Some natural treatments are available, but they should not replace a clinical treatment plan. Please consult with a doctor before trying any of them.

1. Medicinal Herbs

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines: In vitro studies have shown that several Chinese herbal medicines exhibited stronger anti-HSV-1 activity when combined with acyclovir, compared to other herbal extracts. They are:
- Geum japonicum: Commonly known as Asian herb bennet, Geum japonicum is often used to relieve dizziness and headaches.
- Rhus javanica: In guinea pigs infected with HSV type 2, oral administration of Rhus javanica significantly reduced the incidence, severity, and frequency of genital herpes lesions compared to those receiving water.
- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
- Terminalia chebula: Known as the “king of medicine” in Tibet, Terminalia chebula is highly revered in the Ayurvedic medical system due to its exceptional healing abilities.
Antrodia camphorata: In a 2016 study, Antrodia camphorata, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom used for liver diseases and cancers, exhibited the ability to inhibit HSV replication at very low concentrations. Its bioactive compound antrodin A also reduces viral spread between cells.
Murici (Byrsonima verbascifolia): A 2001 study found 13 plant extracts effective against HSV, with Byrsonima verbascifolia showing the strongest activity at a concentration as low as 2.5 micrograms per milliliter. Byrsonima verbascifolia, commonly known as murici in Brazil, is a medicinal plant widely used to treat bacterial and viral infections, bronchitis, cough, fever, and many other diseases.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Also called eleuthero, Siberian ginseng is distinct from American and Asian ginseng. Its active ingredients, eleutherosides, may help stimulate the immune system. One study involving 93 people with HSV-2 infection found that Siberian ginseng reduced the number and severity of genital herpes outbreaks, and shortened their duration.

2. Dietary Supplements

Lysine: Lysine, also known as L-lysine, is an essential amino acid. In an early study, participants took lysine monohydrochloride tablets (1,000 milligrams per dose) three times daily for six months. The treatment was found to effectively reduce the frequency, severity, and healing time of recurrent HSV infections.
Zinc: A 2020 study found that zinc deficiency could prolong cold sores caused by HSV. The topical use of low concentrations of zinc (0.025 to 0.05 percent) was also shown to be effective in treating oral and genital herpes outbreaks.

3. Essential Oils

According to a review in Chemotherapy, many essential oils and their ingredients can destroy or inactivate both types of HSV directly and hinder or prevent the viruses’ multiplication inside cells.

Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil, the essential oil of Mentha piperita, has shown strong antiviral effects in in vitro studies. Peppermint oil is generally considered safe when taken orally or applied topically in common doses.
Clove essential oil: Eugenol, a key component of clove oil, was tested for its antiviral effects against HSV-1 and HSV-2 and found to inhibit virus replication in lab tests. Eugenol combined with acyclovir enhanced antiviral effects, and its topical application delayed herpes-induced keratitis in mice.
Tee tree oil: A 2001 study found Australian tea tree oil to be highly effective against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 in cell cultures. At safe concentrations, it reduced the growth of the virus by 98.2 percent for HSV-1 and 93.0 percent for HSV-2. The potential use of tea tree oil as an antiviral agent in treating recurrent herpes infection showed promise, according to the study, though the active components responsible for their anti-herpes properties were not identified.

4. Apitherapy

A 2019 systematic review examined three clinical trials on the effects of honey and six of propolis on herpes infection. The trials demonstrated that both bee products have potential as alternatives to acyclovir in treating herpetic skin lesions. Propolis, in particular, was found to be superior to acyclovir in four of the trials. This suggests that propolis may be the most effective natural option for treating herpetic lesions, especially those related to HSV-1.

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