Fast HSV Relief

Let's face it. No one has the time, energy, or patience to learn how to create complex natural remedy formulas amid a herpes crisis. The following all-natural remedy recipes contain up to three ingredients to quickly ease the itch, burn, and pain of herpes lesions.

 

• Aloe Vera gel can ease the itch. Use the gel from the inside of a fresh plant blade, or purchase it from a store. When buying over-the-counter gel, ensure it is pure and alcohol-free. Ouch!

 

• For pain, you can use clove essential oil. You must dilute clove essential oil before applying it to prevent skin burns. It may sting for a minute or two, even when diluted. Mix no more than 15 drops with 2 tablespoons of food oil, such as olive oil (or any other oil listed in this guide), to achieve a 3% dilution. Apply dabbing to blisters every 3-4 hours.

 

• For pain, break open the end of a vitamin E capsule and dab blisters with the oil. 

 

• Manuka honey can help relieve burning sensations and speed healing. To avoid a sticky mess, gently dab the tops of the sores with honey using a Q-Tip. Some say honey can sting a little. If this is the case, add pure water or coconut, emu, tamanu, neem, or Saint John's Wort oil (all antiviral) to the honey before applying it. 

 

• Coconut oil can provide moisture and a protective barrier so your skin doesn't pull tight when in motion. 

 

• Hot or cold packs can help. Take a sock. Fill it with rice. Warm it in the microwave for a minute or two and apply it to the area for 20 minutes at a time (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). Alternatively, place an ice pack in the area for 20 minutes at a time (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). You can also rotate the heat and cold every 20 minutes.

 

• Apply a baking soda and water paste to stop itching and dry out sores. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, acids, and starch, and can cause a slight sting on raw skin. As with raw honey (above), you can combine baking soda with a bit of coconut, emu, tamanu, neem, or Saint John's Wort oil (all are antiviral) before applying to reduce the risk of stinging. 

 

• Make a lysine paste. If you have lysine capsules or tablets on hand, you can break them open or crush the pills into a fine powder. Mix this with some virgin coconut oil to form a paste and apply to the sores. Lysine helps correct pH, which herpes hates, and helps you heal more quickly. The coconut oil is soothing. You can also make a paste with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, tamanu, Saint John's Wort, or neem oil and apply it to blisters with a Q-tip or a folded corner of a Kleenex or toilet tissue.

 

• Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water and dab it onto sores to speed up the healing process.

 

• Sometimes lesions can appear infected (oozing pus). You don't want a secondary infection. Crush a garlic clove in a few drops of olive oil and apply the paste to the lesions 3-4 times daily.

 

• Apply Saint John's Wort oil to target the herpes virus.

 

• Apply diluted witch hazel to ease inflammation.

 

• Neem targets the herpes virus. You'll need to dilute Neem Extract before applying it to your skin.

 

• Apply diluted lemon balm (Melissa) essential oil to lesions to target the Herpes Simplex Virus. Mix 12-15 drops of lemon balm essential oil with 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil, then apply to irritated skin.

 

• You can use Echinacea extract as an anti-inflammatory. You don't have to dilute it. 

 

• Ginger root kills the Herpes Simplex Virus on contact. However, dilute it first because it's a "hot" spice. The best way to form a paste is to add finely ground or powdered ginger to base oil, such as olive, jojoba, or coconut oil. You can also create ginger oil by adding ginger essential oil to a base oil, rather than using the ground or powdered root. 

 

• You can make calendula (marigold) tea and, when cooled, apply it topically to relieve pain from Shingles sores; it also helps with anal herpes and hemorrhoids. Add 1 heaping teaspoon to 1 cup of boiled water. Steep for 3 minutes, then strain. Allow it to cool before gently applying it to the skin with a soft cloth. You can also drink calendula tea.

 

• Sage and rhubarb extract (a combination) works well, if not better, than Acyclovir for HSV-1 (cold sores). Be sure to dilute it before applying.

 

• Thyme essential oil is antiviral, but you must dilute it. 

 

• Grapefruit extract may alleviate symptoms when used topically. When taken internally, it cleanses the gut while safeguarding friendly bacteria. It inactivates HSV directly and controls Candida.

 

• Mexican oregano essential oil is a potent antiviral, but it must be diluted before topical application.

 

• Apply goat's milk to target the herpes virus.

 

• Mix one tablespoon of Manuka honey (or raw honey from a farmer's market), one tablespoon of aloe vera gel (no alcohol), and six drops of vitamin E oil (or open two to three capsules and squeeze out the contents). Apply to lesions. There's no need to keep it in the fridge.

 

• You can purchase two types of licorice root: standard and deglycyrrhizinated (DGL). To ease the itch, burn, and pain of herpes lesions, choose the herb (or product) with Glycyrrhizin, as it is one of the components thought to fight against the herpes virus. You can apply Licorice extract directly to blisters to help reduce inflammation and target the herpes virus. You can also make a Licorice root tea or decoction and apply it topically. However, due to possible side effects, I don't recommend consuming it, except in small quantities, mixed with other herbs in tea.

 

 

Natural Remedy Safety Precautions

 

It's essential to remember that just because something is natural, it doesn't mean there aren't precautions to take.

 

• ALWAYS research potential herbal side effects and adverse interactions to any medications you're taking (prescription and over-the-counter). 

 

• ALWAYS test for sensitivity to herbs before applying them. To perform a patch test, place a tiny pea-sized amount on your inner arm or the top of one foot and cover it with a bandage. Over the next 24 hours, check for signs of itch, redness, irritation, or inflammation. If so, don't use it. 

 

• If you are pregnant or nursing, ALWAYS consult your care provider or someone trained in herbal preparation for moms and babies before trying any new herbal remedy. Some herbs (and their essential oils) are dangerous during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Topical oils are generally safe to use as long as the baby doesn't come into contact with them. Still, do your homework.

 

• AVOID SUNBURN. Essential oils derived from citrus plants (e.g., lemon and lemon balm) can cause a phototoxic reaction when applied topically. If you go out into the sunlight or use a tanning bed with essential oils applied to your skin, you may be more susceptible to burning.

 

• ALWAYS label your remedy creations with names and dates. You can do this with masking tape and a waterproof Sharpie. You can buy labels at a craft store or create labels through an online printing company.

 

• NEVER USE essential oils on or around your cat. Cats lack the enzymes needed to metabolize essential oils, unlike humans and dogs. Inhaling and licking essential oils can cause your cat to become ill and potentially lead to death. If an area of the home requires diffusing, such as a sick room, remove your cat from the room, diffuse behind closed doors, and ventilate the room well before allowing the cat access back into the area.

 

Note: This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

 

 

Back to HSV Q & A or Herpes Simplex Virus.