. One-sixth of all Americans (about 30 million) have the disease, although about half never develop serious symptoms. A half million new million cases are reported yearly; and 80% are 20 to 39 years of age. Herpes is a virus which enters the body through the skin and travels into the nerve groups at the base of the spine. The first attack generally occurs about 4-8 days after initial exposure to a sexual partner. Each occurrence is quite painful and lasts up to three weeks; but, once a person is infected, the disease can be transmitted at any time. Symptoms reoccur every few weeks to once a year or less. Scarring does not usually occur, but can. Outbreaks rarely occur after the age of 50.

   It remains with you the rest of your lifetime; it can be dormant for years and then appear again when the immune system is lowered by poor diet, stress, illness, too much sunlight, or harmful chemicals. It tends to recur especially when sexual intercourse takes place, as a result of irritation to the skin. It is not a newly invading infection, but one which was received from a sexual partner at an earlier time.

   As a baby passes through an infected birth canal. It can get Type II and possibly have brain damage, blindness or death as a result. If an attack occurs late in the pregnancy, the baby should be delivered by cesarean section. If no lesions are present, the baby is far less likely to become infected as it passes through the birth canal.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• The diet should be alkaline in reaction. Eat only nutritious food (especially brown rice, vegetables, potassium (thick white potato peeling) broth, and some lentils). Drink only distilled water and get plenty of rest. Drink plenty of fruit juices and carrot/ beet/ cucumber juice.

Foods to avoid are sweets, alcohol, immune-suppressing drugs, and (for some people) citrus. No chocolate, peanuts, nuts, seeds. Also no refined or processed foods. The virus lives in red meat and fat; you do well to stop eating meat products. There are substances in meat which encourage the growth of type II.

• DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide), a by-product of wood processing, is a liquid which can be placed on the affected area to relieve pain and promote healing. Only use the type sold in health-food stores.
• Some physicians prescribe BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) for this disease; but it is known to cause perforated stomachs.
• Both internally and externally, apply to the area of the problem: black walnut or golden-seal extract and / or cayenne and red clover.
• Other helpful herbs include golden-seal, Echinacea, myrrh, Aloe Vera and burdock.
• Lightly dab tea tree oil on the affected area several times a day, either full strength or slightly diluted. It is powerful antiseptic. Do not get it near your eyes.
• Here is a formula which one herbalist has used effectively: Mix the following powdered herbs: 25% each of Echinacea and chaparral,12% each of sarsaparilla and Oregon grape root, 10% of Poria cocos and 8% each of licorice root and ginger. Put them in #00 capsules; take 2 capsules, 3-4 times daily, for at least 3 months, along with an extremely careful diet.
• To relieve pain inflammation, apply ice packs to lesions. Get some early morning sunlight on lesions.
• Take hot baths frequently as a fever therapy remedy.
• Wear only cotton underwear.
• Do not share drinking glasses, scratch the blisters, touch genital sores, or have sex. Doing any of these things can spread the disease.