Herpes, also called oral herpes, fever blisters and cold sores, is a viral infection that causes blisters around the mouth and lips. The pathogen is usually the herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1, but the herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2, which causes genital herpes, can also trigger an outbreak on the mouth. Conventional treatment may include antiviral drugs like acyclovir and famciclovir, but they can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs with antiviral action can be uses as home treatments for oral herpes. Individuals should consult a health care professional familiar with herbal medicines before starting herbal home treatment.
Caulerpa
Caulerpa, or Caulerpa racemosa, is a green algae that grows along the coast of India. Algae are rich in polysaccharides, which have anti-tumor, immune-stimulating and antioxidant actions. A study by E. B. Damonte published in the September 2004 issue of "Current Medicinal Chemistry" found that polysaccharides from seaweed are also potent antiviral agents. Caulerpa contains a number of polysaccharides, including galactose, mannose, rhamnose and fucose.
A study by P. Ghosh published in the December 2004 issue of "Phytochemistry" found that the polysaccharides in a water extract of caulerpa inhibited normal strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2 and acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV-1. The researchers also found that, at therapeutic levels, the extract did not have significant anticoagulant activity as compared to the antiviral drugs acyclovir and valacyclovir, which carry a risk of blood clots. Individuals should consult a health care professional familiar with herbal medicines before using caulerpa.
Leafflower
Leafflower, or Phyllanthus urinaria, is a tropical plant with fern-like leaves native to Asia. In traditional Asian medicine systems, the plant reduces heat and calms the liver. Traditional healers use it to increase urine flow and treat diabetes, flu, fever, vaginitis, headache and stomach disorders. In Taiwan, herbalists use it to treat hepatitis, kidney disease, and bacterial and viral infections.
Leafflower contains alkanol, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, triterpenes, plant sterols and tannins, and the plant has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. A study by C. M. Yang published in the April 2007 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that a compound in leafflower called 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose had significant action against HSV-1. Another compound, geraniin, was effective against HSV-2. Individuals should consult a health care professional familiar with herbal medicines before using leafflower.
Selfheal
Selfheal, or Prunella vulgaris, is an edible perennial plant with purple-blue flowers native to Europe and Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, selfheal clears heat and affects the liver and gallbladder. Worldwide, healers use selfheal to treat internal bleeding, sore throat, and liver and heart disorders. Selfheal contains triterpenes, rosmarinic acid, tannins and ursolic acid, and has a wide range of actions, including antiviral, anti-allergic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent.
In her 2002 book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, calls selfheal a potent antiviral herb. She states that selfheal works by preventing the herpes virus from growing inside cells and from binding to cells. Balch recommends selfheal tea as a home remedy. Selfheal should not be taken with anticoagulant medicine or if there are any gastrointestinal disorders. Users should consult a health care professional before using selfheal.
References
- "Current Medicinal Chemistry"; Sulfated seaweed polysaccharides as antiviral agents; Damonte EB, Matulewicz MC, Cerezo AS; September 2004
- "Phytochemistry"; In vitro anti-herpetic activity of sulfated polysaccharide fractions from Caulerpa racemosa; Ghosh P, Adhikari U, Ghosal PK, Pujol CA, Carlucci MJ, Damonte EB, Ray B; December 2004
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; The in vitro activity of geraniin and 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose isolated from Phyllanthus urinaria against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 infection; Yang CM, Cheng HY, Lin TC, Chiang LC, Lin CC; April 2007
