With nearly half of all adults in the United States infected with the herpes virus, the infection is both shockingly prevalent and also surprisingly unknown when it comes to effective treatments and ways to reduce your outbreaks.
While there are no proven cures to eliminate the virus, you can reduce the frequency of your painful, itchy outbreaks through healthy vitamins and nutritional supplements that support your immune system’s natural ability to suppress signs of the virus.
If you or your partner have herpes, talk to your doctor about how these nutritional supplements can help keep you healthy and symptom-free.
1. Aloe
Aloe gel soothes the skin, which can be comforting when you have the itchy and painful sores that come with a herpes outbreak. For the best results, use an organic aloe gel, preferably fresh from a plant in your kitchen or garden.
The gel doesn’t just help to soothe the itch and pain, but it can also help to promote skin healing so you recover faster.
2. Zinc
“Adequate zinc intake is essential in maintaining the integrity of the immune system,” reports the Linus Pauling Institute. The institute reports that zinc helps with white blood cell production, activation of healing enzymes, and protecting you from “a variety of infectious agents.”
Some of the best sources of zinc in food include oysters, beef, beans and cashews. Adult men should aim for 11 mg of zinc a day, while adult women should get 8 mg of this essential mineral every day.
3. Echinacea
“Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in America today,” reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. “Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.”
Three species of echinacea are used for virus protection:
– Echinacea angustifolia
– Echinacea pallida
– Echinacea purpurea
You’ll often find echinacea supplements in a pill form or in a tincture, where the essential oils have been mixed with oil or alcohol. There are also some skin-healing creams that contain the herb, which may help to reduce the skin irritation and discomfort that comes with a herpes outbreak.
Follow the labeled guidelines. To boost your immune system and reduce infections and herpes symptoms, people often take echinacea with each meal.
