by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I have a form of herpes that appears on my lip during times of stress. I have heard that there is a specific supplement that can relieve pain and prevent outbreaks. Is this true?
A: Cold sores or fever blisters on the lip are generally caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. Cold sores tend to appear following sun exposure or during times of stress. They are also more likely to appear during menstruation, when you have a cold or the flu, or when your immune system is suppressed either through particular medications or for other health reasons.
The supplement to which you refer may be an amino acid called lysine. As I discussed in a previous question I answered about genital herpes (which is caused by a different form of the herpes virus known as HSV type 2), there has been some suggestion that lysine may reduce the length of time of a herpes outbreak and decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
While the evidence for lysine helping oral lesions is stronger than that for genital lesions, it is still not entirely convincing and I tend not to recommend using the supplement, particularly because long-term studies for safety have not been conducted. If you decide to try lysine despite the lack of safety data, confine your use to only during outbreaks and particularly stressful times; the dose is 500 milligrams twice a day. Keep a diary or log of symptoms, so that you can track whether the supplement is making a difference or not.
Similarly, some people say that too much of another amino acid, arginine, can awaken the herpes virus, which lies dormant in a nerve bundle to appear as visible blisters on the lip. Arginine is found in foods such as legumes, whole grains, and nuts. I would certainly not tell anyone to avoid these foods, since they are generally quite healthful, but perhaps during a herpes outbreak you could try to not eat these items, to see if the dietary change helps reduce the length of time of your outbreak. Arginine is also in cola and chocolate, so avoid these as well. Again, keep close track of whether these adjustments affect the frequency of outbreaks or duration of symptoms.
In terms of herbs for HSV type 1, you may want to try some aloe vera gel on active lip lesions. There is also a long list of traditional Chinese herbs that successfully treat many viruses in the herpes family, based upon studies conducted primarily in Japan and China. Prunella vulgaris and Pyrrosia lingua seem to have the most potential for treatment of HSV type 1. In fact, researchers in Nova Scotia reported in 1998 that Prunella vulgaris stopped the growth of both HSV type 1 and type 2 in test tubes. I would only recommend using these substances under the guidance of a practitioner trained and certified in traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, or botanical medicine.
The latest information shows that an herb balm mint known as Melissa officianalis lessens the severity of an outbreak of herpes of the lip. Like all treatments for herpes, the balm should be applied at the first onset of the burning, tingling or pain that occurs before a blister actually appears.
When you do need to use standard medication, in either topical or oral form (such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or penciclovir), eating Chinese parsley may improve the effectiveness of these antiviral agents.
Finally, the most prudent ways to prevent outbreaks include using good sunscreen on the lips and reducing stress through the regular practice of yoga, tai chi, meditation or other forms of relaxation. Also try ice cubes on your lips for relief during acute outbreaks.
Q: I have a form of herpes that appears on my lip during times of stress. I have heard that there is a specific supplement that can relieve pain and prevent outbreaks. Is this true?
A: Cold sores or fever blisters on the lip are generally caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. Cold sores tend to appear following sun exposure or during times of stress. They are also more likely to appear during menstruation, when you have a cold or the flu, or when your immune system is suppressed either through particular medications or for other health reasons.
The supplement to which you refer may be an amino acid called lysine. As I discussed in a previous question I answered about genital herpes (which is caused by a different form of the herpes virus known as HSV type 2), there has been some suggestion that lysine may reduce the length of time of a herpes outbreak and decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
While the evidence for lysine helping oral lesions is stronger than that for genital lesions, it is still not entirely convincing and I tend not to recommend using the supplement, particularly because long-term studies for safety have not been conducted. If you decide to try lysine despite the lack of safety data, confine your use to only during outbreaks and particularly stressful times; the dose is 500 milligrams twice a day. Keep a diary or log of symptoms, so that you can track whether the supplement is making a difference or not.
Similarly, some people say that too much of another amino acid, arginine, can awaken the herpes virus, which lies dormant in a nerve bundle to appear as visible blisters on the lip. Arginine is found in foods such as legumes, whole grains, and nuts. I would certainly not tell anyone to avoid these foods, since they are generally quite healthful, but perhaps during a herpes outbreak you could try to not eat these items, to see if the dietary change helps reduce the length of time of your outbreak. Arginine is also in cola and chocolate, so avoid these as well. Again, keep close track of whether these adjustments affect the frequency of outbreaks or duration of symptoms.
In terms of herbs for HSV type 1, you may want to try some aloe vera gel on active lip lesions. There is also a long list of traditional Chinese herbs that successfully treat many viruses in the herpes family, based upon studies conducted primarily in Japan and China. Prunella vulgaris and Pyrrosia lingua seem to have the most potential for treatment of HSV type 1. In fact, researchers in Nova Scotia reported in 1998 that Prunella vulgaris stopped the growth of both HSV type 1 and type 2 in test tubes. I would only recommend using these substances under the guidance of a practitioner trained and certified in traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, or botanical medicine.
The latest information shows that an herb balm mint known as Melissa officianalis lessens the severity of an outbreak of herpes of the lip. Like all treatments for herpes, the balm should be applied at the first onset of the burning, tingling or pain that occurs before a blister actually appears.
When you do need to use standard medication, in either topical or oral form (such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or penciclovir), eating Chinese parsley may improve the effectiveness of these antiviral agents.
Finally, the most prudent ways to prevent outbreaks include using good sunscreen on the lips and reducing stress through the regular practice of yoga, tai chi, meditation or other forms of relaxation. Also try ice cubes on your lips for relief during acute outbreaks.