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15 Effective Ways To Treat Herpes Outbreaks (#8 Is Kinda Cool!)
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Herpes. No one likes that word. The truth is, however, that it has been estimated that as much as 90 percent of the world’s population is infected with this virus. If you have ever had a cold sore on your lip or inside the mouth, you have the herpes virus. Most people are limited to one or two outbreaks a year, sometimes even less. But for some people, especially those with genital herpes, the outbreaks can be much more frequent and severe.
Type 1 herpes simplex, the virus that causes the cold sores on your lips, mouth, face, and sometimes other parts of the body, such as the buttocks, is the most common. Type 2 often causes sores on the genitals, and for women, inside the body on the cervix or uterus itself. For men, herpes on be on the penis or inside the urethra.
Although your doctor can prescribe various steroids or other types of medications to control these outbreaks, most can be greatly minimized with simple, natural methods. Keep in mind that there is no cure, but there are plenty of anti-viral compounds found in many of Mother Nature’s own products that can go a long way towards offering some relief from the itching, burning, tingling, and pain, as well as shorten recovery time.
Keep reading. We have 15 of the most effective ways to treat that herpes outbreak so you can get your life back to normal.
1. Licorice Root
This natural herb can be very helpful in fighting the herpes virus. Licorice root has glycyrrhiza acid, which is a natural anti-viral compound. Licorice root is often sold in a tea form. You can place the tea bag, once it has cooled, against the cold sore to help it to heal faster, and drink the tea as to help fight the virus from the inside out. You can also take a licorice root extract, but only after consulting your doctor for the proper dosage. Licorice root can result in a lowering of potassium in the body; however, for some people, it can cause high blood pressure, so always consult with your doctor before consumption.
2. Epsom Salt Soak
If you have genital herpes or if you have herpes sores on other parts of your body, Epsom salt can be a super healing soak of which you will want to take advantage. You can add a handful of Epsom salt to a half gallon of water and soak a rag in this solution, then apply the rag to the affected area. Alternately, you can add two cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes each day until you get relief from your symptoms.
3. Lemon Balm
This is one of the most effective herbal remedies for herpes. Lemon balm contains phenolic acid, rosmarinic acid and powerful flavonoids to help heal the sores and blisters faster. Prepare a lemon balm tea, and steep until the water is only warm, not hot. Soak a cotton ball in the tea, and then apply to the affected area. You can also drink the tea three times each day to help fight the virus from the inside out.
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4. Lemons
This is a common remedy for cold sores that most people find is quite effective. Cut an organic lemon into halves and place the open part of the lemon directly on the sore. It might burn for a minute, but it will soon subside. Using lemon will help to relieve the itching and pain. You can use this method as often as you like throughout the day. Lemon is most effective when used at the start of an outbreak.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another useful remedy when fighting herpes outbreaks. Many people find that this oil is a bit strong for use directly on the genitals, so mix it with a bit of olive oil or coconut oil first. You can apply this same solution to sores on the lips. For sores inside the mouth, add three drops of tea tree oil to a glass of water and gargle three times each day for quick healing. Do not swallow tea tree oil!
6. Black Tea Bags
Black tea can be quite effective in helping to heal sores on the mouth and lips. Soak a black tea bag in hot water for a few minutes. Remove the bag and cool until it is slightly warm. You can apply the tea bag to the affected area, or dip a cotton ball or cotton cloth in the tea and apply that to the affected areas. Black tea has powerful anti-viral compounds that can help fight back against the herpes virus.
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7. Echinacea
This immune-boosting plant has powerful anti-viral compounds. All parts of this plant — the roots, leaves, and flowers — can be used to fight the herpes virus. You can consume Echinacea in tea form, supplements, or juice. Echinacea is best used when you first feel the pain or tingling that often happens just a day or two before the outbreak. Take Echinacea supplements according to direction, and apply the tea to the cold sore itself.
8. Cold Compress
Got a cold sore that it swollen and red? You can fix that with a simple cold compress. Apply a piece of ice wrapped in a piece of cotton cloth directly to the sore.. Hold the ice on the sore for 10 minutes. Repeat as often as needed for pain relief and to reduce swelling.
SEE ALSO: 12 Top Foods That Boost the Immune System (#4 is Wicked Cool!)
9. Whole Raw Milk
Whole raw milk is known to be an effective remedy for cold sores all over the body. Soak a cotton cloth in cold milk and apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry. Raw milk contains monocarpic, a type of fat that kills viruses. Be sure to use raw, organic, unpasteurized, whole fat milk for best results.
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10. Aloe Vera Gel
Almost every type of skin problem can be helped with aloe vera. You can apply fresh aloe vera gel from a leaf to reduce the redness, itching, and pain, as well as encourage the sore to heal faster. Use twice each day for best results. You can also consume aloe vera juice once each day to help heal the sores from the inside.
11. Herbal Teas
Some of the best herbal teas to use for the treatment of herpes are lemon, ginger, and cinnamon tea. You can also mix these three teas or add fresh lemon juice to ginger or cinnamon tea. Drink two or three cups of tea each day to help sores heal from the inside. You can soak a rag in the tea and apply it to the affected areas as well.
12. Baking Soda
This is a very old home remedy that is fairly effective in stopping the pain and itching. It also helps to dry up the cold sore so that it will heal more quickly. Use a cotton ball to apply some baking soda directly to the sore. Do this as often as needed to keep the sore dry and relieve itching.
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13. Honey
With its powerful anti-viral compounds, honey is a natural for helping herpes cold sores heal faster. Apply raw, organic honey directly on the affected areas and allow it to work for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse off and pat dry. Repeat at least twice a day for best results. Also, for even faster healing, use Manuka honey, the most powerful of all types of honey, hands down.
14. Oils
Natural oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, rosemary oil, and oregano oil can all help a cold sore heal faster. All of these oils have anti-viral compounds that fight back against the herpes virus. Use a cotton ball to apply the oil of your choice to the affected area two or three times each day. Allow the oil for work for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse off and pat dry.
15. Black Coffee
This is perhaps one of the oldest remedies for cold sores. Make a very strong cup of plain black coffee and allow it to cool until it is just warm, not hot. If you have sores inside your mouth, you can gargle or rinse your mouth with the coffee two or three times. For sores on the lips or other places, soak a cotton cloth in the coffee and apply it to the affected area(s) for 15 minutes. Repeat twice each day for best results.
You should also reduce stress and be sure that you are getting plenty of rest during this time. Stress and lack of sleep often bring on an outbreak and make any outbreak worse. Eat a healthy diet and get 15 to 30 minutes of sunshine each day to keep up your vitamin D levels.
Keep in mind that although herpes outbreaks are no fun, this, too, shall pass.
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