Valtrex and herbal medicines

[mystupidex]

Is it ok to take more than one pill/treatment type for Herpes.  I'm taking Valtrex 1 gm per day and also have started taking a pill from Herpaflor that contains Lysine, Purella Vulgaris, licorice root and vitamins A,C and zinc.  I'm doing a lot of research on the internet trying to learn what other herbs I can use to help prevent an outbreak.  
Is there something topical I can put on my upper lip and other areas that will prevent an outbreak from recurring there?  And if I do, do I risk a new outbreak somewhere else in my body?  I've read about olive leaf oil, andogrphis and oregano.  Is it safe to get those supplements and start adding them to my self prescribed treatment plan?

[waringblender]

Yes, it does. That is the reason people use Valtrex when they are having sex with negative partners. If you decrease shedding, you decrease the risk of infection to another person.

I like the advice about decreasing stress mentioned above. I actually don't believe there is any hard risk of outbreaks based on stress, but different people just react differently to stress.  I have a highly stressful career and yet I don't get outbreaks but once every couple of years, if that.

So if outbreaks occur more frequently for you during stress, then obviously try to decrease the stress - get regular exercise, eat a low-carb diet, try not to work long hours or overextend yourself, or whatever.

[mystupidex]

Do does Valtrex daily prevent the shedding?  Is there anything else you can do to prevent shedding or an outbreak?

[waringblender]

I agree that the placebo effect can be very strong. And that's what's happening with the herbal treatments. I recall a study where a bunch of patients went in for an ortho surgery (??knee), and in half the patients all the doctor did was make an incision, and in the other half, they did the actual surgery, and the patients who only had the incision actually had a decrease in their pain - because they were convinced that surgery was going to help them, and they believed they had had the surgery.

If herbal treatments make you feel "better," knock yourself out - but personally I'd rather spend my money on something else that would help me decrease stress in my life or make me feel better - a nice massage, a good book, a lovely  meal in a 5-star restaurant, or whatever. Whatever floats your boat.

[daisy315]

I don't think it does any harm to take Herbal Supplements in an effort to boost your Immune System which in turn may help towards fewer outbreaks as Waringblender said it won't prevent them but it's always good to keep your Immune System as healthy as possible,I'm not a big fan of prescribed drugs but with HSV if you want to avoid outbreaks or have them heal faster then there is no real choice in the matter and more often than not Antivirals need to be taken for those reasons,thankfully I have not read of any long term effects from them.I am a great believer in all things Natural and take several things myself whether they do me any good or not is another matter lol but the mind is a wonderful tool so if I THINK I feel better because of them then so be it I'm happy with that and I don't care what the cost is it's worth it lol ..... perhaps all they do is keep my imagination in top form hehe!!      

Daisy

[waringblender]

I don't know about the topical stuff, but the Herpaflor or whatever it is won't do a thing for preventing outbreaks. Only the Valtrex will.

I personally wouldn't spend my hard-earned money on "treatments" that haven't been tested in clinical trials.

You are going to have herpes the rest of your life - doesn't it make sense to use the cheapest AND most effective treatment - in other words, to get the most bang for your buck? That would be acyclovir or, if your insurance covers it, Valtrex/Famvir. Acyclovir can be had for as little as a 3-month supply for US $15. Is your Herbaflower that cheap?