Herpes is the most common infectious disease caused by viruses. Herpes simplex virus type 1 causes blisters in the face, especially on the lips, and rarely on the genitals. Herpes type 2 virus is usually responsible for genital infections and rarely appears on the lips.
Both viruses remain in the body for a long time after infection, even if no signs of infection (blisters, inflammations) are observed. Approximately 85% of patients with genital herpes have relapses during their lifetime.
Infected people rarely develop signs of the disease (1 to 10%). About 50% of children and 80-90% of adults were exposed to the virus. About 70-80% of adults have antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1, and from 20 to 30% - to type 2.
Causes of herpes
Most people are already infected in childhood with type 1 herpes virus. Primary infection does not cause symptoms in 99% of cases. The virus remains in the body and can multiply when the immune system is weakened.
Genital herpes is spread mainly through sexual contact. Cases of virus-droplet or hematogenous transmission have been observed. Infection usually occurs at a young age. If a pregnant woman falls ill shortly before giving birth, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus.
After an (also asymptomatic) initial infection, the virus can remain at rest (latency) throughout a person’s life. HSV therapy can prevent the multiplication of the virus during exacerbation. For the treatment of HSV, there are several antiviral drugs that are very specific.
Folk remedies for herpes have unproven effectiveness and have little effect on the symptoms or cause of the disease. Before use, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Folk remedies for herpes: medicinal plants
1. Grind licorice root in a coffee grinder, mix with hot water, cinnamon, salt and drink 4 times a day.
Doctor's comment: licorice has a strong anti-inflammatory effect that is comparable to cortisol. Licorice root ingredients can bind to glucocorticoid receptors and have a synergistic effect on cortisol (prolonging the half-life by inhibiting the enzyme 5-beta reductase). Licorice actives may also counteract some of the immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids.
In high concentrations, licorice can cause serious side effects - arterial hypertension, edema, headache and shortness of breath. Adverse effects may occur in doses of 10 to 14 g of licorice root. In some cases, poisoning was recorded when using from 1 to 2 g of the root. Adverse effects disappear after stopping the consumption of licorice. The recipe is dangerous in the long run, but in healthy people, once taken it can cause a headache.
2. Take 3-4 drops of echinacea tincture 7 times a day.
Doctor's comment: the term "echinacea" refers to the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea - the most famous and studied species from the Astrov family. Phytotherapeutic preparations of the aerial parts help fight infections of the upper respiratory tract, as naturopaths believe.
In a relatively small study conducted in 2007, it was concluded that echinacea reduces the duration of herpes by an average of 1.4 days. Studies conducted in 2011 did not reveal a significant difference between echinacea and placebo. The conclusion of the study is that echinacea does not significantly affect the course of herpes.
3. Grind calendula flowers in a coffee grinder, pour 200 ml of hot water and let it brew for 3 hours. Then take 4 times a day.
Doctor's comment: in herbal medicine, dried whole or crushed marigold flowers are used. A pharmaceutical product reduces inflammation and promotes the formation of granulation tissue. For stomach ulcers and dysmenorrhea, calendula is used orally. External use is prescribed for dermatitis, poorly healing wounds, bruises, boils and rashes. Due to the absence of sesquiterpene lactones, irritating or allergic reactions rarely occur compared to other members of the Chamomile family.
Clinical efficacy against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 has not been proven. Calendula does not have antiviral properties, so the recipe is useless, but harmless.
4. 2 grams of tansy pour 400 ml of boiling water, mix with sugar and take in the form of tea 4 times a day.
Doctor's comment: 1 to 3 grams of tansy cause symptoms of poisoning. In veterinary medicine, a cow with diarrhea is often injected with tansy tea. Foliage can cause skin irritation. Essential oil is a powerful poison that can kill a person.
A recent study shows that tansy extracts are able to invitroinhibit the growth of herpes simplex virus type 1. The antiviral effect is associated with 3,5-dicaffoylquinonic acid. However, the effect is manifested in large doses, which makes it impossible to use tansy for therapeutic purposes. Folk remedies for herpes with tansy are life-threatening. The potential health risk outweighs the benefit.
Folk remedies for herpes: food
1. Moisten a cotton swab with milk and apply to a part of the body affected by herpes.
Doctor's comment: caseins are the most common proteins in dairy products. The remaining proteins are also summarized under the name "serum". It contains beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, serum albumin, immunoglobulin and proteases.
The most important carbohydrate in milk is lactose (4.6% in cow's milk), along with galactose and glucose. The pH of milk varies from 6.7 fresh milk to about 4.5 for sour milk.
When applied locally, milk does not affect the herpes simplex virus. The effect is due to either the placebo effect or spontaneous remission of the disease.
2. Take a fresh egg with vodka.
Doctor's comment: Ethanol is a local antiseptic that effectively kills gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Activity against fungi was detected, but alcohol does not always help with viral diseases.
The antiseptic effect is manifested when using a 70% ethanol solution. Vodka contains 40% ethyl alcohol and 60% water, which makes it unsuitable for use as an antiseptic. The recipe is useless.
3. The mummy.
Doctor's comment: The potential therapeutic potential of a mummy depends on its composition and, therefore, its origin. In the early 1950s, mummy research began in Russia and India. In the countries of the former USSR, preparations based on mummy are still being sold and developed. At least until 2011, not one of the postulated effects of the mumien body was proven.
4. Dampen the swab with water and baking soda and apply to the affected area of the skin.
Doctor's comment: baking soda is used as a baking powder, a food additive for regulating pH, a component of powdered drinks and effervescent tablets. For medical purposes, soda is used to treat severe metabolic acidosis (for example, as a result of methyl alcohol poisoning), tricyclic poisoning with antidepressants and severe hyperkalemia.
Soda does not have an antiviral effect even in high doses. Also, no anti-inflammatory or wound healing effect was noted. Application will bring neither harm nor benefit.
Folk remedies for herpes: dangerous drugs
1. Moisten gauze with hydrogen peroxide and apply to the affected area.
Doctor's comment: hydrogen peroxide is a local antiseptic. The mechanism of action is due to oxidative effects: it produces OH and free radicals that attack a wide range of organic compounds, including lipids and proteins, which make up the cell membranes of microorganisms. The catalase enzyme present in the tissues quickly degrades with hydrogen peroxide, forming oxygen, which prevents the germination of anaerobic spores.
Hydrogen peroxide has a bactericidal effect, but application in large doses can damage healthy epithelial cells. A prescription may be useful in cases of bacterial infection of the wound.
2. Moisten the swab with valocordin and water, and apply the product to the face.
Doctor's comment: phenobarbital, peppermint oil, ethanol and hop oil are the main components of valocordin. Phenobarbital is an agonist of GABA receptors, which reduces anxiety. Ethanol is an effective antiseptic, which, when diluted strongly with water, is ineffective. The recipe will help calm down, but you should not expect a greater effect.
Folk remedies for herpes are in most cases ineffective and dangerous remedies. They act not on the cause, but on the consequences of the disease. If an exacerbation of the disease occurs, consult a doctor, as antiviral therapy may be required..
