10 Home Remedies for Herpes

Herpes home remedies includes applying ice packs on affected area, using apple cider vinegar, using hydrogen peroxide, applying garlic, consuming and applying lemon balm, using licorice root, consuming peppermint tea, using tea tree oil, consuming coconut oil, using aloe vera, and changing your diet.

What is Herpes and Types of Herpes?

Herpes simplex-1 and two viruses are usually the cause of herpes outbreak. The simplex-1 virus causes oral herpes whereas; simplex-2 virus leads to the symptoms associated with herpes in your reproductive organs. Herpes is a highly contagious disease – physical or sexual contact can also transmit the disease from one person to the other – which is why herpes patients are kept in isolation.

Oral herpes is often transferred through the infected saliva of the individual which might be transmitted through eating or drinking from the same utensils, sharing personal items, or through physical contact such as a kiss. An infection anywhere on the face including your mouth, lips or any other facial part might cause it to transmit to another person. Herpes in reproductive organs is caused by unprotected sex organs and is manifested through ulcers or genital sores. In the initial stages of the infection, the symptoms might also be accompanied by fever.

When the initial outbreak subsides, the virus rests in the nervous system and might attack again bringing the onset of other illnesses, compromise your immune system or cause erratic hormonal changes.

Not many people are aware, but herpes can be treated with several home remedies as well. If these remedies fail to treat the symptoms adequately, the severity of the condition can at least be lessened to a greater extent.

10 Home Remedies for Herpes

1. Ice Packs

Take an ice cube and carefully wrap it in a piece of cloth or towel. Now rub the affected area with this icepack and watch the discomfort, pain, and uneasiness go away. Keep the ice on the affected area for at least 10 minutes, and you will start to notice the results after a few days.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is renowned for its disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. You can use a cotton ball, just dip in a small bowl of apple cider and apply it on the affected area. You might experience a tingling sensation because of the acidic nature of vinegar. Consuming apple cider vinegar mixed with water during flare-ups might also prove to be helpful.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant and one of the most favorite home remedies for herpes. It can either be used by crushing a lysine tablet or applied through a cotton ball on the affected area. Mixing it in water and using it as mouthwash is an ideal remedy for oral sores. Repeat the process several times a day and continue doing it for several weeks or until cured.

4. Garlic

A chemical present in garlic called allicin is research backed to have antiviral effects. Furthermore, garlic has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which are quite beneficial in reducing the impact of inflammation caused herpes. Rub garlic clove or some garlic oil over affected areas for about 10 to 15 minutes and repeat the procedure for several days. Garlic oil can be made by cooking garlic cloves in olive oil until the cloves are brown. Then take the cloves out and use the oil left.

5. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is enriched with a compound called eugenol, which is famous for its pain relieving, antibacterial and antiviral properties. You can also make some lemon balm tea twice or thrice a day or you can even apply the lemon balm teabag or oil on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes for over a week. Do this and watch the symptoms subside. Avoid consuming lemon balm tea though if you have high blood pressure.

6. Licorice Root

Licorice root is renowned for strengthening the immune system and fighting off herpes. A specific component recently discovered in licorice root called glycyrrhizin is said to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral benefits. Make a paste by mixing one tablespoon of licorice root powder and half a tablespoon of water and apply it onto affected areas. Repeat the procedure for at least three or four times a day and keep repeating it until the blisters are completely gone.

7. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint Tea soothes inflammation and eases the pain caused by herpes. Peppermint oil also contains a specific virucidal compound that helps fight herpes virus. You can consume peppermint tea twice or thrice a day and simultaneously dip a cotton ball in peppermint oil and apply it on the affected areas. This can provide you double protection, both inside-out from inflammation and discomfort caused by herpes.

8. Tea Tree Oil

With its pain-relieving, antibacterial and antiherpetic properties, tea tree oil can prove to be a highly effective remedy for inflammation caused by herpes. The terpenes, phenylpropanoids and antiviral properties in tea tree oil act as antiviral agents against the infection. You can add equal amounts of peppermint oil, geranium, and myrrh essential oils and apply the mixture through a cotton ball onto herpes affected parts.

9. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains copious amounts of capric acid and lauric acid which has shown to be highly effective in killing the herpes virus. Try to consume 3 tbsp of virgin coconut oil twice or thrice a day and watch the symptoms of herpes fade.

10. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is also a great source of treatment for herpes caused by simplex-2 since it heals sores and lesions and helps relieve inflammation and pain to a great extent. Directly apply aloe gel extracted from the plant or apply some aloe vera cream. Either way let the aloe dry on its own and wipe it off with a cloth dipped in lukewarm water.

More Home Remedies of Herpes

Furthermore, changing your diet and consuming lysine-rich foods such as dairy, nuts, eggs and apricots, mangoes, soybeans and or l-lysine supplement can also help prevent the outbreak of herpes.

Also, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are some of the cruciferous vegetables that are found to be helpful in fighting the herpes virus, lessening the intensity of pain and discomfort accompanying the symptoms.

Bottom Line

After having applied all of these home-based remedies, if you find that the intensity of your symptoms and sores have not lessened, schedule a consultation with your doctor without any delay. Usually, a weakened immune system or any other accompanying complication is hindering the process of betterment, therefore, consulting a doctor becomes exceedingly in such instances.

The doctor is then able to guide you through proper procedure and explain to you what might have been causing the delay in recuperation or hindering it all together.