Herpes simplex is a virus than can cause inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus. This leads to symptoms that include acid regurgitation and heartburn. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that is the most common treatment of the Herpes simplex virus.
Western Treatment
There is no cure for herpes. Treatments with antiviral medications (such as Acyclovir) may:
- Help sores heal sooner during an outbreak
- Lessen the severity and duration of symptoms in recurrent outbreaks
- Reduce the frequency of recurrence
- Minimize the chance of transmitting the herpes virus to another
Popular antiviral medications include:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Famciclovir (Famvir)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
These medications may be recommended by a doctor only during outbreaks, or on a daily basis.
TCM Treatment
I have found two herbal combinations to be effective against the herpes simplex virus.
Combination one contains the following and can be combined with the second:
- Isatis extract leaf and root
- Oldenlandia herb
- Lonicera flower
- Prunella herb
- Andrographis herb
- Laminaria leaf
- Viola herb
- Cordyceps fruiting body
- Licorice root
The second formula includes the following and should be combined with the first mixture when heat signs are present:
- Isatis extract leaf and root
- Astragalus root
- Bupleurum root
- Laminaria leaf
- Codonopsis root
- Epimedium leaf
- Lycium fruit
- Dioscorea root
- Ligustrum fruit
- Broussonetia fruit
- White Atractylodes rhizome
- Licorice root
If the patient has cold signs, combine the second mixture with the following:
- Red Ganoderma fruiting body
- Tremella fruiting body
- Poria sclerotium
- Polyporus sclerotium