Cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox and shingles come from the same family, the herpes family. Genital herpes, the herpes simplex type 2, is highly contagious and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States.
Genital herpes causes redness, itching, burning, and soreness in the genital organs and anus. Blisters appear several days after genital sex and take about 3 weeks to heal. They do not usually leave scars when they heal. Outbreaks are sometimes accompanied with fever, swollen glands, and pain while urinating.

Here are some genital herpes remedies:

Genital herpes remedies: healing nutrition

• reduce L-arginine in the body by increasing your intake of foods rich in L-Lysine
• boost the immune system with foods rich in zinc and in vitamin A and C
• promote the health of the nervous system with foods rich in vitamin B
• Avoid foods rich in L-arginine (nuts and seeds, peas, lentils, coconut, barley, chicken, chocolate, corn, cereals, dairy products, meat, oats), as well as citrus fruits and juices during outbreaks.

Genital herpes remedies: supplements

• L-Lysine inhibits the herpes virus
• Beta 1,3-D-glucan enhances resistance to infections
• Coenzyme A supports the detoxification of the body
• Vitamin A, C and B complex stop the spreading of infections
• Zinc boosts the immune system
• Vitamin E heals the skin
• Probiotics replenishes the flora with friendly bacteria
• Essential fatty acids protect the cells
• Garlic and colloidal silver are natural antiviral agents
• Reishi and maitaki mushrooms strengthen the immune system and help prevent infections
• Red marine algae is antiviral
• Spirulina boosts the immune system

Genital herpes remedies: herbal remedies

• Echinacea, Saint John’s Wort, sarsaparilla, and chaparral relieve itching
• Astragalus, cat’s claw and goldenseal enhances the immune system
• Essential oils of geranium, bergamot, lemon or eucalyptus can prevent a flare-up

Genital herpes remedies: homeopathy

• Rhus toxicodendron
• Natrum muriaticum

Topical remedies for genital herpes

• Aloe Vera, colloidal silver, Echinacea lotion, zinc or castor oil can be applied at least 3 times a day
• Slices of garlic and yoghurt compresses can also be used
• A bath with Epsom salt or baking soda is soothing
• L-Lysine cream or diluted tea tree oil can be applied on the affected area
• Vitamin E can reduce pain

Other natural skin tips

• Apply ice to the affected area early in an outbreak
• Always protect yourself and others during a sexual relationship. It is highly transmitted through genital sex, even if an infected individual is experiencing no symptoms
• Maintain good genital hygiene
• Avoid stress as much as you can as it can trigger an outbreak.

Genital herpes remedies: external links

• Genital herpes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Ratio of Lysine to Arginine in common foods
  

Genital herpes remedies: references

• Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
• Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
• Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
• Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
• Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995