No matter what treatment approach you take, your immune system will be your most important weapon for combating and controlling herpes and cold sore outbreaks.
Your body's natural immune system is responsible for keeping you healthy and fighting off invading pathogens, such as the nasty Herpes and Cold Sore viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2).
Herpes is caused by a virus so you cannot actually 'cure' or 'remove' it BUT don't let this thought dishearten you. There is currently no cure for any virus at the moment including chickenpox (a herpes-related condition), measles, mumps, the common flu and any other virus you can think of.
You can do everything possible to assist your immune system in fighting and overcoming the herpes and cold sore virus.
1) Freshly made fruit and/or vegetable juices are a great source for antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, free-radical scavengers and other "good stuff" essential for your body to maintain a strong immune system.
2) You can boost your immunity against the herpes virus with herbs that enhance "immune cell activity". Look for a herbal combination that boosts your immune system AS WELL AS targets the herpes virus, such as Immune Support
3) Moderate exercise, preferably at least 4 times per week, can help strengthen your immune system. Blood flow to vital organs, good circulation and mental wellness can improve your immune response. 20 - 30 minutes of brisk walking five days per week is an ideal training program for maintaining a healthy immune system. News Article on Exercise and the Immune System.
4) The air you breathe can affect your immunity. Polluted environments are toxic to your system and can affect your health. Try to avoid habituating or working in polluted areas. If you cannot avoid pollutants, try supplementing your diet with antioxidants, such as fresh fruit and vegetables that are vibrant in color, or an antioxidant formula. Avoid exercising near traffic where you are likely to inhale large amounts of carbon-dioxide and other carcinogens.
5) Maintain a nutritious diet high in antioxidants, essential nutrients and micro nutrients. An antioxidant supplement may help if dietary needs are not met.
6) Try to avoid or reduce stress in your life. Substitute caffeine rich drinks with water and herbal teas and supplement your diet with B group vitamins, ginseng and vitamin c to benefit your body in times of stress. Added magnesium can assist in muscle relaxation.
Your immune system is your body's evolved weapon for defending itself against micro-pathogens, such as the Herpes virus.
Your immune system may not be able to completely eliminate herpes but it is your body's first line of defense in:
Healing outbreaks
Suppressing the virus
Controlling recurrences
If a person experiences very mild outbreaks (or no outbreaks at all) it is largely contributed to their immune system and its ability to deal with the virus.
You can BOOST your immune system and improve its ability to fight off the herpes virus by taking herbs and supplements such as:
Olive leaf
Echinacea
Andrographis
Vitamin C (with Bioflavonoids)
Zinc
Astralagus
Shitake Mushroom
There are many supplements that are beneficial against herpes, but those above are renowned for having both anti-viral and immune enhancing qualities.
These herbs not only boost the immune system but have also been proven to target and hinder the herpes virus in clinical studies. Olive leaf has been demonstrated to help reduce budding, assembling and shedding of the herpes virus at the cell membrane.
References to Clinical Data on a few of these herbs:
Your body's ability to get on top of the herpes virus and control recurrences is directly related to the state of your immune system. Without a strong immune system the body can become overwhelmed by the herpes virus, sometimes allowing severe and persistent outbreaks to surface.
Your immune system is the very reason why many symptoms (such as fever, headaches and flu-like illness) are commonly only experienced during the "primary" outbreak or first exposure to the virus.
During a first episode, the immune system develops antibodies and other weapons against the virus. During a recurrence, then, this "immune memory" can help to fight off infection more quickly. As a result, as time goes on there are usually fewer sores, they heal faster, and the outbreak is less painful. Some people never experience another recurrence.
Many people do not experience a recurrence until months and sometimes even years after their first primary outbreak. When the recurrence does happen it is often related to a time when the immune system is weakened or under pressure, such as from an illness, stress, poor lifestyle, surgery, etc.
With a strong immune system, you can expect to have greater control over the herpes virus and any symptoms that go with it. This can mean fewer sores, longer spaces in between each episode and less severe symptoms when they happen.
3 Steps to Fewer Outbreaks
Eat a healthy, balanced diet for a strong immune system. With herpes, it can be helpful to avoid foods high in the amino acid, Arginine, and increase foods that are high in the amino acid Lysine. Lysine restricts the viruses' "food" (arginine) which helps your body control the virus.
Good rest, exercise and avoiding toxins such as alcohol and cigarettes will also be beneficial in strengthening the immune system.
Take Immune Support (or something similar) which contains Olive leaf and if possible, Andrographis and Echinacea - these herbs assist your body in producing high levels of white blood cells essential to the body's immune system, including natural killer cells, T-helper cells and macrophages. These cells circulate throughout the body, policing against and scavenging for nasty pathogens and foreign invaders, such as the herpes virus. Scientific article about how these types of cells (CD4+ T lymphocytes) help your immune system attack herpes.
Benefits of taking Immune Support:
1. Boosts your body's immune resistance against the virus
2. Naturally helps to reduce viral shedding