Apple cider vinegar is a potent antibacterial and antiviral agent that helps to kill microorganisms effectively, but does it work to ​put Herpes Simplex Virus in remission? Yes! It does!

Kombucha is a type of tea said to originate in China. It is fermented and touted as great for helping boost the immune system because it is a good source of probiotics. It also contains a healthy amount of antioxidants. Many people say it works to relieve herpes symptoms. But does it?

Baking Soda Baking soda is an alkaline white powder, a combination of bicarbonate powder and cream of tarter used instead of yeast in baking. Sometimes, people get desperate and apply baking soda topically to blisters to dry them up. While baking soda is known to reduce inflammation and itch when used in the bath, the idea of using it to apply topically makes me shudder. Baking soda can sting due to its sodium (salt) content when applied to open blisters. I don't suggest the experience, even though it is safe to do so. Baking soda can sting a little, even on unopened lesions, but this should disappear quickly. If not, rinse it off immediately with cool water.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which looks like a toasted brown, warped pancake in the wilds, is a mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to boost the immune system and to fight off certain viruses, such as influenza, including Avian and Swine flu.

Peppermint is often used to flavor food and tea. When applied topically, its essential oil is touted as a remedy for HSV-1 and HSV-2. But does it work to put herpes in remission?

Echinacea has white to bright pink petals and a dark reddish-orange center. It is in the Daisy family. Echinacea became popular in America in the 1800s and Germany in the 1920s. Echinacea is often used to treat colds, flu, and other illnesses, infections, and conditions by supporting the immune system. But does it work to put herpes in remission?

Aloe vera gel (acemannan) is a complex polysaccharide found in the inner leaf gel of the aloe plant, which contains many nutritional qualities and is immensely responsible for all of the health benefits that the aloe vera plant provides. Scientific research has shown that aloe vera gel is helpful to the immune and digestive systems and helps put HIV and HSV in remission. But does it?

Vitamin C is a virucide (antiviral). It can help to ease herpes-related symptoms naturally because it is a powerful immune booster. It also helps to regulate histamine in the body. Histamine is released in response to stress, inflammation, and infection and is known to trigger the herpes virus (and vice versa). Because of this, a vitamin C deficiency can cause more frequent and severe herpes outbreaks, colds, and flu. However, avoiding taking typical vitamin C supplements containing ascorbic acid (especially in high doses) is essential when you live with herpes.

Bee Propolis

There seems to be confusion in the herpes community over precisely what manuka oil is. Manuka oil is not the same as or made from manuka honey.

Raw honey is about 82% sugar (approximately 40% fructose and 30% glucose with some maltose and sucrose) and contains antioxidants, trace vitamins, and minerals. It also includes phenols, enzymes, flavonoids, and organic acids derived from regurgitative processes.

When I first read about improper exposure to protein-based forms of silver causing irreversible Argyria, a bluish skin discoloration, and how some types of silver boost melanin production (pigmentation) in the skin, the idea of using silver as a natural remedy for Herpes Simplex Virus seemed controversial and somewhat mind-boggling. Silver is touted to protect against and remedy conditions caused by viruses and bacteria. Does it work? Many people say it does. Silver is touted to protect against and remedy conditions caused by viruses and bacteria. 

Medical doctors often treat herpes viruses with antiviral drugs and steroids. While antiviral prescription drugs should be reserved for acute infections, they are available and prescribed by medical doctors to just about anyone who wants to try them. Antiviral prescription drugs are believed to lower the ability of the virus to multiply in your body, thereby reducing your symptoms, but there can be terrible side effects. 

Homeopathic medicines are derived from a medical system developed in Germany over 200 years ago. It is based on the notion that "like cures like." This means that "...disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people" (NCCIH).