The Herpes Simplex virus (or HSV) is a difficult disease. It is widely known as incurable, with painful skin lesions on sensitive areas of the body. The lesions reccur more often for some people than others - their 'outbreaks' tend to be related to periods of high-stress. Modern medicine does not offer a cure, though there are pharmaceutical preparations available to limit the frequency and duration of HSV outbreaks. With a reputation as 'incurable', 'painful', 'not-so-pretty', and varieties described as 'oral and labial' or 'genital', the disease can be a little challenging and embarrasing to say the least.
This is a personal account - I had herpes outbreaks for several years, and had to deal with painful sores in my mouth and on my lips - sometimes so bad I thought my teeth were falling out! I've been through those internal struggles on how to break it to an intimate partner - thankfully their response was never as sever as I expected - hough it still seemed like a big deal to me. I regularly had those telling days of feeling a flu was about to hit, with several days of lesions to follow. What seemed the worst, being an athlete, was that training really hard tended to cause outbreaks almost for certain.
I freqently wondered in the midst of these bouts with HSV if this was something I'd have to deal with for the rest of my life - I tried doctor prescribed medicines, Lysine and other remedies, but none kept the virus at bay enough to really make a difference.
Then someone introduced me to essential oils, and I learned a little about their studied antiviral activity. I stumbled onto research performed with a certain oil known as Melissa. Melissa essential oil is distilled from Melissa herb, a plant with a long history in natural medicine. The plant yields a relatively small amount of oil compared to other aromatic varieties, so it's cost seems a little high. But formal investigation has been being going on in Europe for many years applying the oil to herpes lesions, with very promising results. One company has even extracted a component of the oil and sold it in a prescription form (though I have not read of any evidence showing the extract works better than the oil itself).
Perhaps the most impressive statement about the efficacy of Melissa on herpes outbreaks was made by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a German scientist at the Technical University of Munich - he reported that a 'one time' application of 'true' Melissa oil could lead to a complete remission of outbreaks. A cure! It seemed expensive for a little bottle of clear liquid, but not so when compared to any other medicine - and the possibility of a 'complete remission of outbreaks'! I'd figured I had nothing to lose.
Searching further, I found a regimine for the oils' use. Melissa might not lead to a complete remission in just one application - other healers were finding success when the oil was applied to the affected area when an outbreak felt 'imminent'. The oil was applied perhaps three times per day during the outbreak; this was repeated the next several times the user thought an outbreak may be coming on, and through the duration of the skin healing. My outbreaks were usually on my tongue at that point (though they started on the palate of my mouth). I would get a very fatigued feeling for a few days, then my tongue would get what seemed like individual taste buds that would feel as though they were burnt (and yes, I have had medical confirmation as to their cause). I also had lesions on my lip, but not as often. So I began the Melissa oil program - just one drop in my mouth a few times a day - and thankfully I actually liked the taste!
It turns out I wasn't one of the few with a complete remission occuring with the first application - though I didn't really expect it. The essential oil did help, however - the outbreaks were shorter and less intense. Then, after perhaps 5-7 times, the outbreaks stopped all together. And life has certainly been no less stressful or physical - perhaps even the opposite! But I've had no more oncoming flu symptoms or sores on my lips or in my mouth - even after heavy sun exposure. I can't remember the last time I've had an outbreak now.
For more sensitive skin (I do not have direct experience with the genital variety of the disease - however, the liturature does not make a distiction as the oil's efficacy) Melissa can be diluted in a carrier oil like Hazelnut or Rosehip Seed. The dilution can be down to 10% (or even much less say some practitioners) of the total concentration and still be just as effective. PLEASE NOTE: taking any essential oil orally, and undiluted certainly, should be done with caution - pay attention to your own reaction and proceed accordingly. However, used in a carrier oil or directly, the protocol should be followed as closely as possible - apply just enough oil to cover the area a few times a day as soon as you feel an outbreak looming, and continue use until the lesions have completely healed. Repeat this the next several times an outbreak is imminent. There are no guarantees, but others have reportedly also had complete remission of the outbreaks using this method.
Another variety of Herpes virus is known as Shingles. This causes sore and weeping lesions of the skin. Sufferers have found relief with Ravensara essential oil (also considered a powerful anti-viral) mixed half-and-half with Tamanu nut or Callophylum oil. The Tamanu acts to sooth and nourish the skin while the Ravensara oil acts on the virus itself. I have not seen evidence of complete remission of shingles using this blend, but have heard of many folks finding significant relieve using this combination.
So if you choose to use aromatherapy oils like Melissa or Ravensara yourself (or to a recommendation), find a trusted source for the essential oils. Find 'true' varieties of each - Melissa is often adulterated, and the real thing is generally priced between $10 and $20 per milliliter (about 25 drops, which actually goes a long way); Ravensara should be of the 'Ravensara aromatica' variety. Be conservative with direct application - remember that diluting the oil has not been reported to reduce efficacy. Yes, I liked the Melissa oil straight, and never had a problem - but others I've known have had sensitive reactions - though this may have been related to UV exposure. Be good to yourself and listen to your body - may you achieve healing success!

Submit Articles in Article Directory: http://promotearticles.com

wellness practice.

If you enjoy this article please take the time to rate it, or share it at your favorite bookmarking network.

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated

       
     

Get new articles in your email: