11 Effective DIY Herbal Treatments for Herpes
Living with herpes can be challenging, and the friends I know that suffer from it have often expressed feelings of hopelessness.
In fact, I had one friend tell me it felt like a constant battle – dealing with their flare ups. I can’t imagine the frustration, especially when medications fail.
However, let me deliver the good news – nature offers a plethora of herbs that have been traditionally used to manage its symptoms. You have options, and natural ones at that.
Let’s delve into the 12 potent botanical allies, focusing on their effectiveness, traditional uses, and simple preparations to support your journey. The first four are going to be the most potent in my opinion, but all of the options here are excellent.
Prunella Vulgaris | St. John’s Wort | Cat’s Claw | Osha Root | Chaga | Reishi | Anise Hyssop | Calendula | Chickweed | Burdock | Oregon Grape Root |
1. Prunella vulgaris (Self-Heal)
Also known as wound wort and Heal-All, Prunella Vulgaris is an incredible herb. It can be used to treat but Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2, in large part due to its antiviral properties.
It keeps the virus from infecting host cells, and it contains polysaccharides that exhibit potent antiviral properties against the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Research indicates that Self-Heal can inhibit HSV by blocking specific signaling pathways in the body.
Historically, this herb has been used in European and Asian medicine to treat wounds, sore throats, and many skin ailments, earning its most famous nickname “Self-Heal.” Nicole Apelian Ph.D states that she prefers to use it as a complimentary herb, so if you’d like more potency, use it alongside one of the other following herbal treatments.
Preparation: To harness its benefits for herpes specifically, prepare an infusion:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried Prunella vulgaris leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
Instructions:
- Place the dried leaves in a cup.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves. This is what makes it an infusion instead of a decoction – to read more about the difference, check out my post on it here.
- Cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes, and don’t mess with it!
- Strain and drink up to three times daily. Sweeten with honey if you’d like.
Click Here To Grab Prunella Vulgaris
2. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
The Golden Healer, it should come as no surprise that St. John’s Wort has made this list. This infusion is done using a solar infusion, so preparing it 6-8 weeks ahead of time is ideal.
For our specific uses today, St. John’s Wort is effective because it contains hyperforin, a compound with antiviral activity. Studies have shown its efficacy against various viruses, including HSV, by inhibiting viral replication.
Beyond its antiviral properties, this herb has been traditionally used to alleviate depression and nerve pain, making it a versatile remedy in herbal medicine. If you want to read more on it, check out my other post here.
Preparation: For this herb, topical application on herpes lesions is best:
Ingredients:
- Fresh St. John’s Wort flowers
- Olive oil (enough to cover the flowers)
Instructions:
- Fill a clean jar with fresh St. John’s Wort flowers.
- Pour olive oil over the flowers until fully submerged.
- Seal the jar and place it in a sunny spot for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally.
- Strain the oil and store it in a dark bottle.
- Apply the infused oil to herpes sores 2-3 times daily, cover in clean gauze.
Click Here To Grab St. John’s Wort
3. Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
When researching, I was not surprised to find Cat’s Claw, a non-native plant with incredible constituents.
Cat’s Claw is known for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been traditionally used to manage viral infections, including herpes, by modulating the immune response and reducing inflammation due to its quinovic acid glycosides.
Indigenous tribes in the Amazon have long used Cat’s Claw to treat various ailments, from digestive issues to infections to venereal diseases.
Preparation: A simple decoction can be made as follows:
Ingredients:
- 3 teaspoons of dried Cat’s Claw bark
- 2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Empty your water into a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle boil, then add your herbs.
- Once added, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Strain and drink once daily.
4. Osha Root (Ligusticum porteri)
So, turns out Osha actually has a ton of other names, so if you aren’t familiar, turns out, you might be. Try bear medicine, indian loveroot, mountain ginseng, the list goes on.
Osha root has been traditionally used for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, particularly against respiratory and viral infections, including herpes.
Native American tribes have utilized Osha root to treat respiratory infections, sore throats, and as a general immune booster too.
Preparation: To prepare an Osha root tea for topical application:
Ingredients:
- Fresh or dried Osha root
- Filtered, clean water, 2 cups.
Instructions:
- Empty your water into a saucepan.
- Bring it to a soft boil.
- Add your osha root, about 2-3 tablespoons.
- Reduce to a simmer and leave it for 20 minutes.
- Cool fully, strain well, apply topically with a sterile compress or a sterile cotton swab.
5. Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)
You probably weren’t expecting mushrooms! Well guess what, the next one is a mushroom too.
Chaga Mushroom (a.k.a tinder conk) is rich in antioxidants and has immune-modulating properties, which helps the body manage viral infections.
Plus, it has demonstrated its potency against HSV in several studies, including one from University of Wisconsin, where it completely crippled it from growing in test tubes.
Chaga is a popular shroom, and has been used in folk medicine to boost immunity and combat infections. A common thing with mushrooms I’ve found – most of them require double extractions, since not all of their medicinal properties can bee taken with one menstruum.
preparation: Brew a double extraction tincture for internal use with chaga root:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Chaga Mushroom.
- 15 oz of 80-100 proof alcohol
- 8 oz of distilled water.
