21 Home Remedies for Herpes Treatment

Girl holding a finger to her lips with a herpes sore

Herpes is an infection, caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is a very itchy and painful problem, generally seen in both men and women. It appears in the form of small red, swelled and liquid-filled blisters or sores near eyes, mouth, lips, and genitals. But can you treat herpes at home? Well, yes! Here are some easy and quick natural remedies for a herpes treatment. Take a look.

What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

The herpes simplex symptoms are difficult to distinguish as they are often very mild, and may surface several months after an attack.

  • Persistent fever or flu-like symptoms
  • Feeling restless and unwell
  • Cold Sores

  • Muscle pains

Genital herpes symptoms include:

  • Recurrent vaginal discharges
  • Formation of blisters in the cervix (for women)
  • Nausea
  • Itching or burning sensations in the groin area
  • Burning pain when urinating

Home Remedies for Herpes Breakout

Alongside the medications that you received from your doctor, the home remedies below can help hasten your herpes treatment.

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil is known for moisturizing the skin. It is rich in antioxidants and is one of the best home remedies for herpes sores. This is one of the easiest home remedies for herpes for the lips.

What to do:

  • Take one cup of olive oil.
  • Heat it in a pot and add some lavender oil and bee wax in it.
  • Let the mixture cool down.
  • After cooling, apply the mixture on the infected area.

We recommend Filippo Berio Olive Oil as your base for this remedy.

2. Echinacea

Echinacea is a medicinal plant and has anti-viral properties. It is known for enhancing the immune system and easing the symptoms of this viral infection. All parts of the Echinacea plant, namely flowers, leaves, and roots can be used for healing herpes.

What to do:

  • You can consume echinacea as tea, juices, or pills. Depending on the form you want, try getting the recommended dose every day.

We recommend Gaia Herbs Echinacea Supreme Liquid Capsules.

3. Ice Pack

The simplest method at home to cure the herpes is ice. Ice provides immense relief from herpes pain specifically for genital herpes. However, keep in mind that long exposure of genital parts to ice can damage the tissues.

What to do:

  • Take some ice and crush them.
  • Fill the crushed ice in a plastic bag.
  • Wrap the plastic bag in a sheet-like thick cloth.
  • Place it on the sores for 10-15 minutes to get rid of swelling and itching.
  • Repeat the method for multiple times in a day.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective treatment for getting rid of herpes fast. It provides relief from the itchy and painful sores.

What to do:

  • Take a cotton ball and damp it in baking soda.
  • Apply it directly to the infected area. It helps to dry out the oozing blisters.
  • In order to avoid contamination, don’t re-dip the cotton ball in baking soda.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a great remedy for plenty of health issues you may have. And herpes makes no exception. To heal the herpes sores outbreak, you can try buying tea tree oil as one of your home remedies for mouth herpes.

What to do:

  • Take some water in a glass.
  • Add a few drops of tea tree oil.
  • Gargle to remove ulcers from the mouth.
  • For genital herpes, use an eye-dropper to put drops on the infected area.

We recommend Naturenics Tea Tree Oil.

lemons

6. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is one of the most effective herbal remedies or cure for herpes. It has flavonoids, phenolic acid, and rosmarinic acid, which helps in healing the sores or blisters.

What to do:

  • Prepare a lemon balm tea.
  • Let it steep for some time.
  • Then, soak a cotton ball in it and apply directly to the sores.
  • Alternatively, add 2-3 ml of lemon balm tincture in water.
  • Stir it well and drink. This alcohol-based liquid extract is effective for sores.
  • Drink the solution three times a day.
  • Lemon balm is also available in the form of creams and ointments. Apply the cream directly to heal herpes.

We recommend Herb Pharm Lemon Balm Extract.

7. Licorice Roots

These are full of therapeutic properties, which are helpful for the treatment of herpes infection. Licorice roots have glycyrrhizic acid, which fights against the herpes virus. Excessive use of it may result in hypertension and lowering of potassium. So, individuals suffering from heart problems and pregnant women should avoid the intake of licorice.

What to do:

  • Take 2 capsules of the extracts of the roots of licorice.

We recommend Himalaya Organic Licorice Caplets.

8. Tea Bags

Black tea is highly rich in tannin. It is known for anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

What to do:

  • Prepare a cup of black tea with the help of a tea bag.
  • Allow it to cool down.
  • After cooling, apply the tea bag on the infected area.
  • Leave it for 5 minutes on the sores.
  • For best results, repeat the process twice or thrice a day.

9. Cornstarch

One of the best home remedies for herpes is cornstarch. Cornstarch helps in absorbing excessive moisture from the skin. It helps in reducing chafing and itching.

What to do:

  • Apply some cornstarch directly on the infected area.
  • Take a cotton ball and dip it in the cornstarch.
  • Dab it gently on the sores.
  • To circumvent contamination, do not put used cotton ball again in the clean cornstarch.

10. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is the best remedy for its natural healing properties, and it’s used for a vast array of health issues. It can be effective for herpes blisters as well.

What to do:

  • To soothe the itching and redness, pure aloe vera gel should be used on sores.
  • Alternatively, take a fresh leaf of aloe vera.
  • Cut it into two halves.
  • Apply one of the gelled parts directly on the infected area.

We recommend Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel.

List of 21 home remedies for herpes treatment

11. Epsom Salt

Another home remedy for herpes is bathing in Epsom salt water. It is a perfect remedy for soothing the itching and pain in herpes. This remedy makes the sores dry, thereby reducing itching.

What to do:

  • Add some Epsom salt in warm bathing water.
  • Take a bath from it.
  • You can also add some salt in the bathtub.
  • Soak herpes infected area in the water.
  • Allow it to dry and then, take a shower.

We recommend Epsoak Epsom Salt.

12. Domeboro Powder

Domeboro powder can be used for healing the herpes infection. It can be used on the sores in the form of a compressor as wet dressing. The powder helps in soothing the irritated and itchy skin.

What to do:

  • Mix one packet of domeboro powder in water as per the directions on the packet.
  • Now, dip a piece of clean cloth in the solution.
  • Apply the cloth directly on the infected area.

We recommend Domeboro Powder Packs.

13. Lysine

One of the other natural remedies for herpes is lysine. It is a kind of amino acids that are found in foods, including milk, brewer’s yeast, cheeses, chicken, etc. It is known for reducing herpes outbreak.

What to do:

  • Look for lysine cream on the market.
  • Apply it to the infected areas according to the indications.

We recommend Quantum Super Lysine.

14. Black Coffee

Herpes virus infects not only genital parts but also lips, mouth, etc. Black coffee is one of the best remedies to treat them. Blisters in the mouth cause severe pain.

What to do:

  • Prepare black coffee.
  • Let it cool down and take a sip.
  • Hold it in the mouth for some time.
  • Move it to the lips as well.
  • For best results, repeat the process twice a day.

coffee beans

15. Soap and Warm Water

Surprisingly, warm water can have an unexpected effect on plenty of health issues. For example, soaking the herpes sore in warm water surely relieves the pain and itching.

What to do:

  • Soak the affected area in warm water.
  • Add soap to keep the area infection-free and clean.
  • Don’t forget to dry your genital parts with a clean towel.
  • Do not share a bathtub with an infected person.

16. Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is an effective solution for avoiding any type of skin diseases. For treating pain and itching arising due to herpes, herbal teas, like lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and chamomile are very effective.

What to do:

  • Choose your favorite plant from the list above.
  • Let it infuse and drink the tea a couple of times a day.
  • Combine different plants according to your preferences.

17. Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has antibacterial and anti-viral properties. It helps in quick healing of herpes blisters. Moreover, it’s one of the best home remedies for cold sores.

What to do:

  • Apply some manuka honey directly on the infected area.

We recommend Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey.

18. Over-the-counter Medicines

Pain relievers or over-the-counter analgesics are useful in relieving the aching herpes outburst.

What to do:

  • Use some of the OTC medications that include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
  • To treat herpes sores, some ointments, like propolis, can also be applied to the infected area.

19. Natural Oils

Natural oils are effective in relieving the herpes ache and itching. Olive, jojoba, tea tree, vitamin E, camellia, and calendula oils are known for fighting against the virus.

What to do:

  • Apply any of the natural oil or mixture of some oils on the infected area, gently. This will heal the infected skin.

20. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is another natural herpes treatment. It’s a good solution if you want to get rid of this problem at home quickly.

What to do:

  • Take some walnut hull powder and add Echinacea and goldenseal in it.
  • Stir it well to make a paste.
  • Apply the paste to the infected area.
  • Goldenseal is also available in pills, tincture, salve, and bulk powder.

We recommend Nature’s Way Goldenseal Herb.

21. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil, with its anti-viral properties, can help alleviate the symptoms of the herpes simplex virus and helps in the speedy recovery of herpes blisters. You can also use coconut oil as another herpes treatment alongside oregano oil.

What to do:

  • You just need to apply some oregano oil directly on the infected area.

We recommend UpNature Wild Oregano Oil.

Here is a short clip that talks about other remedies:

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Final Thoughts on the Home Remedies for Herpes Sores

Herpes sores can be quite difficult to get rid of on the body. Luckily, there are some useful home remedies and healing processes which you can use as herpes treatment if you want to try a natural approach. From oregano oil to the simple warm water, you can choose between a lot of solutions. However, it is a good idea to prevent such problems from appearing. Taking care of your diet, sleep schedule, and hygiene can help you avoid herpes in the future. Similarly, don’t have unprotected sex and try to keep an eye on the herpes symptoms before they evolve.