Alternative Treatments for Herpes Offer Real Relief
by Michele Picozzi

Herpes has been around since Hippocrates, but it took the sexual revolution of the '60s to turn it into an epidemic. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that 1 in 5 Americans over the age of 2 (approximately 45 million) have genital herpes, a 30 percent increase since the 1970s. Millions more have facial herpes or cold sores. Fortunately, there are alternative treatments that allow you to prevent and control herpes naturally.

Once contracted, the virus, which has no known cure, never leaves the body. Instead, it lives silently in nerve endings deep within the base of the brain or spinal cord. Current medical therapy consists of a few prescription drugs namely Zovirax (generically known as acyclovir), Valtrex and Famivr. These prescription-only medications suppress replication of the virus to reduce outbreaks. Unfortunately, the drugs aren't always effective against HSV-1 (cold sores) and about 5 to 10 percent of people with HSV-2 (genital herpes) don't respond to them.

What causes herpes to recur remains a medical mystery. However, there are several internal and external events that can trigger or wake-up the dormant herpesvirus. The triggers most commonly associated with recurrent herpes infections involve foods high in arginine (peanuts, chocolate, soy, sunflower seeds), exposure to strong sunlight, alcohol, menstruation, and physical and psychological stress. 

When herpesvirus becomes active, the body sends internal signals to the soon-to-be affected sight. The most common warning signals or prodromes preceding a herpes outbreak are tingling, itching, stinging, pins-and-needles sensations. Fatigue or swelling of the lymph glands also are known to occur. With hours or days after a prodrome, the renewed virus moves to the lesion stage. These blisters appear most often on the face, genitals, or buttocks and last from 10 to 14 days.

Impact of Stress and the Immune System

Once contracted, herpes never leaves the body. Its reoccurrence depends largely on the strength of the immune system. Emotional stress has been cited at the number one cause of frequent or repeated herpes outbreaks. Stress prompts the body to create more stomach acid. This is important because herpesvirus thrives in an acidic environment. Stress also diminishes the power of the human glandular system, which exerts a tremendous influence on the workings of the immune system.

While stress is a fact of life, with practice we can control our response to it. It might help to remember that what drives the stress response is fear of loss. If stress is having a negative effective on your well-being, try the following:

Stop when you're tired or feeling overwhelmed. Learn to say "no" and mean it.

Set aside time to eat regular meals that emphasize cooked whole foods and protein over carbohydrates.

Reduce sugar consumption as it impairs immune function by interfering with white blood cell production and depletes the body of important B vitamins. Instead, snack on whole foods such as hardboiled eggs, rice crackers, soft cheeses, fruits, and vegetables.

Get adequate rest; 8 hours minimum or more if you need it.

Exercise regularly. Keep it mild and simple with a brisk walk, bike ride or do a few yoga postures.

Meditate. Substantial evidence exists that regular mediation supports the immune system by lowering stress. It also fosters a genuine sense of well-being and tranquility and helps with negative states of mind as it affects the autonomic nervous system.