Naturopathic Treatments For Herpes Simplex Virus

The herpes simplex virus can cause both oral and genital herpes.

Some people may experience symptoms, while others may not experience any at all.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, I have a special interest in naturopathic treatments for infections, and that includes herpes.

But while it’s one of the most common viral infections, naturopathic solutions are surprisingly effective in managing it.

Today, let’s take a closer look at herpes – what it is, how you might acquire it, and how naturopathic medicine can help.

What Is Herpes?

The herpes simplex virus, or HSV, is a viral infection responsible for oral and genital herpes.

Many people have asymptomatic HSV, which means they live with the virus without developing any outbreaks.

HSV can cause episodes of small blisters, or sores.

These blisters most commonly appear around your mouth and lips, or on the genitals.

They can also appear on your hands, fingers, or other parts of your body, but this is much rarer.

It’s quite common, as well.

According to Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights, a sexual and reproductive rights advocacy group here in Canada, it’s estimated that one in seven Canadians carries HSV, and most don’t realize it.

There are two main types of the herpes virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Let’s take a closer look at them below:

Herpes 1 (HSV-1)

HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes.

This condition is characterized by cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth.

Herpes 2 (HSV-2)

The HSV-2 variant primarily causes genital herpes.

This condition involves sores that appear on or around your genitals, anus, buttocks and inner thighs.

Most people carry HSV-1, since the virus can be transmitted orally.

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause both oral and genital herpes.

HSV-2 is less common in developing cold sores, but it is still possible.

How Do You Know If You Have Herpes?

If you do have HSV, symptoms will generally appear a few weeks to a few days after exposure.

Flu like symptoms can occur, such as:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Body aches and pains, or headache
• Chronic fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• A shooting pain at the site of infection

There may be some burning or itching at the site of infection before small, painful blisters appear.

There could be one blister, or a small cluster of blisters.

These blisters eventually burst and crust over before they begin to heal.

Sores can itch, and genital sores might cause pain while urinating.

Sometimes HSV will only cause one episode of symptoms, while others may experience occasional episodes every few months.

These recurrent episodes will become less frequent over time as your body releases antibodies to fight the virus.

Because of this, blisters will begin healing quicker.

Symptoms such as itching, burning or tingling can be an early sign of an outbreak.

How Do You Acquire Herpes?

Herpes is a contagious virus, and can be transmitted through contact with sores.

It’s possible to acquire herpes from somebody who doesn’t have any symptoms, though.

And with the statistics mentioned above, it’s no wonder this is a fairly common viral infection.

HSV-1 can be contracted via direct contact, including kissing, oral sex, and skin to skin contact.

HSV-2, or genital herpes, may also be contracted via direct contact, including kissing, oral sex, sharing sex toys, penetrative sex, and other skin to skin contact at the infection site.

RELATED: Men’s Sexual Health Toronto Naturopathic Doctor

Anyone can contract HSV, regardless of age or gender.

Viral shedding is when your body produces particles of the virus that can be transmitted to others.

The virus sheds from sores during an episode, but can also shed at other times, regardless of symptoms.

Shedding happens on about 10% of the days you are asymptomatic, and about 20% of the days you are symptomatic.

Viral shedding tends to decrease with time, and the amount depends on how long you have carried HSV.

Those who are immunocompromised may shed the virus more frequently.

Potential Complications

Once you’ve acquired herpes, it will stay in your nerve cells permanently.

Though dormant, it can reactivate occasionally and cause symptoms.

For some, certain triggers can lead to an episode, such as:

• Stress
• Menstrual periods
• Sunburn, or exposure to the sun
• Fever or illness

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Menstrual Pain

Some people with HSV may only have one episode, or none at all, while others may experience symptoms every month.

This virus can cause problems for certain types of people, including newborns, those who are immunocompromised, and people with HIV or cancer.

You might also develop herpes keratitis – this is an issue with your eyes.

It’s usually caused by touching a herpes sore and then touching your eye.

Symptoms of herpes keratitis include:

• Eye pain and redness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Discharge or excess tears
• A gritty feeling in your eye

If you have herpes keratitis, it’s important to seek treatment immediately.

If left untreated, it can cause corneal scarring and even blindness.

Naturopathic Treatments For Herpes

If you have herpes, it’s common for you to also have HPV – human papillomavirus.

These two diseases combined will cause your immune system to weaken.

As a result, naturopathic treatments often focus on strengthening it.

At the time of this writing, there is no known cure for herpes, but that doesn’t mean there are no treatments available.

Some of the naturopathic treatments for herpes I may suggest include the following:

1. Eat A Herpes Diet

When it comes to eating a herpes diet, the focus should be on foods that strengthen your immune system, while avoiding foods that weaken it.

Foods that can strengthen your immune system include:

• Dark leafy greens
• Berries
• Citrus fruits
• Bell peppers
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi

On the other hand, certain foods tend to be more likely to trigger a flare up of herpes symptoms.

Especially foods high in the amino acid arginine, such as nuts and seeds, dairy products, meats, legumes and seaweed.

Other potential triggering foods include:

• Coffee
• Black tea
• Green tea and matcha
• Red wine
• Other caffeinated beverages
• Chocolate

So it’s a good idea to avoid these.

2. L-Lysine

L-lysine is an essential amino acid.

That means, like essential nutrients, your body can’t produce it on its own.

You need to get it through diet.

Some studies have shown lysine can help prevent herpes outbreaks, and can decrease healing time when you do have a flare up.

It also has a number of other health benefits, including helping your body manage stress, which is a great lead in to the next point.

3. Manage Your Stress Levels

High stress levels can activate your nervous system, encouraging herpes symptoms to manifest.

Of course, herpes symptoms can themselves be stressful, so this can become a vicious cycle.

This blog has another article – How To Reduce Your Stress, Naturally – that can help.

4. Supplement With Vitamin C, Copper, And Zinc

Vitamin C is the classic immune boosting nutrient.

You’ve probably been told your whole life how much it can help.

Zinc also has some significant benefits for your immune health, but taking these two along with copper may help manage your herpes symptoms.

Make sure you speak to me first before supplementing though, since it mostly helps at fairly high doses – those should be done only under naturopathic supervision.

5. Take An Elderberry Extract

Elderberry is the dark purple berry that grows from the elder tree.

It’s often used as a treatment for managing colds and flus, because of its benefit in boosting your immune system.

As a result, it may also help manage your herpes symptoms.

More research is needed, but the results so far seem promising.

Be careful if you have an autoimmune disorder like Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease – it can trigger symptom flare ups.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ!

Have you recently acquired herpes?

Or are flare ups causing you no end of frustration?

I can help.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. JJ, today.