Boost the Immune System

Your immune system is one of your most valuable weapons against the herpes and cold sore virus - it is your body's natural defense mechanism.

How does this affect Herpes and Cold Sore Outbreaks?

Your immune system is responsible for your recovery during an outbreak, as well as controlling the frequency and severity of recurrences. The following are three herbs that can help to boost your immune system and improve your body’s resistance against this retrovirus. They are featured here because they are generally safe for adults and children and have a substantial body of evidence to support their benefits against the HSV:

1. Andrographis
2. Echinacea
3. Olive Leaf

This is attributed to their antiviral and immune stimulating properties. 

How can these herbs help to boost the immune system and prevent transmission?

The antiviral herb Andrographis is a key component in treating herpes holistically. Andrographis helps to interfere with the way viruses alter healthy DNA. It works in "synergy" with Echinacea, a herb which helps to improve the effectiveness of Andrographis when they are taken in conjunction with each other. This combination, along with Olive Leaf, can be formulated to help ward off future recurrences.

Andrographis also inhibits herpes virus activity in vitro and improves the level of killer T-helper cells (cells in your immune system that are essential to control herpes).^[1]

Echinacea assists the body in the formulation of "interferon", a compound which blocks replication of virus proteins.  Echinacea also increases levels of "properdin".   This is a protein in the body that helps the immune system destroy and suppress virus cells.^[2]

Olive Leaf has been shown to reduce Viral Shedding in Clinical Trials.^[3] This could help to reduce a risk factor in relation to spreading and preventing herpes, possibly offering a safe natural compliment or alternative to suppressive drugs.

What to look for when buying antiviral herbs

Quality is an important consideration if you want any natural therapy to work, so research a brand before using it. If the herbs are 'standardized' to a guaranteed potency this can help to ensure their effectiveness with every batch.

Standardization is a special process which guarantees that you are getting the quality of concentration required for the herb to work.

If you are taking the herb in a tablet or capsule form look for one that doesn't contain Gelatin, or Gelatine. Gelatin is rich in an amino acid called Arginine that can aggrevate herpes, yet is still found in many supplements indicated for herpes.

Benefits of taking antiviral herbs:

• They can boost your body's natural immune resistance against the herpes virus, helping you to recover more quickly and possibly prevent a recurrence


• May possibly help to reduce the replication and growth of the herpes virus, especially if taken as soon as possible after the first exposure to the virus
  
  
• May help to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to a non-infected partner, and may also offer a non-infected person some resistance against contracting the virus
  

References

1. ^ " Andrographis paniculata | In-Depth Review "
2. ^ " Echinacea Fact Sheet "
3. ^ " Olive Leaf Extract "

Where to Now

1. How You Can Prevent Transmission
2. Herpes Treatment Options
3. Diet and Nutrition with Herpes

Ask questions and get support right now in the Herpes Support Forum