Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from the common cold to wounds. Many herbs have a variety of benefits and can be used safely with modern over-the-counter and prescription medications. Herbs that have antiviral...
You probably know mentha piperita, or peppermint, as a flavoring for everything from gum to toothpaste. However, the plant has many medicinal uses, and herbalists have used all parts of peppermint to treat many different ailments, including...
The human papillomavirus, HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The more than 40 HPV types are transmitted through direct genital contact, most commonly during vaginal and anal sex. In 90 percent of HPV infections, the immune...
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. According to MedlinePlus, the virus infects more than 50 percent of Americans by the time their reach their 20s. Cold sores appear mostly on and near the mouth and, infrequently, on the...
Cold sores are the oral manifestation of a herpes infection. There are two main strains of herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2, with the former being the most common culprit behind cold sores. There is no cure for herpes because the virus is able to lie...
The herpes simplex virus that caused your first herpes outbreak remains in your body forever, reactivating often indiscriminately. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the HSV (types 1 and 2) that causes genital herpes outbreaks...
Rainforests exist on every continent and the largest and best-known is the Amazon tropical rainforest in northern South America. This abundant and biodiverse environment is nourished by heat, humidity and rain and potentially contains herbal...
The tingling, burning pain you notice around your lip generally means a cold sore is rising. Cold sores (fever blisters) are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, and usually occur when something triggers the dormant virus to reactivate, such...
Herpes simplex infections are characterized by the appearance of small red vesicles, either singularly or in clusters, on the mouth, lips, genitals or in the eyes. A 2004 study estimates that 20 to 40 percent of the U.S. population have recurrent...
Acne tends to crop up when you least want it to, like right before a big date, the prom or an important business meeting. Thankfully, there are some fast acne cures that can give you sweet relief from the red bumps and blemishes. Plus, most fast...
Identified in the 1970's by the American medical community, Candida is the more common name for Candidiasis, yeast overgrowth. Rarely acknowledged or diagnosed by physicians, Candida is well-accepted in holistic settings where it is felt to be the...
According to PDRhealth, urine infections, also known as UTI or urinary tract infections, can involve the urinary bladder, kidneys, prostate and the ducts that travel to the outside of the body. (See References 1) In women, this opening, called the...
Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory ailment caused by flu viruses. In extreme cases, influenza can cause death. In most cases, however, the flu causes mild to severe illness. Young children and the elderly are most susceptible to...
Cold sores are painful, often itchy, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear on the lips or, sometimes, the inside of the mouth or surrounding facial skin. The University of Maryland Medical Center estimates that 90 percent of American adults...
Herpes simplex is a common virus. Specific food choices as well as herbs and supplements can inhibit the herpes virus, preventing future outbreaks. A comprehensive treatment plan for herpes simplex virus (HSV) includes dietary modifications,...
Yeast infections are a common complaint of pregnancy. Rapidly fluctuating hormones, particularly estrogen, can foster the growth of yeast. Symptoms include an intense itch, a burning sensation and creamy, white discharge. While yeast infections...
Swine flu is caused by a specific strain of influenza known as the H1N1 virus. This virus affects your upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms that are similar to those caused by other influenza strains. These symptoms include fever higher than...
Hepatitis C is the infection of the hepatitis C virus, or HCV, that leads to the inflammation of the liver. Unprotected sex, drug abuse, blood transfusion, and long-term kidney dialysis are the major risk factors for hepatitis C. Chronic HCV...
Due to rising health costs, some people cannot afford to purchase the prescription medications they need. Those without insurance have to pay for their medications out of their own pockets, and some people do not make enough income to purchase...
The telltale itch, creamy discharge and burn usually mean one thing--yeast infection. Pregnant woman are even more likely to get them because of skyrocketing hormones. Estrogen, according to Baby Center, fosters the growth of yeast. While they are...
Olive leaf extract is an herbal supplement that is known for its antibacterial and antioxidant qualities. Some research has shown that it may help lower blood pressure in hypertension patients. Hypertension is a disease that can sometimes be...
Glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease caused by the Epstein Barr virus. It leads to symptoms such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite. The infection is usually spread by saliva and the symptoms...
Herpes simplex, a highly contagious virus that remains in your body for life, causes fever blisters, or cold sores. Herpes simplex infects between 62 and 85 percent of American adults, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While...
Herpes infections are caused by the herpes simplex virus and include HSV type 1, which commonly causes cold sores around the mouth and face, and HSV type 2, which affects the genitals, buttocks and anal area. HSV is transmitted by physical contact...
Herpes is an oral or genital infection caused by herpes simplex virus. Oral herpes infections are defined by cold sores around the mouth and face, and are generally caused by HSV-1. Another type of herpes virus called the HSV-2 causes genital...
Viruses are tiny capsules containing genetic material. They invade healthy cells of the body, multiply there and eventually kill the host cells. This can lead to a variety of infections ranging from common cold and warts to small pox and AIDS....
While licorice is commonly known as a sugary candy, the root from which the candy takes its name and flavor has many uses in herbal medicine. Scientific explorations into the benefits of licorice root support a range of medical applications....
Warts are small growths appearing singly or in clusters on various surfaces of the body. Common warts, plantar warts and genital warts are all caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Regardless of the type of wart, there are several vitamins...
HPV, or human papilloma virus, is primarily responsible for genital warts and common warts of the hands and feet in both men and women. HPV genital infection is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases. According to the National...
