26 replies to this topic

[manic_racetam]

Ok, so I've been looking around for supplements that are effective for stopping/preventing herpes outbreaks. So far it looks like BHT and lysine are the best bets (especially BHT).

Are there any others that I should know about? (general googling will give answers like, Vit C, E, D etc)


Also, maybe more importantly what dosages should I use for the BHT? Suggested dosages are ranging from 250mg - 2gs on the internet. I'm 6-1 and my BMI is roughly 23.3 if that helps at all. There's not much information on this since acyclovir and it's other relatives are the only prescribed/accepted substances out there.

Thanks

[Athanasios]

I recently added fucoidan to my supplement regimen. I noticed a lot of mentions on pubmed about its use against herpes. It may be worth a look.

[Lufega]

Also look into prunella vulgaris and lithium. One of the mechanisms of acyclovir is by promoting the reuptake of lithium by the kidneys.

[Logan]

Lithium..ha ha, i say lithium for a lot of things

Edited by MorganM, 19 June 2011 - 05:30 AM.

[manic_racetam]

Thanks for all the leads so far... Looking into it right now. I'm intuitively turned off by Lithium for some reason, sorry about that, you do seem to like it a lot

I think I already bumped This Thread about BHT but it looks really promising. Anecdotal reports are saying it works way better than acyclovir... I'm just having a hard time figuring out what an acceptable/safe dose would be. Oh well, I'll keep searching. Thanks again

[zawy]

It's a virus, so I'd use 1,000 mg vit C 4 times a day, 5,000 IU vit D/day, up to 50 mg zinc per day (be careful: 25 mg makes me want to throw up if I take it on an empty stomach), and 10 echinacea pills/day. All of these have demonstrably positive effects on the cold virus, despite the propaganda out there that goes against the good observable science. Vit D had the most profound effect on colds/flu for me. Zinc too, but that's because in a cold/flu I can get direct contact with the virus.

[albedo]

You might also look at fucoidans: e.g. see here:

".....In laboratory studies, they block cell surface receptors those invaders need in order to attach themselves and enter human cells, preventing infection from taking hold.31,32 Viruses in particular can attach to a cell membrane receptor and then enter the cell interior, where their genetic material replicates and produces destructive effects on host cells. Undaria fucoidan extract has been shown to inhibit replication of herpes by stimulating ingestion of the virus by macrophage cells and boosting numbers of antibody-producing B cells.33,34 All of these experiments show great promise for future applications of fucoidans in protecting against various pathogens.

In an early phase, open-label trial, oral Undaria fucoidan was administered to 15 individuals of various ages (from under age 10 to age 72) suffering from herpetic infections including herpes type 1 (cold sores), herpes type 2 (genital herpes), herpes zoster (chicken pox; shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis). The Undaria dosage approximated typical daily seaweed intake in Japan. Undaria increased the healing rates of active herpes virus infections in all 15 subjects. Individuals with chicken pox and shingles noted reduced pain and more rapid resolution of skin lesions. In the laboratory, scientists found that the Undaria extract increased the growth of infection-fighting T-cells in cell culture. The scientists postulated that Undaria's ability to increase T-cell growth in the laboratory may be related to its ability to enhance immunity in human subjects.20...."

By personal experience I found Lysine very effective. Wrt BHT (no experience) there is an active thread of discussion in the LEF Forum; you might also wish to check out there.

Edited by albedo, 19 June 2011 - 03:04 PM.

[DbCooper]

FeverFew

[orchid035]

Maybe look into beta glucan or monolaurin (derived from coconut oil).
I have not tried monolaurin yet, but I do take straight coconut oil.
Here are the supplements I take daily that have decreased outbreaks tremendously:
Whole food raw multivitamin , 1 Tbs organic coconut oil, zinc 50mg, vit D3 400iu, l-lysine 500mg, olive leaf 150 mg, and beta glucan 1,3/1,6

[Lufega]

Lomatium and lemon balm are also antiviral and have been tested against Herpes.

[JLL]

Some people take rooibos tea to prevent herpes outbreaks. Could be worth checking out, although I'm not sure just drinking it would be enough.

[manic_racetam]

You might also look at fucoidans: e.g. see here:

".....In laboratory studies, they block cell surface receptors those invaders need in order to attach themselves and enter human cells, preventing infection from taking hold.31,32 Viruses in particular can attach to a cell membrane receptor and then enter the cell interior, where their genetic material replicates and produces destructive effects on host cells. Undaria fucoidan extract has been shown to inhibit replication of herpes by stimulating ingestion of the virus by macrophage cells and boosting numbers of antibody-producing B cells.33,34 All of these experiments show great promise for future applications of fucoidans in protecting against various pathogens.

In an early phase, open-label trial, oral Undaria fucoidan was administered to 15 individuals of various ages (from under age 10 to age 72) suffering from herpetic infections including herpes type 1 (cold sores), herpes type 2 (genital herpes), herpes zoster (chicken pox; shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis). The Undaria dosage approximated typical daily seaweed intake in Japan. Undaria increased the healing rates of active herpes virus infections in all 15 subjects. Individuals with chicken pox and shingles noted reduced pain and more rapid resolution of skin lesions. In the laboratory, scientists found that the Undaria extract increased the growth of infection-fighting T-cells in cell culture. The scientists postulated that Undaria's ability to increase T-cell growth in the laboratory may be related to its ability to enhance immunity in human subjects.20...."

By personal experience I found Lysine very effective. Wrt BHT (no experience) there is an active thread of discussion in the LEF Forum; you might also wish to check out there.

Thank you. I finally figured out what the LEF forum is and it does have just the info I was looking for.

[cathological]

Large quantities of dehydroepiandrosterone.

[aaron43]

I had a patch of warts on my knuckle for about the past 6 years. I have tried to freeze and pick at them and nothing happened. I started taking Methylene Blue, and as a "side effect" my warts are completely gone save a little scarring on my skin. This has to due with the elimination of the virus that causes the warts.
Since genital warts are similar in that they are viruses, id assume it could get rid of them. I attribute the disappearance of my warts entirely to MB. as 2 days after I started taking it my warts started softening and a week later they were gone

[snuffie]

Diindolylmethane (DIM) looks like it might be helpful: http://activamune.com/science.htm

i've been taking it in hopes that it will kill off and prevent recurrence of hand/foot warts that crop up every few months. haven't taken it for long enough yet nor regularly enough (i am forgetful) to know if it helps, but it looks promising.

the whole anti-cancer thing would be a nice bonus

[manic_racetam]

Diindolylmethane (DIM) looks like it might be helpful: http://activamune.com/science.htm

i've been taking it in hopes that it will kill off and prevent recurrence of hand/foot warts that crop up every few months. haven't taken it for long enough yet nor regularly enough (i am forgetful) to know if it helps, but it looks promising.

the whole anti-cancer thing would be a nice bonus

WOW, DIM looks very promising! That'll be the next few nights of research for me

[xEva]

I found that for "regular", lip herpes, a strong infusion of good quality Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) works better than lysine. Couple of cups the 1st day, and the lesions "deflate" next morning. I drink the tea the following day -- and it's all gone

[manic_racetam]

Thanks! I've heard so much good stuff about lemon balm I'll have to check it out.

As a follow up for anyone reading this for info on herpes treatments I'd have to say it's a no-go for the BHT. I happened to run out of acyclovir just as an outbreak occurred (pushed it a little too hard in my work-out and I'm pretty sure that depleted my immune system enough to allow an outbreak to happen).

I decided to wait on getting the acyclovir and to see how BHT would fair by itself. I made a topical BHT infused cream by throwing about 5 grams with a couple tablespoons of lotion and blending it up in a mini-blender. I was taking 1,000-2,000mg of BHT orally and applying the cream generously 2-3 times a day. On the third day I woke up and was dizzy, had abdominal pain and slightly altered vision (wavy or blurry). This was certainly an effect of taking too much BHT, and I was quite frightened for my liver.

I wasn't seeing any effect on the herpes blisters. The outbreak seemed to be going as a normal outbreak would without acyclovir. This is after dosing 250mg BHT everyday for about 5 or 6 months and increasing the dosage during the outbreak. I filled my prescription for acyclovir and decided to continue using the topical cream I'd made.

The cream seems to keep the blisters from breaking open and cracking but I'd say the effect is nominal and maybe could be achieved with just lotion alone.

