Herpes is a prevalent virus which effects at least a third of the world, be it cold sores or genital ulcers, Herpes is painful and embarrassing. The pain of Herpes is caused by the fact that the virus lives in the nerves.

It hibernates in the ganglia, and is officially impossible to kill. Living Herpes Free may be to live symptom free, or it may be to kill the virus.

True Home Remedies

These tried-and-true home remedies may help ease outbreak-related swelling, itching, and stinging. You probably already have what you need for these remedies in your kitchen cabinet or medicine chest.

Warm compress

Preliminary research suggests that it may be helpful to apply heat as soon as you feel a sore forming. If a sore has already formed, heat may help minimize pain and swelling.

Cool compress

You can also use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack or a clean, soft washcloth filled with ice to the affected area. Repeat as needed every four hours.

Baking soda paste

Applying a baking soda paste may help dry out lesions and relieve itching. To do this, dip a wet cotton ball or Q-tip into a small amount of pure baking soda, and dab it on the sore.

Cornstarch paste

Corn starch paste may also dry out lesions and relieve itching. Dip a wet cotton ball or Q-tip into a small amount of cornstarch, and apply it to the affected area.

Topical garlic

Older research suggests that garlic may have antiviral properties against both strains of herpes. Crush up a fresh clove of garlic and mix it with olive oil to dilute. You can apply this mixture to a sore up to three times per day.

Topical apple cider vinegar (ACV)

ACV is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. To reap some of these benefits, mix one-part ACV with three-parts warm water and apply to the affected area.

Infection and Transmission

Joining forums and support groups is a great way to dispel the power of Herpes, especially genital herpes, which is due to its STD nature hard to talk about. Unfortunately what a lot of people are unaware of is that condoms are not enough to avoid transmitting genital herpes.

It is passed on by infected skin to skin contact, not through sexual fluids. Herpes is a virus that needs to be treated on all of these levels. As Herpes essentially lives in the Nervous System, state of mind, state of emotion and state of being is the environment in which Herpes lives.

What Causes Herpes Infections and Outbreaks?

It is hard to fathom, but Herpes can be an ally. It is a barometer to your health and well-being. Once identified triggers can be minimized if not eliminated, and if the tingling of the Herpes virus is noticed you may be able to tell if you are making a wrong turn somewhere.

There are loads of cases where genital herpes came up due to uncertainty in intimate relationships, or pressure from being unable to set boundaries. When Herpes comes up in these stressful times it is important to treat the immune and nervous systems, as well as looking at how to manage relationships with partners, friends, family and colleagues in a way that isn’t compromising your boundaries.

Herpes Signs and Symptoms

Herpes breaks the body’s premier boundary – the skin. Metaphysically it is essential to maintain integrity. Integrity is what holds boundaries together. One of the biggest signs of a Herpes outbreak being on its way is the foul of foulest moods.

It has been described as “being dirty on the world”. With this going on maintaining integrity and right relationship is way difficult, and doesn’t Herpes know it. If you feel this happening start treating yourself.

Treatment Options

Treatment for Herpes is individual. My preferred treatment is to boost the immune system, support the immune system, use the antiviral drugs during an outbreak alongside a herbal cream topically and nutritional advice.

Just prior to and during an outbreak, it can feel like this is a life sentence, but you just need support, physically, nutritionally and emotionally. Seeking advice from a naturopath or herbalist is invaluable in treating Herpes.

Even if you don’t kill off the virus, you can lengthen the chain it may hold around you. There is hope to live symptom free, Herpes Free.

What is Herpes Simplex Virus?

There are various types of herpes virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus type (HSV) 1 and type 2 are the most prevalent ones.

They cause cold sores or fever blisters and genital herpes respectively. These infections can be very embarrassing and very contagious.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

The Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 infects the facial area. The virus enters the body 2 to 10 days after contact with an infected person. The area at which it made the entry could become itchy and painful.

A blister then forms around the area. The blister bursts may be accidentally with the liquid inside oozing out. The tender ulcer heals within 7-14 days leaving no scar.

When you have a fever blister or cold sore, you should be very careful not to infect others. This you can avoid by not kissing, sharing cups, lip balms, face towels, plates, spoons etc.

The cold sores have two stages, the primary and recurrent stages. The primary stage takes 2-20 days after the infection. A blister then occurs on the facial area. The recurrent stage is usually much more mild and is usually triggered by fever, menstruation period, fatigue, high acid foods or poor immune system.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 infects the genital area. This infection is called genital herpes and is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get infected during sexual intercourse or even during oral sex.

You can use latex condoms though this is not a 100% sure way of prevention. If the areas surrounding your genital areas are infected. You could also infect your partner because the condom does not cover this area.

Pregnant mothers could also give the herpes simplex virus to their unborn babies during child birth. It is therefore advisable to inform your doctor if you have the infection.
The infection can clear within 14 days or even take a month.

This Herpes simplex virus remains dormant in your body and can recur at a later date. You may carry the virus and not even know that you have it.

Why Does Herpes Hurt So Much?

Both types of Herpes Viruses live in neural ganglia near the site of infection. For Cold Sores the virus lays dormant in the area around the TMJ nerves, in genital herpes the virus lays dormant in the sacral lumbar area.

When the virus activates one of the symptoms is shooting pains and tenderness into the nerve where the virus has been living.

This kind of pain that the Herpes Virus inflicts on its host (or poor sufferer) is similar to the nerve pain of sciatica, and as the breakout continues, it becomes localized to the site of first infection.

The pain then is more radiating and can be incredibly intense. In genital Herpes this can cause discomfort when sitting, urinating and in severe outbreaks even walking can worsen the pain.

With cold sores (Herpes), the pain can be exacerbated by wind, salty or acidic foods and splitting if in the corners of the mouth. As with any type of break in the oral mucosa, it is extremely difficult not to play with it with the tongue or teeth, which in turn make it, take longer to heal, but with the intense pain – what do you do?

How to Minimise Pain?

A mixture of topical applications and internal herbs help to minimise pain whilst treating the Herpes virus. St John’s Wort is a great herb for treating Herpes, as it has an affinity to viruses, and was historically used to treat nerve pain.

St John’s Wort is also a great Nervine often used for treating depression. Before considering using St John’s Wort to treat Herpes, it is crucial to check in with a Naturopath or Medical Herbalist as St John’s Wort does interact with some prescription medicines.

Topically Propolis is extremely effective to minimise the recurrence and pain of a Herpes outbreak. Studies have proven that Propolis cuts down the recovery time and the severity of the outbreak. Often Herbalists make a balm or ointment that be applied to the affected area. It is essential to use a cotton bud or some kind of applicator to avoid spreading the infection.

Having a friend to talk to about symptoms of the Herpes virus may help to alleviate some of the physical pain, especially with genital Herpes. This is a fully loaded virus, it sticks around, taps into the nerves and strikes at the emotions guilt and shame.

Having to hold all of this in and cope with being uncomfortable and run down is a lot to have to carry. There are also support groups around each community where stories can be shared and solutions found.

Herpes Wellness Plan

For a well-rounded and individual Herpes Wellness plan, it is a great idea to consult with a Naturopath or Medical Herbalist. Every infected person will have a slightly different symptom picture and will have different triggers.

The best way to avoid the pain of Herpes is to build an impenetrable immune system, which will keep the virus dormant forever. I think of Herpes as a barometer for the host’s health. If the host is strong, in integrity and balanced in mind, body, feeling and spirit, then the virus will have no room to move.

However, a glitch in any area and the virus can come alive and revel in the misery in incurs.