• Fever, cold, flu, weakened immune system, stress – herpes attacks often occur when a person is run down, sleep-deprived, experienci... More

• Fever, cold, flu, weakened immune system, stress – herpes attacks often occur when a person is run down, sleep-deprived, experiencing excessive stress, all of which weaken the immune system, which enables the virus to replicate more easily.
• Ultra-violet light (sun and tanning beds) exposure – ultra-violet light is a known trigger factor for herpes viruses. Do not over expose yourself to UV- light
• Trauma to the skin – cold sores and canker sores are often triggered by trauma or abrasion to the lips or inside of the mouth, including the tongue.
• Foods containing high levels of the amino acid arginine, especially peanuts, chocolate and almonds – the amino acid arginine is required for the herpes virus to replicate. As such, eating foods high in arginine are associated with more frequent herpes outbreaks. The same holds true for dietary supplements containing arginine.

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• Avoid Foods Rich In Arginine – as reported in the section above, herpes viruses requires arginine to produce an arginine-rich prote... More

• Avoid Foods Rich In Arginine – as reported in the section above, herpes viruses requires arginine to produce an arginine-rich protein (Protein VII), which is at the viral core. An inability to produce this protein inhibits replication of the herpes virus. Although many foods contain more arginine than lysine (explained below) the consumption of chocolate, peanuts and almonds are most frequently reported to trigger herpes outbreaks
• Consume Foods Rich In The Amino Acid Lysine – studies indicate that herpes viruses extract lysine from the bloodstream, thinking it is arginine, as arginine and lysine have very similar chemical structures. Once inside the virus, the virus attempts to use lysine to make Protein VII, but the attempt fails resulting in an inability for the virus to replicate. As such, lysine acts like an arginine substitute, which fools the virus and prevents it from replicating and causing outbreaks. Foods that contain high levels of lysine include most vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey, and chicken.
• Avoid Alcohol – alcohol weakens the immune system and is a known trigger for herpes outbreaks
• Reduce Intake Of Refine Sugars and Aspartame – anecdotal reports suggest that consuming refine sugar increases the frequency of herpes outbreaks. Other reports suggest that the same holds true for aspartame-sweetened soft drinks.
• Vegan Diet – some individuals report success controlling herpes outbreaks by avoiding the consumption of all animal-based foods. Overall, it certainly makes sense to eat a largely plant-based diet and use only fish, chicken, turkey and low fat plain yogurt if animal foods are to be consumed.
• Consume Broccoli And Other Cruciferous Vegetables Daily – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and bok choy contain an active ingredient known as the indole-3-carbinol, which has been shown to inhibit replication of herpes viruses. Individuals consuming these foods daily and supplementing with indole-3-carbinol have reported decreased frequency of herpes outbreaks

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• Virgin Coconut Oil – ingest one tablespoon per day – a number of reports suggest this can reduce frequency of outbreaks
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• Virgin Coconut Oil – ingest one tablespoon per day – a number of reports suggest this can reduce frequency of outbreaks
• Virgin Coconut Oil applied topically to the lips  after exposure to ultra-violet light – this has been reported to inhibit development of cold sores
• Witch Hazel (oil) – using a cotton ball to dab Witch Hazel on to lesions at the first sign of tingling has been reported to block herpes outbreaks from advancing (apply several times per day to involved area)
• Hydrogen Peroxide and L-Lysine – crush some lysine into hydrogen peroxide and apply to lesions at the first sign of tingling. This has been reported to block herpes outbreaks from advancing as well.
• DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) – topical application of DMSO to lesions at first sign of tingling has also been reported to block herpes outbreak from advancing
• Neem Oil – Neem oil is derived from an evergreen tree endemic to India. Neem oil is used for many purposes, including antiseptic use. Some herpes sufferers report good success by topically applying Neem Oil to lesions at the first sign of tingling. Some people also report good success with blocking a herpes outbreak by ingesting up to 10 Neem Leaf capsules (400 mg per capsule) at the first sign of tingling.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – using a cotton ball to dab apple cider vinegar on lesions at the first sign of tingling has also been reported to block herpes outbreaks from advancing
• Ear Wax – believe it or not, many people report that taking the wax from their ears and applying it to herpes lesions (lips or genitalia) at the first sign of tingling, blocks the herpes outbreak from advancing.

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