This isn’t going to be the most glamorous or sexy blog post. But it’s one I have been wanting to write for some time now.

I have more clients than you might think that struggle with the herpes virus and outbreak, in one form or another. I too struggle from the occasional outbreak.

According to the World Health Organization, herpes (HSV-1or HSV-2) is a very common in the United States. HSV-1 is generally associated with oral herpes, while HSV-2 associated with genital herpes. However, either strain can affect either area. More than 75% of the US population has HSV-1 and more than 1 out of every 3 or 4 people (20%-30%) have HSV-2. Part of sharing this too, is to take the negative stigma and/or shame away from this condition. You can see how common it is and how many of us struggle with it. Shame and negative feelings will only contribute to outbreaks. So let's get that one out of the way! You're not alone!

I'd like to talk about preventing outbreaks as well as healing them quickly once they happen. These are all things I have tried and have helped me get and stay off medication.

PREVENTATIVE
The best way to keep outbreaks away to have a good working immune system. These are things like:

Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies, like those dark, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, berries have an amazing amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in them that we need to stay healthy. A great way to do this is load up half your plate of food at meal time with a colorful mix of veggies!
Lysine is an amino acid that has been shown to block the herpes virus from multiplying. Try food rich in lysine like while caught, cold-water fish, legumes and vegetables. Plus, a L-lysine supplement around 1,000 mg, 3 times daily on an empty stomach.
Chew your food well, this actually releases more nutrients and enzymes into our body. So try adding 10-15 more chews to every bite.
Immune supportive mushrooms like Reishi and Maitake have been shown to work on our white blood cell count and boost our immune system.
Supplements like Zinc (30 mg 2 times daily), Vitamin C (1,000 mg daily), and/or B-complex daily.
Avoid added sugars, alcohol, package and processed foods. These can contribute to inflammation and a lowered immune system.
Avoid foods high in arginine, like peanuts, nuts, wheat, gelatin, caffeine, oats and chocolate. L-arginine is an amino acid that might contribute to an outbreak

HEALING AN OUTBREAK
If you already have an outbreak, feel one coming on or simply know you might be more stressed with an upcoming work trip, plane travel, being around someone sick, etc. here's a few things you can do to speed the healing and get into remission:

Increase your L-lysine to a therapeutic dose of 3,000 mg 3 times a day, preferably on an empty stomach.
Take some anti-viral herbs: I like Vital Nutrients ViraCon capsules or a tincture of lemon balm, elderberry, Echinacea, licorice, calendula, astragulus, st. John’s wort, goldenseal or oregon grape and yellow dock.
Eat some garlic, this is a great natural anti-viral. You can take capsules or eat 1 fresh clove daily.
Start meditating – stress is a huge player in a herpes outbreak. Anything you can do to reduce your daily stress will help. Meditation, good sleep, an Epson salt bath, moderate exercise, etc. anything you find relaxing.
Other supplements to consider: zinc at 50 mg daily, vitamin c 500-1,000 mg 2-3 times daily, Omega-3 fish oil at 1,000-2,000 mg daily, Vitamin at D3 2,000-4,000 IU daily or Designs for Health's ImmunoBerry liquid.

I make a homemade liquid that I use on a cotton pad to help sooth any sores or irritation and help the healing process speed along.

Yvonne’s Soothing & Healing Herpes Formula

Ingredients (organic if possible)

1 oz. cucumber witch hazel
1 oz. lemon balm hydrosol
1 oz. pure aloe gel
3 drops of each essential oil: lemon balm, tee tree, st. john’s wort, calendula, lavender

Mix all ingredients well. I funnel mine into a 4 oz. jar and shake well. You can then pour onto a pad to use or using a wide-mouth ball jar or other glass storage container, fill with cotton rounds and pour solution on and keep with lid on. Use it as often as needed. Discard after single use, do NOT reuse any pad, since it’s possible to spread the sore to other places, though not likely. I like to be on the safe side.

If stored in a dark cook place, this should keep for a while, approximately 1-2 months. I would just check it by smelling it if it’s been stored for too long. You should know if it’s gone bad.

A few other things that seem to trigger outbreaks: sunburn or too much sun, sex, menstruation, food allergies and certain drugs. So, you might have to do some journalling to see if you one thing tends to trigger an outbreak more than other.

These remedies can help put the virus into remission, but herpes is not curable. There have been some new research out there showing that Kambo, medicine from a poisonous tree frog in the Amazon rain forest, has been shown to help. I am still learning more on this and am waiting for a few more studies to come out on it. But if you would like to read more, here.

Do you have any tips that have worked for you in keeping herpes in remission or outbreaks at bay?

Resources:
The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine by Joseph Pizzorno Jr, Michael Murray and Herb Joiner-Bay
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16813459
http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus

Image via Unsplash, by Katherine Hanlon