5 Natural Remedies for Herpes

Many sufferers are looking to natural remedies for herpes, preferring the herbs and home treatments over pricey prescription meds. In fact, natural remedies for herpes are popping up all over the place! Anyone looking for alternative herpes treatments really should consider natural methods first.

Natural remedies for herpes are widely varied and not all of them will work for you. Everyone is different and experiences outbreaks in a different manner, so you will need to experiment with the various methods of providing relief to find which works best for you. Even if you find one right away, it is a good idea to have a backup remedy, so test several methods. Here are five to get you started.

1. Silica gel is one of the more popular natural remedies for herpes. It soothes and eases the affected area and is far more effective if stored in the fridge. This allows for more cooling relief. Look for organic silica gel for the best results.

2. Tea tree oil is well-known for its antiseptic properties and is a very useful anti-viral treatment, as well. It is highly favored as a natural remedy for herpes as well as a variety of other problems. Simply apply the oil to the affected area a couple of times a day. It will help dry out the sores and heal them faster and may even prevent outbreaks if used early enough.

3. St. John's wort is not only good for depression (a common side-effect of herpes) but it can also be used to treat the actual infection! Apply the chilled, used tea bag to the sores for quick relief. You can also bathe the affected area with the cool tea for faster healing. Drinking the herb in tea form or taking it in capsules may also help prevent outbreaks as well as depression, but this has not yet been proven.

4. Keeping the genital area dry is a very simple natural remedy for herpes in this area. This will help the sores heal faster. You can dust the area with cornstarch or baby powder to help dry it out. Wash and dry the area first and then sprinkle it with one of the mentioned powders. Although they won't cure the outbreak, the very act of keeping the area dry will promote a shorter outbreak period.

5. Applying black tea bags (such as Earl Grey) is one of many natural remedies for herpes. Simply chill used tea bags in the fridge for an hour or two and apply as needed to the outbreak area. The tea bags don't have to be chilled, but this provides added relief.

Natural remedies for herpes are many and you will no doubt encounter more as you continue to research this disease. However, the ones given above are perhaps the most effective and should be the ones you start with.