There are more than 70 viruses in the herpes family, but only four affect humans. The most common strain found in people is herpes simplex, which occurs as type 1 or 2. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the latter, also commonly referred to as genital herpes, affects one in six people, most of them women. As the name implies, genital herpes involves outbreaks of fluid-filled lesions in the genital area. While there is no cure, antiviral drugs can reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks. Certain vitamins, other supplements and home remedies may also help, but check with your doctor before self-treating your condition.
Vitamins
In addition to adhering to a balanced diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, Michele Picozzi, author of “Controlling Herpes Naturally,” recommends a daily multivitamin to maintain a healthy nervous system and promote optimum immune function. Specifically, antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E are key to supporting immunity. The vitamins that make up the B complex family, namely thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin and folic acid, are required for healthy cell metabolism.
Lysine
This amino acid is the building block of protein and collagen, so it plays a role in maintaining the health of your skin. According to a review published in "American Family Physician" in October 2005, there is clinical evidence that lysine therapy may benefit people with genital herpes. Dietary supplements are usually in the form of L-lysine as tablets or capsules. Natural dietary sources of lysine include nuts, eggs, cheese, legumes, fenugreek seed, fish, beef, pork and poultry.
Zinc
According to a 2000 study published in "Metal-Based Drugs,” zinc complexes that are paired with picolinic and aspartic acids interrupt certain steps necessary for the successful replication of the herpes simplex virus type 2, at least in cultured cell samples. A subsequent study published in "Acta Virologica" in 2005 reports that zinc complexes are effective against both herpes 1 and herpes 2, including drug-resistant strains.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis, or lemon balm, has a long history of use in folk medicine for a variety of ailments, including viral infections. A study published in "Natural Product Research" in 2008 shows that the effect of lemon balm extract against herpes simplex virus type 2 is comparable to the pharmaceutical medication acyclovir, which the study authors attribute to cinnamic acid-like compounds, such as rosmarinic acid. According to the “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines,” however, lemon balm contains other compounds that contribute to its antiviral properties, including linalool, geraniol and eugenol.
Topical Remedies
According to scientists at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, several species in the Lamiaceae family of plants demonstrate considerable antiviral activity against herpes 2 when applied topically. The results of this investigation, which were published in “Planta Medica” in December 2006, referred to the beneficial effects of the liquid extracts of lemon balm, thyme, rosemary, sage, prunella and peppermint.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet
- “Controlling Herpes Naturally”; Michele Picozzi; 2006
- "American Family Physician"; Genital Herpes: A Review; J.G. Beauman; October 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lysine
- "Metal-Based Drugs"; Zinc(II) Complexes - A New Group of Non-Mutagenic Herpes Simplex Virus Inhibitors; M. Pesheva, T. Varadinova; 2000
- "Acta Virologica"; Effect of metal complexes of acyclovir and its acetylated derivative on Herpes simplex virus 1 and Herpes simplex virus 2 replication; T. Varadinova, et al.; 2005
