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Genital Herpes. Herbs And Natural
Remedies For
Treating Genital Herpes.
Genital herpes is a viral
infection that affects skin and mucous membranes of the genitals and the area
around them. It is caused by two types of viruses:
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Herpes simplex virus-type
2 (HSV-2) that causes genital herpes in the majority of cases, and Herpes
simplex type 1 (HSV-1), which normally is the causative agent of herpes in
nasolabial area.
In recent years, due to
the diversification of the type of sexual contacts and widely practiced oral
sex, significance of infection with HSV-1 genital herpes, is becoming more important.
Ways of infection with herpes virus
Most often infection
occurs during sexual contact with a partner with active infection (you feel pain, redness and blistering). Extremely contagious is the fluid from the blisters, the presence of
wounds or scratches and minor injuries, which make easier transmission of the
infection. It has been shown, that contamination can be obtained and in contact
with a carrier of the virus, but who has no signs of the disease.
This is
possible during the so-called virus propagation period on the skin surface,
prior to the clinical manifestations. Important from a
practical point of view to know that herpes in the mouth and face can spread to
the genital area of a partner during oral
intercourse. In this case, the cause
is often HSV-1.
By touching or scratching herpes, the viral infection can
spread from one to another part of our body, or if you both use a common towel
for both areas. It is possible for a person to carry the herpes of his own lips
over their genital area.
It is possible the herpes
infection to be transmitted from mother to newborn during birth.
Symptoms
The first attack is more
severe and the rest ones are in a mild form. You can feel- fever,
fatigue, pain during urination, pain in muscles and joints, enlarged lymph nodes.
The complaints are different and depends
on the immune system.
Most common in men, rash
appears on the penis’s head, or over the whole penis. In women, it appears on
vulva, large or small labia, but may appear in the perineum, buttocks or inside
the vagina and cervix.
Some more important symptoms are:
- numbness of the genitals
and buttocks,
- appearance of small red
blisters or sores on the genitals and inside
- swollen lymph nodes in
groins,thighs, also in the vagina
- it can be painful or not
- vaginal discharges in
women
- fever
- muscle aches
- headache
- painful urination
Complications
- Inflammation of the
urethra from viral infection, accompanied by burning pain and difficulty in urination.
- Inflammation of the anal
area and anal canal, associated with pain and discharge from the rectum.
- Neuralgic pain
associated with nerve damage from herpes virus.
- Spreading of rash in people
with weakened immune system.
- Herpes during pregnancy
- herpes infection does not affect a woman's ability to conceive. If herpes
occur in the first months of pregnancy the risk of harm to the fetus is minimal,
but each case must be assessed by a specialist.
- Transmission of
infection to the newborn – if mother is carrier of the herpes during birth, it
can lead to infection of the newborn. Therefore you should tell it to your GP.
Herbs and natural remedies for treating genital herpes
Common balm
Common balm is one of
the most effective herbs for herpes. It contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and
rosemary acid that prevent genital herpes virus to reproduce itself in the body. During first signs of appearance
of the virus, you can apply cream with common balm in places where you feel
burning, itching and pain. You can also use common balm tea to wash the affected
area or directly impose on them tea bags.
Recipe
Boil 250 ml of water and add 1 tablespoon of dried common balm.
Filter and apply. More the better.
Common balm is also
available in form of creams and ointments.
Aloe vera
Research has shown that
it contains substances called polysaccharides such as acemannan, which possess
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunostimulant properties. Other
components of aloe are amino acids, which also contribute to growth and
recovery of body tissues.
Apply aloe at the first
sign of occurrence of genital herpes. Aloe can be found as a cream, ointment or
lotion. Aloe cream in a concentration of 0.5% may be applied three times daily.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a medicinal
plant with antiviral and immunostimulatory properties. All parts of the plant
(leaves, flowers and roots) may be used for the therapy of herpes. It can be
taken as a tea, juice or supplement.
Propolis
Propolis is a bee
product with exceptional beneficial properties. It can be placed directly on
the skin to soothe irritation, and also to suppress the virus.
Black tea
Black tea is rich in
tannin and has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Prepare black tea
bag and let it cool. Then apply it for about 5 minutes on the lesions. For
better results, repeat the procedure twice or three times daily.
Lysine
Lysine is an amino acid
known for its ability to control and prevent herpes. Recommended dose is 1000
mg three times a day, even in the absence of symptoms. Eat foods rich in
lysine, such as legumes, fish, turkey, chicken and leafy vegetables. Avoid
consumption of chocolate, nuts and seeds, since they contain a different amino
acid - arginine which prevents the absorption and action of lysine and thus
assists the virus.
Olive oil
Olive oil is known as a remedy
for skin moisturizing. It is rich in antioxidants. For this purpose, take a cup
of olive oil, heat it, add a little lavender oil and beeswax in it. Allow the
mixture to cool and apply it on the affected areas.
Ice
One of the easiest
method herpes treatment is ice. It provides great relief of pain. Take some ice
and crush it. Put it in a plastic bag and wrap it. Place it on the lesions for
10-15 minutes to remove the pain and swelling of tissues. Prolonged exposure of
the genitals of ice, however, can damage tissues.
