While the herpes simplex virus (HSV), also known as herpes, is better known for being a sexually contracted disease, it can also show up in the form of cold sores and fever blisters. Regardless, all of ‘em are nasty buggers – and it turns out that herbs could be the cure!
A review by herbalists and medical doctors published in Alternative and Complementary Therapies shows we have reason to believe that herbs might be a step in the right direction for ailing the HSV virus.
The analysis revealed that creams containing mint (particularly lemon balm), sage, and Chinese rhubarb are a cheaper and safer option to pharmaceutical drugs for treating cold sores.
The authors said that extracts of mint, basil, peppermint, heal all (Prunella vulgaris), rosemary, sage, and thyme could also fight cold sores, while tannin- rich herbs and tea tree oil might help in preventing transmission.
The effects of herbal preparations on the more serious form of the HSV virus, genital herpes, are not as well documented. While ointments containing propolis, a mixture of compounds harvested by bees from the resin of willow trees, have yielded potentially positive reults in treating genital herpes, researchers say they still need together more evidence.
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