Bummer about that because the websites promoting BHT make is sound so good... I remember reading a comment that said something like, "This stuff works better than acyclovir! Stupid FDA." In retrospect it was probably the vendor who wrote it or one of their employees. It seems imprudent to ingest a known carcinogen in high doses, and I'm no longer going to do so.

That's my two cents on it anyway.

[hooter]

Another vote for lemon balm.

[nowayout]

What's wrong with valacyclovir?

[Delafuente]

These studies suggest curcumin has an effect against HSV1 and HSV2:
1)"Curcumin inhibits herpes simplex virus immediate-early gene expression by a mechanism independent of p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase activity".

2) PMID 10443534.

Additionally, curcumin inhibits the mTOR pathway which is the suspected mechanism of action through which rampamycin extends life:
1) http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16550606

[nowayout]

Be careful with curcumin. It inhibits the CYP1a2 enzyme which metabolizes estrogen, caffeine, and many drugs. It therefore has the potential, for example, to change your hormonal balance, I suppose especially if you have a slow CYP1a2 (e.g., if you are a slow metabolizer of caffeine). Someone mentioned in another thread that it took away his libido, which could be from increased estrogen.

Edited by viveutvivas, 04 February 2012 - 08:47 PM.

[Delafuente]

Be careful with curcumin. It inhibits the CYP1a2 enzyme which metabolizes estrogen, caffeine, and many drugs. It therefore has the potential, for example, to change your hormonal balance, I suppose especially if you have a slow CYP1a2 (e.g., if you are a slow metabolizer of caffeine). Someone mentioned in another thread that it took away his libido, which could be from increased estrogen.

That's good to know for anyone considering taking curcumin. For those of you that have been genotyped by 23andme.com, you can find your CYP1a2 status by checking "Caffeine Metabolism" in the drug response section.

[albedo]

Herewith an article and the stack which LEF is recommending. I got quite good results with Lysine. But I also wonder what is wrong with valacyclovir:
http://www.lef.org/p...9.htm#AnchorSug
Probably we can think about integrative rather than alternative approaches. There is a good article on this in Rachel's "Integrative Medicine".

[Ultravioletbllc]

Been reading your posts and learning from you for a few seasons now Manic , so I was glad too chime in I successfully treated and cured hpv with a specific dim complex(pure encapsulations whom is only sometimes rivaled by life extension for they're intelligent design and use of quality bio available nutraceuticals ) with an auxiliary indole 3 carbinol supplement in conjunction with ganoderma extract ( look for high beta glucans and poly saccharides ) with a good lysine supplement ........... Taking the extras ( the ganoderma extract and the I3c ) will make a world of difference as will adding in two daily doses of plant sterols ( ps the dim complex I speak of contains the super bio available ascorbyl palmitate as well!!!!!!)

[nowayout]

Herewith an article and the stack which LEF is recommending. I got quite good results with Lysine. But I also wonder what is wrong with valacyclovir:
http://www.lef.org/p...9.htm#AnchorSug

I would rather just take valacyclovir than all that. Their stack may be natural but it seem irresponsible and possibly harmful: especially the 90 mg Zinc, which is close to a toxic dose, and the Licorice root, which is an anti-androgen that may have sexual side effects and may increase blood pressure, and possibly the curcumin, which is estrogenic and may cause sexual side effects.

[albedo]

Herewith an article and the stack which LEF is recommending. I got quite good results with Lysine. But I also wonder what is wrong with valacyclovir:
http://www.lef.org/p...9.htm#AnchorSug

I would rather just take valacyclovir than all that. Their stack may be natural but it seem irresponsible and possibly harmful: especially the 90 mg Zinc, which is close to a toxic dose, and the Licorice root, which is an anti-androgen that may have sexual side effects and may increase blood pressure, and possibly the curcumin, which is estrogenic and may cause sexual side effects.

It is a good point. I personally never take the full stack of a protocol they recommend as you might end likely taking too much of one nutrients and risk to mess up with other things. Looks like they tend to put in the stacks the top doses for which there is some evidence. Also if you try a protocol in its fullness I think you should try it short term and test results on all markers where you might have a positive or negative effect.