Control Herpes With Oil of Oregano

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1(HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). It is a sexually transmitted disease and is usually spread from person to person. The virus affects the genitals, cervix and the skin on other parts of the body. In some people the symptoms are very mild or may not show at all. But when they appear, they usually manifest as one or more blisters in the genital area.

The blisters tend to break, resulting in sores which usually take two to four weeks to heal. But the blisters re-appear after several weeks or months although it is less severe than the first outbreak. Herpes is a chronic condition and the infection can stay in the body indefinitely. However, the incidence of outbreaks usually decreases in the passing of years.

A study showed that genital herpes is common in the United States wherein one out of 6 persons are infected and this has remained stable over the past decade. Usually it is the 14 to 49 age range that has genital HSV-2 infection. One out five women and one out of nine men are the established rate of infection. Transmission is usually from an infected male to his female partner than from an infected female to her male partner.

Signs and Symptoms
A person infected with herpes is usually not aware that he/she is infected. But when the symptoms occur in the first outbreak, it is usually very pronounced. It occurs within the first two weeks after the transmission of the virus. Blisters will appear on the genitals and sores around the mouth. The sores will heal within two to four weeks. Some of the accompanying signs are flu-like symptoms, appearance of another group of sores, fever and swollen glands. There are recurring symptoms like cold sores on the mouth, tingling and burning sensations around the genitals before the blisters appear, blisters on the thigh, buttocks and rectum, and sores around the cervix.

Typical Treatments
Unfortunately, there is no real medicinal cure for herpes. Antiviral medications can only minimize and shorten the outbreaks in the period that the medication is administered to the patient. As a form of prevention, suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes is given to prevent transmission to partners.

Oregano Oil – A Wiser Alternative
Thankfully, we now have a very powerful natural product that can be used to fight the herpes virus. This is oregano oil, a potent antimicrobial substance derived from the Mediterranean wild oregano plant Origanum vulgare. This wild plant has been used for thousands, from the times of ancient Greece, for the treatment of common diseases.

These days, it is the essential oil extracted from the crushed leaves of the plant that is used medicinally for killing harmful germs. Our modern scientists have found that this oil contains significant amounts of phytochemical, phenols and flavonoids that can kill bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, including those which cause herpes.

One of its germ-killing substances is carvacrol which was also found to be an anti-inflammatory agent. It also contains considerable amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements good for strengthening the body’s immune response. This oil can be used to treat herpes effectively because of its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Using Oregano Oil for Treating Herpes
When this essential oil is used for treating herpes, skin break-outs will be prevented and the patient will be relieved of symptoms such as skin irritation, cold sores, blisters and skin inflammation. It can be used topically as well as internally. The internal dosage should be distributed throughout the day instead of just one large dose at one time. Due to the oil’s strong essence, the skin may produce a burning sensation when applied topically, though this will subside after a few minutes.

For topical application, oregano oil must be applied to the cold sore before the skin breaks out. Before the skin erupts, a tingling sensation is usually felt. This is the best time to apply the oil. But before applying the oil, dilute it first with virgin olive oil to mitigate its effects on the skin. The usual dilution is 2 to 3 drops of oregano oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This treatment will stop the eruption.

If you want to facilitate your recovery and ensure your healing, you need to take the oil internally. Place 2 to 3 drops of oregano oil under your tongue and let it stay there long enough until it is fully absorbed. Do this 2 to 3 times during the day. Repeat this mode of treatment until the herpes infection is cleared.