I just found dramatic relief from a large, nasty outbreak of herpes simplex type 1 by using cheap home remedies, and I hope this might help someone else. These treatments came mostly from Rodale's Encyclopedia of Natural Home Remedies (maybe at your library) and were ice, zinc oxide ointment, and L-lysine. Though my outbreak was herpes simplex type 1, it might help canker sores, genital herpes, or other herpes types, I don't know.

The first day when I knew it was a new outbreak (they said it's important to act fast), I applied ice cubes in a plastic bag for 3 minutes 4 times that day, also started daily use of liberal applications of zinc oxide ointment (20%), and took 3,000 mg of l-lysine, 1500 in a.m. and 1500 in p.m.. Felt better almost immediately. Second day: same ice regimen, but made one ice session 30 minutes (should have done this first day, I think; do move it about some so as not to get frostbite!), continued l-lysine dosage and slathered on z/o ointment frequently. More improvement. Third day: no ice, plenty zinc oxide ointment, less l-l, 2,000. Fourth day: same as third. By fifth day, there were only traces of what had threatened to be a bad outbreak. By a week, healed. Now I take 500 mg l-lysine daily in addition to multivitamin.

My unscientific feeling is that the ice was most beneficial, then the zinc oxide, then the L-lysine. The article also mentioned using myrhh ("can be purchased in most drugstores in alcohol solution. Apply directly to center of sore w/cotton swab."), acidophilus tablets and vitamin B complex (as directed on labels), and vitamin E liquid (put drops in food and directly on sores).

Good luck to all!

Thanks, this seems very helpful. I'm using L-lysine and vitamins galore myself. Never thought about ice though I've read staying cool helps some. I'm totally new to this virus so I'm still trying to figure out what works or not. Zinc oxide makes sense only in healing though I thought the virus hates oxygen and loves the opposite? So much to know. Thanks again for sharing.

Anything you do to help out your immune system is a good thing. Some folks seem to be helped by the L-lysine, too, although I think it's good not to overdo that.

Honestly, the most effective treatment for symptoms are the prescription antivirals. Fortunately, we now have generic acyclovir so it's very inexpensive now. Acyclovir has been around for a long time and is considered very safe, too.

acyclovir i believe is the same as acicvir and i'm glad you say it's safe as i'm considering taking it as treatment. i don't believe in those home made treatment. i wish there was a cure for herpes, at least there could have been hope for us but there's nothing! NOTHING!

"i wish there was a cure for herpes, at least there could have been hope for us but there's nothing! NOTHING!"

I don't know how long you've had herpes, but for almost all of us it gets better with time. I've had it for over 10 years and it's just not an impediment to enjoying life. While there's no identified way to remove the virus from the infected cells since it's actually part of the cell's DNA.

There is work under way to develop an effective vaccine to keep the virus dormant in those that are infected and to prevent infection in those who are not infected. It's probably as close to a "cure" as we'll see in my lifetime.

For most people in the minority of those who experience symptoms, the antiviral drugs that we have are pretty good at controlling symptoms.