Shorten Outbreaks of Genital Herpes.

Janet Zand, O.M.D., a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Oriental medicine, prefers to use natural means-healthy food, nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and acupressure-to solve health problems.

She's willing to make an exception, however, in the case of genital herpes, a sexually transmitted virus that can erupt repeatedly in 7- to l0-day outbreaks of itchy, burning blisters and sores in the genital area.

If you want to short-circuit an outbreak, Dr. Zand, of Austin, Texas, recommends that you see a medical doctor and take the antiviral drug acyclovir (Zovirax). "Acyclovir is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated conventional medical treatment for genital herpes, particularly to help stop a first outbreak that just keeps going and going," she says.

Like any drug, though, it has possible side effects, including headaches and nausea. Also, if you take it day after day, you may build up a tolerance to it. If you'd like to try natural remedies to help control genital herpes, alternative practitioners believe that the following regimens can help shorten an outbreak and decrease its severity.

LYSINE: It Works If You Use It Right
Natural healers commonly recommend the amino acid lysine as a daily nutritional supplement to help keep herpes under control. Although this supplement has the unique ability to fight off the virus, you can also develop a tolerance to it if you take it every day, warns Dr. Zand. "It's better to use lysine when you feel an outbreak coming on and for a few weeks after an outbreak," she says.
She recommends taking a 500-milligram capsule four times a day during the first 72 hours of an outbreak. For the next 4 days, take 500 milligrams three times a day, then 500 milligrams daily for 2 weeks. Finally, take 500 milligrams three times a week for 2 weeks.

FOOD: Avoid Those with Arginine
Lysine has an evil twin named arginine, which encourages the herpes virus. Just before or during an outbreak, avoid all foods rich in arginine, says Dr. Zand, which include whole-wheat products, brown rice, oatmeal, chocolate, carob, corn, dairy products, raisins, nuts, and seeds.

OLIVE LEAF: Gets Rid Of the Lesions
A supplement of olive leaf extract is thought to be extremely effective in ending a bout of herpes, and it can help prevent new outbreaks if taken daily, says James Privitera, M.D., an allergy and nutrition specialist in Covina, California. "The extract gets rid of the lesions and helps prevent them from coming back," he says.
Look for a product with 20 percent oleuropein, the immunity strengthening ingredient in the extract. During an outbreak, take five 500-milligram tablets a day for 3 weeks. After that, follow the dosage recommendations on the label for daily use.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS: For Quick Healing
"A herpes outbreak is a sign that your body is under stress, and whenever you're under stress, you need more nutrients," Dr. Zand says. The following program may help reduce the stress, she says, thus shortening the herpes attack and reducing its severity.

• Vitamin A: 25,000 international units (IV) twice a day for 3 days, then 20,000 IV a day for 4 days
• B-complex vitamins: 50 milligrams twice a day for a month
• Vitamin C: 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times daily for 3 days, then 500 to 1,000 milligrams twice daily for 4 days, then 500 milligrams once or twice a day for a week
• Vitamin E: 400 IV twice a day for the duration of the outbreak, then one 400 IV supplement daily for 1 to 2 weeks after the initial outbreak
• Zinc: 10 milligrams twice a day for a week . Calcium/ magnesium: A supplement with 500 milligrams of calcium and 250 milligrams of magnesium twice a day for 1 month . Selenium: 200 micrograms daily for 2 weeks

WATER: Double Your Intake
Drinking a lot of water at the first sign of an outbreak helps flush toxins out of your body that are weakening your immune system and allowing the virus to reactivate, says Amy Rothenberg, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Enfield, Connecticut. Double the amount of water you typically drink, or drink a daily minimum of 64 ounces. "I've seen this stop outbreaks in my patients many times," she says.

GOLDENSEAL: A Symptom-Soothing Topical Herb
Powdered goldenseal can help dry up herpes lesions, thus decreasing the burning and itching, Dr. Zand says. "Goldenseal powder works very well to lessen the discomfort of an acute attack" To use the powder, add enough water to make a paste, then apply it liberally to the lesions three or four times a day for 3 days.

MSM: A Super Supplement
A supplement used to ease joint pain can also provide relief from a herpes outbreak Dr. Zand recommends taking a 500-milligram capsule of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) three times a day until discomfort lessens.

Preventing Outbreaks
The following remedies can strengthen your immune system and help to prevent future outbreaks.

REISHI MUSHROOMS: Naturally Antiviral
Taking a daily supplement made from reishi mushrooms is an excellent preventive to stop outbreaks, Dr. Zand says. "It is thought to have natural antiviral properties that lessen both the severity and frequency of outbreaks." She suggests taking a 350- to 5000-milligram capsule once or twice a day, or follow the dosage recommendations on the label.

MULTMTAMIN SUPPLEMENT: Added Protection
Taking an easily digested multivitamin supplement daily will provide extra nutrients to help lessen the chance of new outbreaks.

PROBIOTICS: Keep "Damp Heat" under Control
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a probiotic supplement containing the healthy bowel bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium bifidum decreases "damp heat" in the bowel so that it can't travel to the genitals and cause herpes, Dr. Zand says. "I've seen again and again in my patients with herpes that those who take a probiotic supplement of 500 milligrams twice a day are less prone to outbreaks."

SIBERIAN GINSENG: One Week a Month
Siberian ginseng is an "adaptogenic" herb that strengthens the immune system, says Dr. Zand. Use it in liquid or capsule form for 1 week each month, following the dosage recommendations on the label.