Alternative Medical Treatment for Herpes

Overview

Modern mainstream medicine offers nothing that can cure herpes. The best it can do is provide relief of symptoms--which typically include sores on the lips or genital area. Stinging, burning and itching are the most common complaints. In some cases, especially where symptoms are not severe, people find that they do not need to go the pharmaceutical route. Some alternative remedies do a good job of controlling herpes. For most alternative remedies, however, there is little or no scientific evidence that they work.

Lysine

Lysine is one of the best-known alternative remedies for herpes. It is an amino acid that may help to increase the speed of healing for herpes sores and lengthen the amount of time between outbreaks. It is taken in oral form at a dose of between 1 g and 3 g per day. A few studies have suggested that lysine is effective, particularly against oral herpes, but overall the evidence is not conclusive, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lysine is found not only in supplements but in some foods, including potatoes, eggs, fish and chicken.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil, applied to the surface of the skin, may help herpes lesions to resolve more quickly. Providers of holistic health care treatments believe it has virus-fighting qualities. The balm you buy should be made from the plant Melissa officinalis. If you would rather make your own product, take 3 tsp. lemon balm leaves, dried, and infuse them for 10 minutes in 1 cup water. Strain it and apply to your lesions as often as 5 times per day.

Red Marine Algae

Red marine algae is a variety of seaweed. It is sold in a capsule form and is believed by some alternative medicine practitioners to have antiviral properties. Specifically, it may stimulate your own immune system to wage a more robust battle against herpes by causing the production of lymphocytes, which fight the virus. You can take a capsule every day to, with luck, reduce the frequency of outbreaks. But be aware: Many varieties of red marine algae are sold as supplements. The only two that are believed to have antiviral action, however, are called dumontiaceae and gigartina.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, the history of which goes back 2,500 years, has been gaining mainstream medical credibility in recent years for indications including pain relief. It works by restoring balance to your body's life force, according to Chinese traditional medicine practitioners. Western doctors offer other possible explanations, including a hypothesis that acupuncture stimulates the release of pain-killing endorphins. If you sign up for acupuncture, you will be stuck at different points on the body with tiny needles--so tiny, in fact, that they cause little if any pain themselves.

Folk Remedies

Part of any strategy to minimize the length of a herpes outbreak should be keeping the sores dry and clean. After all, you want the sores to dry up and go away, and you do not want them to get infected with a secondary bacteria that will delay healing. If you have genital herpes, warm-to-hot baths are a good idea. While you are taking the bath, pour a bit of cornstarch on your genitals and then soak. It will help dry out the sores. Also, when you are experiencing pain, you can apply a wet teabag to the affected area. Black tea contains tannic acid, which can alleviate pain and itchiness.