Medicinal Plants have a Broad Use in Treating Herpes



Posted: Saturday, October 09, 2010

by Vita Li

Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms of which are colloquially called cold sores, infects the face and mouth. Oral herpes is the most common form of infection. Genital herpes is the second most common form of herpes. Other disorders such as herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, ocular herpes, cerebral herpes infection encephalitis, Mollaret's meningitis, neonatal herpes, and possibly Bell's palsy are all caused by herpes simplex viruses.

Herpes is a viral disease caused by both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2. Herpes viruses cycle between periods of active disease, followed by a remission period during which the sores disappear. Genital herpes, however, is often asymptomatic, though viral shedding may still occur. After initial infection, the viruses move to sensory nerves, where they reside as life-long, latent viruses. Causes of recurrence are uncertain, though some potential triggers have been identified. Over time, episodes of active disease reduce in frequency and severity.

The h erpes s implex v irus is highly contagious. Although there are eight different strains, HSV - 1 and HSV - 2 are responsible for the majority of herpes infections. Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding. Barrier protection methods are the most reliable method of preventing transmission of herpes, but they merely reduce rather than eliminate risk.

Herpes simplex should not be confused with conditions caused by other viruses in the herpesviridae family such as herpes zoster, which is a viral disease caused by varicella zoster virus. There is also a possibility of confusion with "hand, foot and mouth disease" due to apparition of lesions on the skin. Oral herpes is easily diagnosed if the patient presents with visible sores or ulcers. Early stages of orofacial herpes and genital herpes are harder to diagnose; laboratory testing is usually required. U p to thirty percent of the population are being infected .

Twenty percent of the U.S. population has antibodies to HSV-2, although not all of them have a history of genital lesions. The painful clusters of blisters reappear, usually in the same area, with agonizing regularity. Once the disease has been contracted, the patient is infected for life. However, after several years, some people will become perpetually asymptomatic and will no longer experience outbreaks, though they may still be contagious to others. Vaccines are in clinical trials but have not demonstrated effectiveness.

Although the blisters often occur in the genital area, they may also be found on the thighs and buttocks. This genital disease remains dormant in the lower spinal column, ready to migrate down the sensory nerves to the skin during lower immunity, and any herpes treatment must address this as well. Treatments can reduce viral reproduction and shedding, prevent the virus from entering the skin, and alleviate the severity of symptomatic episodes. Current solutions for herpes simplex treatment have a wide variety of side effects, including a metal-like after taste, dry mouth, and constipation.

Medicinal plants have a broad use in the treatment for herpes infections. The effectiveness of plant medicine for herpes represents real hope. The undeniable and profound pharmacological effects of this treatment for herpes support its therapeutic use. Plant medicine is composed of naturally occurring high intensity antiviral extracts which have a lethal effect against herpes viruses upon exposure. This natural treatment provides maximum and rapid penetration of antiviral agents into cell membranes without damaging human cells.

N atural drugs are not for destroying enemy but for mobilizing autologous tissue or self-recovery capability. N atural drugs have an effect to improve effect and decrease toxicity by compatibility of medicines and reduce side effect further. It therefore comes as no surprise that application of plant medicine during prodrome, the tingling before an outbreak, can prevent herpes blisters forming, aborting the pending flare up altogether. I n the trend of taking natural drugs, natural drugs are emerging all over the world . To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.
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