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Hardin Library of
Health Science,
University of Iowa.
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Herpes 1, AKA Cold Sores
As the icky-seasons approach and our immune systems are assaulted by
a vast array of nasty viruses, they inevitably become vulnerable to
conditions lying dormant, like Herpes 1, or Cold Sores. Symptoms include
a burning sensation around your lips and nose, followed by the
appearance of unpleasant sores. These sores sort of resemble pimples or
blisters, filled with fluid, which are later reduced to dry scabs. Generally
this virus is passed along by kissing someone who has it, but this doesn't
mean you should give your most recent kiss-companion a dirty look; you
could have picked this up from kissing a third grade classmate back in
1985. The virus can remain dormant in your system for years, waiting for
just the right weakened immune system opportunity to come out and wave.
Which brings us to the real question: how do you get rid of them?
Most recommended: L-lysine.
Every friend I have who suffers the periodic cold sore swears by L-lysine.
You can pick this up at just about any natural foods store or herbal
pharmacy, and you can get it in a liquid form, balm or salve form (to apply
directly), or in pill form. To beat back a flare-up, you want to ingest 1,000
mg, three times a day. To keep future flare-ups at bay, try 500 mg three
times a day between meals. 50 mg of Zinc a day is also suggested for
those hoping to prevent future break outs.
Ointment recommendations: lemon balm extract and licorice root
extract. Use one, not both, and either should be applied to the lesions 4
times a day. Aloe also has a reputation for killing the Herpes virus, and is
available at just about any drug store--especially now, since folks are
stocking up for sunburn relief. The Green Witch Herbal recommends this
potion: 6 drops of tea tree oil and 6 drops of eucalyptus mixed with a
couple of teaspoons of gin or vodka, applied with a q-tip or cotton swab
four times a day.
While you're at it: pump up your consumption of EFAs (Essential Fatty
Acids) as they provide good skin-healing fuel. Salmon, walnuts, and flax
seeds are generally considered the top EFA foods, or you can take a flax
seed and primrose oil supplement. Flax seed oil makes your skin and hair
look great, especially during the winter when you tend to dry out. Note to
my fellow ladies: primrose oil also works wonders for PMS.
Diet
You can pump up your diet with L-lysine for even better results. Try eating
legumes, fish, turkey, chicken, and a whole lot of vegetables and fruits,
especially the bright colored ones that are rich in Vitamin C. Avoid sugar
(which provides too good of an environment for bacteria to breed and
completely poos on your immune system) and acidic foods like oranges
and tomatoes. James Balch, co-author of a number of great books about
nutritional healing and herbal healing, suggests that you avoid foods high
in "the amino acid L-arginine, as it may stimulate HSV (herpes simplex
virus) replication" (Balch, 307). Foods high in L-arginine include most nuts
(excluding walnuts), whole wheat, and chocolate.
Also of note: This kind of outbreak means that your immune system is
weak, and the best preventative medicine is to pump up your immune
system. Get yourself an organic multivitamin, and pay attention to your
diet. Eliminate sugar (the immune system drainer) and you'll feel a lot
better. Echinacea and acidopholis (a probiotic bacteria found in yogurt
that can also be taken in capsule form) are also useful to pumping up a
weak immune system. Another note to the ladies: acidopholis is a miracle
yeast infection preventer and cure.
If you have a particularly huge flare up, please see a doctor or ND
immediately! Physicians have a much higher level of expertise than
anything I can offer, and they should be consulted before starting one of
these plans, especially if you are presently taking prescription medication.
For further reading:
To buy any of these books, click the Gimme Tab!
Balch MD, James F., and Stengler ND, Mark. Prescription for Natural
Cures. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
Balch, CNC, Phyllis A. Prescription for Herbal Healing. New York: Avery,
2002.
Griggs, Barbara. The Green Witch Herbal. Rochester: Healing Arts Press,
1994.
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