Herbs have been used for many centuries for the treatment of different medical conditions. They have plenty of natural ingredients that sometimes work even better than medications and drugs. They are also preferred by some because they cause no or minimal side effects unlike prescription medications. Today, herbs are also being used in treating herpes simplex virus infections.

The herpes simplex virus is basically a type of virus which lives in the nervous system of the patient normally. Because of this, it would only be the outbreaks which could be managed and treated. Herpes outbreaks present symptoms like cold sores and fever blisters that break or weep then crust over. Aside from these, the patient could also have fever, body pains, along with swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

There are plenty of natural products that can be used in the treatment of herpes. These usually have natural herbs for their primary ingredients, which have antiviral properties, giving them the ability to fight off herpes outbreaks along with a variety of other illnesses. Some of these herbs include olive leaf extract, lemon balm, hyssop, Melissa officinalis, streptacantha, prunella vulgaris, cactus opuntia, red marine algae or Super Carotene and solanum nigrum.

Some other antiviral herbs which have additional medicinal properties aside from being able to treat herpes would be: lavender, an herb that can also be used to treat streptococcus and staphylococcus; sage, an herbs that acts as a moderately strong antiseptic; chapparal, an herb that can attack retroviruses; and myrrh, an herb that is effective in treating cold sores and ulcers.

There are also herbal blends which are typically used in the treatment of the prodromal symptoms of the herpes simplex virus infection. These include: burdock, which cleans the blood and the liver and helps in the reduction of fever and glandular swellings; feverfew, which helps in reducing fever and pain; Gotu Kola, which lessens tingling sensations; gentian, which also cleanses the blood and the liver; horsetail, an herb that lessens the itching and gets rid of the painful urination; and hyssop that can effectively reduce inflammation.

Herpes patients can also choose from a variety of herbal oils that can be applied externally like lavender, St. John’s Wort, myrrh olive leaf extract. Lavender can efficiently relieve the itching and swelling. St. John’s Wort helps in reducing the inflammation of glands. Olive leaf extract and myrrh help in treating cold sores. Some other herbs help in strengthening the immune system such as golden seal, red clover, sage and red marine algae.