Herpes Simplex Virus Infections

Venus Flytrap Extract (Carnivora, Dionaea muscipula) [1, 36, 37, 38]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Venus flytrap extracts can help in the treatment of herpes. More research is needed.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Thuja (Eastern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis) [1, 33, 34, 35]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, but there is insufficient evidence to support this claim at present. Little is known about the full effects of Thuja, so it is not recommended for medicinal use. Thuja can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Thuja helps to treat herpes.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Tea Tree Oil [1, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Tea tree oil is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers. Tea tree oil should never be taken internally. It should only be used over skin, inhaled with a vaporizer, or mixed with water as a mouthwash.

Recommendation: No recommendation. Research on the effectiveness of tea tree oil in treating herpes has yielded unreliable results.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) [1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, but there is insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. All parts of the pokeweed plant (Phytolacca americana) are poisonous and should not be ingested unless properly prepared. Effects of improperly prepared pokeweed may include vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, headache, confusion, convulsions, low blood pressure, heart block, and death. Only plant extracts such as PAP or thoroughly prepared plants should be ingested, and even then only under professional medical guidance.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Laboratory studies suggest PAP may hold promise in the treatment of herpes, but more clinical trials are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica) [1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, but there is insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Gotu Kola helps in the treatment of herpes in any way. More research is needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, but there is insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Goldenseal helps to treat herpes. More studies are needed. Goldenseal may produce toxic effects, including depression, constipation, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, mouth ulcers, and vomiting.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Celandine (Ukrain, Chelidonium majus) [1, 3, 4]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against. There is insufficient evidence that Celandine helps to cure or treat herpes. In addition, the plant is mildly poisonous to humans and may cause hepatitis as well as symptoms such as pain, nausea, thirst, and fever.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) [1, 2]

Please note: this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Cat's Claw can help to treat herpes.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Low-level Laser Therapy

Recommendation: Weakly against. There have been mixed results in the very few studies performed with laser therapy for herpes simplex.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Aromatherapy

Recommendation: Weakly against. Early trials show no support for claims that aromatherapy may help with herpes simplex.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Vitamin A Supplement [39, 40]

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that vitamin A supplements are able to help treat genital herpes.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Zinc [41, 42, 43]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Zinc may help prolong remissions when applied topically. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Vitamin C

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that vitamin C is able to help treat herpes.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) [44, 45, 46]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that Melissa officinalis may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Carrageenans (Red Seaweed Extract) [47, 48, 49]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that red seaweed may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Garlic Extracts [50, 51]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that garlic may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Prunella vulgaris (Selfheal Plant) [52, 53]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that Prunella vulgaris may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Lactoferrin (Whey Protein Component) [54, 55, 56]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that lactoferrin may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) [57]

Recommendation: Weakly in favor. Studies suggest that BHT may be able to help treat herpes. More studies are needed.

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Aloe Vera

Recommendation: No recommendation. There is insufficient evidence to support claims that aloe vera can help to treat herpes.

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.