Natural Treatments for Genital Herpes: Here Are Your Best Options

Genital herpes, also known as herpes simplex, is a stubborn virus. Though it can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed. Many natural treatments for genital herpes make it possible to control and treat this condition and minimize its impact on your comfort and quality of life. 

Is There a Cure to Genital Herpes?

Unlike bacterial infections that can be quickly cured with antibiotics, a virus such as HSV-2 causing genital herpes has no immediate cure. But that doesn’t mean a painful genital herpes outbreak is out of your control! 

These genital herpes natural treatments make it possible to reduce inflammation, irritation, and other common symptoms. When you take the following steps to minimize the effects of genital herpes, you can escape the worst effects of an outbreak and get back to living your life. 

How to Control Herpes Outbreaks With Food

Food doesn’t just nourish your body, it defines how your body functions. Eating certain foods and avoiding others may help bolster your immune system. The stronger your immune system, the better it can combat the herpes virus and keep you outbreak-free. 

Foods to Adopt

You can’t go wrong by eating healthy, but these choices, in particular, have been shown in clinical and anecdotal research to prevent herpes outbreaks. 

Lean protein

Eggs, almonds, chicken, and other sources of lean protein play a key role in your body’s ability to fight infection. In particular, it’s two amino acids found in protein – glutamine and arginine – that modulate your body’s response to viruses like genital herpes. 

Omega-3 fatty acids

These fatty acids are indispensable in your battle against inflammation. Load up on salmon, chia seeds, flaxseed, and mackerel to superpower your body’s response to inflammation and, in turn, limit or manage the effects of your next genital herpes outbreak. 

Zinc

Chickpeas, pork, lamb, and wheat germ all contain high levels of zinc. Research shows that zinc ions are active against the herpes simplex virus and may even extend the time between outbreaks. 

Foods to Avoid

The same foods that threaten your overall health also compromise your body’s ability to fight the herpes virus and reduce the impacts of each outbreak. Avoid the following to ensure your body remains in prime fighting condition. 

Heavily processed foods

Processed foods, which are normally found on the interior aisles of the grocery store, are loaded with synthetic ingredients. In many cases, the food’s existing nutrients are stripped away in the preservation process. 

Freezer meals and refined grains, for example, contain synthetic and processed ingredients that trigger oxidative stress. It’s important to keep your body’s oxidative stress low to promote healing during herpes outbreaks, so eating heavily processed foods creates an uphill battle to recovery.

Added sugar

The added sugar found in treats, desserts, and refined foods stunts your body’s natural healing abilities. Extra sugar is also converted into acid, which attacks your body and exacerbates herpes outbreak symptoms. 

What Supplements Help Treat Herpes?

It isn’t always possible to eat foods containing the high levels of nutrients your body needs to manage genital herpes, but supplements can help. Work with your healthcare provider to select a supplement that may suppress outbreaks and improve your well-being. 

Lysine

Research is still ongoing, but recent reports suggest that daily lysine supplementation may reduce the recurrences of herpes outbreaks. Though lower doses of lysine show little effect, high doses of up to 3,000 mg a day may be beneficial. 

Probiotics

Probiotics are well known for their immune-boosting abilities. Now research also shows that certain probiotic strains can limit herpes infections as well. 

Vitamin B Complex

The full range of B vitamins serves many critical roles in your body, including healthy cell growth, metabolism, and energy. You need all of these functions in full force to respond to an active outbreak of herpes. 

How to Manage Genital Herpes With Compresses

Warm and cold compresses are the simplest natural treatment for genital herpes. Though the idea of a compress might sound “old fashioned”, research shows that topical therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks and even contribute to the prevention of outbreaks when used promptly. 

Here are a few tried-and-true natural compress ideas to get you started:

• -Dry, warm compress using warmed rice in a sock
• -Cold compress using an ice pack or soft washcloth filled with ice
• -Baking soda paste
• -Cornstarch paste
• -Crushed garlic cloves mixed with olive oil
• -Topical apple cider vinegar using one-part ACV and three-parts warm water

Genital Herpes Natural Treatment Options

Of course, no conversation about genital herpes natural treatments is complete without discussing the topical herbs and essential oils shown to accelerate healing, soothe itching, and improve comfort. 

Aloe vera

Aloe vera isn’t just for sunburn! Pure aloe vera offers antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and wound healing properties that soothe herpes symptoms and encourage rapid healing. 

Essential oils

Essential oils are derived from the “essence” of plants, flowers, roots, and trees. They’ve been used since ancient times to naturally treat a wide variety of conditions, from indigestion and burns to anxiety and respiratory problems. 

A number of essential oils offer the healing, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that are critical to managing genital herpes:

• -Tea Tree Essential Oil
• -Ginger Essential Oil
• -Thyme Essential Oil
• -Greek Sage Essential Oil
• -Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Be sure to mix essential oils in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil to protect your skin. 

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is known for its strong antiviral properties. Apply it to your skin to alleviate symptoms and help your body fight the virus causing genital herpes. 

High-Powered Light Treatment

With so many natural treatments for genital herpes, you can fight back against recurring outbreaks and achieve comfort and healing. Especially if you use a high-powered light therapy like Luminance RED, a ground-breaking addition to the existing options for general herpes natural treatments.

Luminance RED nourishes the skin with a 660 nanometer light wavelength, which is metabolized to accelerate the body’s healing process and strengthen its defenses against future attacks. Regular use of Luminance RED not only shortens the healing time of active outbreaks, but it can help prevent future outbreaks altogether!