If I have it, how do I manage it? Homeopathically?

Homeopathic Therapy
Managing your stress level is perhaps the most important factor to help prevent herpes outbreaks. Stress weakens the immune system, which lowers your body's resistance to disease. It's imperative to get adequate rest and avoid potential physical and psychological stressors. Certain outbreak triggers can be menstruation, sunburn, fever, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, inadequate diet, fatigue and lack of sleep. So make the necessary time for yourself to relax, meditate, and take good care of yourself in all ways.

Lysine
Lysine is the wonder-supplement. It's a natural amino acid and one of the eight essential amino acids your body needs every day - "essential" because it's not produced in the body and must be supplied by your diet or supplements.

Lysine slows or alters the growth of the virus, and foods high in this amino acid or supplements should be prevalent in your diet. Some foods are: fish and shellfish, bean sprouts, brewer's yeast, beans and fruits and vegetables.

During outbreaks, foods that contain the amino acid L-arginine should be avoided as L-arginine is a possible link to outbreaks. Some examples are: gelatin, chicken, wheat germ, cereals or grains like rye, corn, oats, and barley, soybeans, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, carob, cola drinks, coffee (caffeine) and chocolate (sadly!).

Lysine has proved a very successful homeopathic treatment for many people - for both genital and oral herpes. The best way to boost your lysine levels is to take a supplement daily and supplement with higher doses during outbreaks. Lysine is generally sold in 500mg and 1000mg capsule strengths. For a daily supplement, try taking one 500mg capsule once daily, with a meal. During outbreaks, try taking one 1000mg capsule three to four times daily, with meals to substantially lessen the severity of the outbreak and speed the healing process. As a naturally occurring amino acid, there are no known toxicity levels with high doses of lysine.

Vitamin C - top
Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin most commonly associated with orange juice. Among its many beneficial effects, vitamin C fights bacterial infections and reduces the effects on the body of some allergy-producing substances. For these reasons, it is frequently used in preventing and treating the common cold.

The tissue requirements for ascorbic acid are increased under conditions of increased metabolism. It stimulates the production of interferon and acts as an inactivator against viruses and infections, including herpes, vaccinia, hepatitis, polio, encephalitis, measles, pneumonia, and AIDS. This is accomplished because vitamin C, catalyzed by copper ions, reduces oxygen molecules to molecules that, in turn, attack the nucleic acid of the virus.¹

If enough has been given to saturate the tissues, vitamin C will enter cells where dormant viruses are and destroy them. Generally, the body can only absorb and use 60mg of vitamin C per hour. Any more than that, and the excess is excreted in the urine. Large doses can cause side effects in some people such as: diarrhea, intestinal gas, skin rashes or nausea. When any symptom occurs, dosage should be reduced. It's helpful to take vitamin C with meals to not only aid absorption, but to possibly avoid stomach upset.

Today there are "time release" formulas that purportedly allow the vitamin to be steadily released into the body over a period of time. These can be helpful to take once or twice daily, with meals, for a sustained level of vitamin C in the body throughout the day.

Herbs
Helpful herbs are ginseng, goldenseal and St. John's wort (to benefit the immune system), hyssop (to inhibit viral growth), alfalfa, aloe vera (inhibits reproduction of herpes), echinacea, licorice, peppermint oil, red clover, and marjoram.

Attitude
Stay positive in all things. (This will also help to manage your stress.) Herpes is only a minor skin irritation - nothing more. A positive state of mind is your most powerful ally, along with plenty of rest, a healthy diet and super supplements! Take the best care of yourself.

Manage your stress.

Lysine is your best friend.

Vitamin C is your next best friend.

Help yourself to herbs.

Stay positive!