Herpes is a type of viral infection, which is caused by a virus known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV).One of the primary and most prominent symptoms of this disease is lesion formation.
The patient’s body may develop these lesions in places like the lips, around nails and around the genitals. It is very difficult to eradicate the herpes virus, but regular usage of some of these effective home remedies can help provide relief from the symptoms while strengthening the immune system to help the body fight the virus.
Best Home Remedies For Herpes
Lemon
Lemon is considered to be a good home remedy for herpes. It works effectively although slowly, to gradually free the body from herpes virus and to reduce the blisters associated with herpes. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and which in turn prepares the body to fight against the herpes virus and herpes antibodies. Regular consumptions of lemon juice can effectively reduce the number of herpes antibodies in the blood.Apart from that, lemon also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Healing properties of lemon aid in gradually healing the blisters. Additionally, lemon juice or lemon balm also provides relief from inflammation and itching when applied regularly. You may feel a stinging sensation at first but then it gradually provides a soothing effect to the blisters.
Manuka Honey
It is one of the most effective home remedies for herpes, whose effectiveness is also supported by clinical trials. Clinical trials have proven that regular application of manuka honey speeds up the healing process of the lesions that may occur as a result of herpes. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties which help kill the herpes virus and provide relief from the associated symptoms like HSV lesions. Manuka honey aids in healing the blisters by drawing away water from them and by killing the residential virus. Other than that, its high sugar content heals the lesions by preventing the growth of microorganisms. Manuka honey can be applied directly over the blisters and lesions to heal them.
Garlic
Garlic is a great natural home remedy for many health disorders, including herpes. Its natural antiviral and antibacterial properties help relieve herpes symptoms by preventing the growth of the microbes. Apart from that, garlic has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which also relieve pain and inflammation that occurs as a result of the HSV lesions.
A natural source of vitamin C, garlic also helps to cure herpes by strengthening the immune system. A clove of garlic can wonderfully heal a lesion when applied topically for atleast 3-4 times a day. Apart from that, you can also simply apply the juice of raw garlic by first smashing the garlic clove and then extracting the juice from it.
Aloe Vera
Pure aloe vera gel is a great skin healer. It can heal the HSV (herpes simplex virus) lesions with regular application. Saponin a type of chemical found in aloe vera gel helps to heal the lesions and improve the skin condition by acting as an anti-microbial agent. Aloe vera gel heals the lesions without drying them out. It is especially very useful for relieving the pain, inflammation and itchiness that occurs as a result of the lesions.
Apart from that, the moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gel help to diminish the inflammation while healing the lesions.Over the counter aloe vera creams are not useful for treating the lesions. Only pure aloe vera gel or over the counter tube gels which contain atleast 99 percent pure aloe vera gel should be applied. Applying the gel 3-4 times a day can help provide faster relief from HSV lesions.
L-Lysine
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that is very popular for treating herpes. This amino acid is not produced by our body and is needed to be supplemented through the means of food and supplements. Although there are little scientific proofs that can support the action of lysine, its natural properties indicate that this home remedy should work on herpes.
Lysine works by preventing the production of another amino acid called arginine that stimulates the growth of herpes virus. Lysine helps to boost the immune system and reduce the chances of future outgrowths. Lysine can be taken in the form of supplements or naturally in the form of foods like red meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes relieve the resultant pain and inflammation of HSV lesions. The cooling effect helps sooth the area which effectively reduces the pain and inflammation. An ice pack can be prepared by wrapping up some ice cubes in a handkerchief or a soft piece of cloth. The ice pack can then be applied over the lesions as many times a day as required.
However, you must be careful not to apply unwrapped ice cubes over the lesions as then it will produce a severe burning sensation instead of providing a soothing feeling. Apart from soothing the lesions, ice cubes also help to kill herpes virus by creating an unfavourably low-temperature climate for the virus. Since virus can’t replicate or survive under extremely low temperature conditions, the lesions will automatically heal.
Black Tea
Black tea leaves are also very popularly used for the treatment of herpes. These leaves have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which help heal the lesions. Apart from that, black tea leaves also have anti-inflammatory properties which help soothe the itchiness and burning sensation.Black tea bags can be applied directly over the lesions. When applied regularly for 5-6 times a day, black tea leaves can heal the lesions. Both warm and cool black tea bags can be applied over the lesions to heal them.
Baking Soda
The drying property of baking soda has made it a popular remedy for herpes. This easily available home remedy is used to dry out the lesions occurring as a result of herpes. It effectively reduces the lesions by drying them out and by providing relief from itchiness at the same time. Baking soda can be applied on the lesions in any part of the body.Just soak a cotton swab in water to dampen it and then dip it in a little bit of baking soda. Apply the baking soda over the lesions, by being careful not to dip the swab again in baking soda as it may contain the virus.