Instructions:
- In a jar, combine your mushrooms with your alcohol, about 2-3 oz of chaga, give or take. Set this aside somewhere cool and out of direct sinlight, shake daily for 6-8 weeks.
- After this time period, strain well and set aide.
- Bring your water to a boil in a saucepan. Add your chaga.
- Reduce to a simmer, continue until about half of the water has boiled off, adding small amounts as you to go to make sure you don’t get below halfway.
- Remove, strain, cool. combine with alcohol, store in a dark place for years! The alcohol will keep it shelf stable.
- Take 2 times daily at first sign of an outbreak.
Click Here To Grab Chaga Mushroom
6. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi mushrooms are renowned for their many health benefits and antiviral properties!
For the case of HSV, studies have demonstrated that compounds in Reishi can inhibit the replication of HSV. Specifically, extracts from Reishi have been shown to prevent these viruses from growing in test tubes and reduce the severity symptoms in animals.
Preparation: To utilize Reishi for herpes management, you can prepare a decoction:
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of chopped reishi mushroom
- 2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Empty your water into a saucepan, bring it to a boil.
- Add your reishi, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 30 minutes to an hour, make sure it doesn’t reduce by more than half.
- Strain the liquid and discard the mushroom pieces.
- Drink 1 cup of the decoction daily.
Click Here To Grab Reishi Mushrooms
7. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise Hyssop has strong antimicrobial properties that may help in managing herpes symptoms. This herb was also traditionally used by Native Americans for its medicinal properties, including treating colds, coughs, and wounds, as well as viral diseases.
This herb can actually be used externally and internally, so give them both a try if you’re up for it.
External Use: Essential Oil – diluted. Try this essential oil with a good carrier oil, like sunflower.
Internal Use: Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of anise hyssop leaves.
- 1.5 cups of boiling water.
Instructions:
- Bring your water to a gentle boil.
- Pour over your leaves, steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain if necessary, drink twice daily for outbreaks.
Click Her To Grab Your Anise Hyssop Tea
8. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Another unsurprising addition – anytime there is a skin ailment of any kind, you can bet Calendula has what you need.
Calendula has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it beneficial for soothing herpes lesions. Additionally, its leaves are an immunostimulant, triggering your immune system to work harder and faster.
I would give you a list of traditional uses for Calendula, but it is so vast, it would be easier to just summarize it as your skin’s best friend.
Preparation: Craft a potent calendula salve:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Calendula Flowers
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 3tbsp Beeswax (pellets)
- Clean container (tin, amber jar.)
Instructions:
- Fill a jar with your calendula, and pour over the oil.
- Let infuse for 5-6 weeks in a sunny window.
- Strain well, and bring to a slow heat in a double boiler (place the clean oil in a clean jar, in a pot with water midway up the jar. simmer.)
- Once the oil is heated, add your beeswax. Stir until melted.
- Pour into a clean container and let set.
Click Here For Your Dried Calendula Flowers
9. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
If you have chickens you might now this one, since it’s commonly included in their feed! Chickweed is a detoxifier and a blood purifier, drawing out poisons and illness of the body from a wound.
Chickweed is also known for its cooling and soothing properties, which can alleviate itching and irritation associated with herpes outbreaks! This is another one best taken internally and externally – either in a tea, or a poultice. I will give you the recipe for the poultice.
Preparation: Create this fresh chickweed poultice, combine with drinking tea for best results:
Ingredients:
- 4 Tbsp Chickweed
- 3 tbsp Raw Honey
Instructions:
- Grind or blend the two ingredients together until you reach a fine paste consistency.
- Cover with clean gauze or linens, reapply every 6-8 hours.
10. Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa)
A fantastic skin soother thanks to its mucilage, Greater Burdock is a little lesser known, but no less powerful.
Greater Burdock has antiviral properties and is a great detoxifier, and has been used in traditional medicine for a long time to treat herpes and other skin conditions.
Preparation: Prepare a decoction of Burdock Root for topical application: by simmering 1-2 teaspoons of dried Burdock root in 2 cups of water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink once daily.
Ingredients:
- 3 teaspoons of Greater Burdock
- 2 Cups of Water
Instructions:
- Bring your water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add your Burdock and reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until water slightly reduced.
- Strain well, cool completely, apply topically 2 times daily.
Click Here To Grab Greater Burdock
11. Oregon Grape Root(Mahonia aquifolium)
I use oregon grape topically for dry skin on my hands and arms, because its an excellent moisturizer, but it is also potent internally.
Oregon Grape contains berberine, which has antimicrobial properties effective against various pathogens, including viruses. On a side note, it also has similar effects to the drug Metformin, which is used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
Preparation: Create a topical wash of Oregon Grape Root:
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp dried Oregon Grape Root
- 2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Bring your water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add your root and reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then cut the heat and strain.
- Once cooled fully, apply liberally twice a day, cover in a clean cloth or gauze.
Click Here To Grab Oregon Grape Root
At The End Of The Day
At the end of the day, I want you to know there are always holistic, herbal remedies out there. Modern medicine is incredible, but we turn to it so often, we forget there are other options, ones with less side effects, no counterindications. Ones that grow from the very soil.
I hope you found this helpful! Comment below which herbs you want to see next! ~
