Herpes simplex is a highly contagious virus that causes blisters or lesions. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1) typically appears above the waist (in and around the mouth) in the form of cold sores. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV‐2) typically appears below the waist (in and around the genital area).
The virus can spread through direct contact with an infected person who is producing or shedding the virus — whether or not the person is experiencing an active outbreak.
After the herpes virus infects someone, it remains with that person for life, becoming latent and hiding in the cell bodies of nerve cells. After primary infection, some people never experience another outbreak; others experience sporadic episodes of viral reactivation. In a reactivation, the virus is transported to the skin, where it replicates, and new lesions appear. Reactivation often occurs when the immune system is compromised by cold, flu, eczema, fatigue, lack of sleep, sunburn, or physical or emotional stress.
The herpes virus can’t yet be eradicated from the body. Conventional medicine uses antiviral drugs to hinder replication of the virus and prevent or treat outbreaks. Medical research shows that daily use of antiviral medications, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, significantly reduce recurrences of infection.
The natural cures approach focuses on boosting the body’s immune system to keep the virus in check:
Avoid refined sugar, which weakens the immune system.
Identify and avoid any allergenic foods.
Avoid high arginine foods that can cause the virus to replicate. These foods include peanuts, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews, as well as grains that are higher in arginine and lower in lysine.
Take 1,000 mg vitamin C (as mineral ascorbates) three times daily to prevent outbreaks. For an acute episode, take up to 10,000 mg daily for five to ten days (as much as you can take without getting diarrhea).
Take 500 to 3,000 mg L‐lysine daily to prevent outbreaks.
Apply vitamin E oil three to six times daily for the first three days of an acute episode.
Take 20 to 40 g zinc glycinate chelate daily. (Supplement long‐term use of zinc with 1 mg copper for every 10 mg zinc daily.)
Take 250 mg whole beta glucan twice daily to prevent outbreaks. During an acute episode, take 500 mg twice daily.
Take 1 dropper full colloidal silver daily to prevent outbreaks. During an acute episode, take 1 dropper full three times daily. You may also apply colloidal silver topically as a gel.
To retrain your immune system to keep infection in check, try Deseret Biologicals Herpes Simplex Series kit. Use two kits over the course of two months — one vial every third day.