Cold sores those red painful lesions that perpetually encroach upon the area surrounding the mouth. They spoil date night ruin the complexion and are a source of embarrassment and frustration. Also known as fever blisters these persistent sores are simply an external representation of an internal viral infection. Cold sores are the most common manifestation of a herpes simplex labialis infection the most prevalent type of herpes simplex virus. 

Once infected with any form of the herpes simplex virus a lifelong infection is established and symptoms occur according to the reproductive cycle of the virus. After the initial infection the herpes virus migrates to sensory nerve ganglia where it resides indefinitely. The infected individual remains asymptomatic during this quiet remission period. However it is during this time that asymptomatic shedding of the virus occurs and transmission upon contact is possible. Localized lesions that identify the specific type of herpes infection cold sores for example flare up when the latent virus begins to reproduce and create red swollen vesicles that leak a highly contagious fluid possessing active viral particles. The lesions eventually form scabs and enter the remission period once again. Current treatment protocols for the herpes virus utilize anti-inflammatories to reduce lesion size and antiviral monotherapy to inhibit viral replication but they have yet to be successful at significantly reducing the duration or severity of recurrence. Currently it is well known that the herpes simplex virus is more likely to reactivate when the immune system is depressed. Deficiencies in innate immunity lead to uncontrolled relapses in humans already infected with herpes simplex virus. Considering the influential role of immunity in relapses perhaps a better treatment approach should focus on supporting the immune system and its potential ability to let this sleeping virus lie.

Herbal Support

Scientific research and numerous clinical studies provide a substantial amount of evidence supporting the usage of various botanicals for improving immunity especially during a viral assault. Echinacea is particularly adept at enhancing the antiviral activities of the immune system. It can upregulate gene expression of various immune cells stimulate phagocytosis and suppress the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition to its immune-modulating abilities standardized preparations of the aerial parts and roots of echinacea show potent virucidal activity against the herpes simplex virus when in contact with the direct virus either prior to cell entry or during asymptomatic shedding.

Astragalus a close companion to echinacea shares the ability to modulate and support the immune system especially when a viral attack is at hand. A recent study discovered that this amazing botanical was able to protect astrocytes from herpes simplex virus through a multitude of mechanisms involving increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-I± (TNF-I±) toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and interleukin-6 and activation of nuclear factor-IB (NF-IB). In this way astrocytes were able to grow and proliferate in a normal manner. Infection with herpes simplex virus attenuates the growth and proliferation of cells but in the presence of astragalus polysaccharide normal growth and proliferation was promoted.

Mushroom extract provides another source of immune support and virucidal activity. An isolated proteoglycan of Reishi mushrooms was found to inhibit viral replication and hence the death of cells infected with herpes simplex virus. Similarly a protein from Maitake mushrooms was shown to inactivate and inhibit replication of herpes simplex virus in a dose-dependent manner. Other mushrooms including the Chaga medicinal mushroom and the almond mushroom have been studied for their antiherpetic and antiviral properties.

Relapse and remission may be the targeted outcome for individuals already infected with herpes simplex virus but prevention in non-infected individuals should be an equally sought after goal. Botanicals have not only been shown to aid remission but they also help provide assistance with prevention. Monocaprin and lauric acid two superior fatty acids found in coconut oil were tested for their ability to reduce large numbers of herpes simplex virus in a short amount of time. Results showed a greater than 100000-fold reduction in virus titer within 1 minute at a concentration of 20mM. This significant outcome provides valuable insight into the usage of these two compounds as preventative agents.

While Western medicine continues its search for effective antiviral medications nature appears to provide us with an array of synergistic botanicals that not only support and assist the immune system in its fight against persistent viral attacks but also shows promise for prevention against infection.

For Related Resource Material Liston to our  Clinical Rounds from Sept 18 2013: Herbal Medicines for Stealth Infections with Nikolas Hedberg DC DABC