Herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. There are two variations of the disease: HSV-1 affects the mouth, face and central nervous system; and HSV-2 affects the genital area. Conventional treatment involves antiviral drugs like acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. These drugs can have unpleasant side effects, like hair loss, vomiting and diarrhea. Herbal remedies may offer an alternative for herpes. It is important to consult a professional before beginning herbal therapy and to be aware of potential herb-drug interactions.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is an aromatic herb from the Lamiaceae family, which contains many plants with antiviral essential oils. The active ingredients in lemon balm essential oil are citral A, citral B, caryophyllen and citronellal. A study published in the 2008 issue of "Phytomedicine" found that the essential oil had a direct antiviral effect on both HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro. Further research on humans is needed to see if lemon balm will be an effective topical treatment.
South African Geranium
South African geranium, or Pelargonium sidoides, is a small evergreen plant with dark red-purple flowers. It is native to South Africa and used in local folk therapies to treat diarrhea, respiratory infections and tuberculosis. The plant is rich in polyphenols like proanthocyanidines and gallic acid derivatives, which are antioxidants and may also have antiviral properties. A study published in the December 2008 issue of "Phytomedicine" found that South African geranium root extract had high antiviral action against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro. The extract may be suitable as an antiviral drug for both forms of herpes, but more research is needed to test its efficacy on humans.
Wireweed
Wireweed, or Sargassum patens, is an aquatic weed found in sub-tropical oceans. Its active ingredient is a sulphated polysaccharide---a polysaccharide that has been chemically modified. Sulfated polysaccharides have antioxidant and antitumor properties, and show inhibitory action against a range of viruses, including herpes, cytomegalovirus and HIV. A study published in the 2006 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested the polysaccharide against two strains of HSV-1, one of which was resistant to acyclovir, an antiviral drug. The study found that the polysaccharide inhibited both viral strains from attaching to the host cells. The research demonstrates that the sulphated polysaccharide shows promise as an antiviral drug, but more research is needed to understand its mode of action.
References
- "Phytomedicine"; Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses; Schnitzler P, Schuhmacher A, Astani A, Reichling J; September 2008
- "Phytomedicine"; Efficacy of an aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirus; Schnitzler P, Schneider S, Stintzing FC, Carle R, Reichling J; December 2008
- "Phytomedicine"; Antiviral property and mechanisms of a sulphated polysaccharide from the brown alga Sargassum patens against Herpes simplex virus type 1; Zhu W, Chiu LC, Ooi VE, Chan PK, Ang PO Jr; November 2006
