Recipe for Natural Cough Remedy

Juice one small carrot, one small apple, and one piece of ginger about the size of a thumb. Add four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and two drops of liquid cayenne pepper extract. Heat to no more than 110 degrees, remove from heat, and add 2 tablespoons of raw unrefined, unpasteurized, unfiltered honey and stir.

Do not cook the honey. Unpasteurized honey is anti-bacterial. Once it reaches 108 degrees, it becomes no better than regular refined sugar.

If no juicer is available, grate ginger and make into a tea. Do not use store bought apple juice or carrot juice;, they must be fresh.

Sipping this will relieve most coughs and help soothe a sore throat.

If the throat is raw and irritated, gargle with apple cider vinegar as often as possible. Do not, under any circumstances, eat ice cream, soda, yogurt, candy, or any other sugar or diary when sick, especially with a sore throat. Sugar (including agave nectar and high fructose corn syrup) and refined starches feed bacteria, virus, parasites, and Candida (yeast).  No matter how good ice cream feels on a sore throat, the price far outweighs the benefits, as one pint of it can add a day or two to the duration of the illness.

There are a lot of natural cough remedies out there that suggest using sugar or honey without specifying that the honey be raw and unrefined. Any such advice is garbage. Advice likes that soothes the throat while feeding infection. The goal is to sooth the throat while fighting infection.

Herbal Cough Suppressants

Oils from eucalyptus, peppermint, anise, and fennel help suppress a cough. They also increase the production of saliva which helps to clear the throat of irritating mucus. Most cough drops contain one or more of these herbs; unfortunately, most cough drops also contain sugar. Any of these herbs can be made into a tea and sipped for better results than conventional cough drops.

Slippery elm makes a natural cough remedy by forming a soothing layer around the irritated mucus membranes of the throat. Slippery elm teas and cough drops are available at most health food stores.

The two best herbal throat sprays that we know of are Micro-west Homeopathic Combination Throat Spray and Mediherb Herbal Throat Spray.

Other Natural Cough Suppressants and Sore Throat Remedies

Take a lemon and cut it in half. Add unrefined sea salt and black pepper powder to the pulp. Suck.

Make lemonade with fresh lemons, stevia (to taste) and cayenne pepper (to taste). Drink warm or cold. Great detoxifying aid, too.

If coughing is due to lung congestion, hot showers should be taken throughout the day allowing hot water to spray the chest.

The Best Natural Cough and Sore Throat Remedies

We saved the best few for last. But these two are also the most difficult. Organic raw garlic, and/or oil of oregano. With the garlic, take a big clove, and chew, swish the juice, get into the back of the throat. If you can stomach it, swallow it when you’ve chewed it as much as you can (it can be hard on an empty stomach). Or just spit it out. It stings the mouth, so you’ll want to rinse, but after the stinging sensation is gone, your throat will feel so much better! And you can do the same with oil of oregano. Or you can combine the two if you’re feeling brave.

And you can also take some time to try these recipes. With the total tonic you can gargle and swish with it before you swallow, and take as much as you want throughout the day to fend off a cold. The herbal snuff is hardcore! You snort it. You can also apply directly to the tonsils, but I recommend both. Let me apologize in advance, it’s not pleasant, but it works and works well.

Doc Shillington’s Total Tonic Recipe (or purchase here)

• 1 handful of garlic cloves
• 1 handful of chopped onions
• 1 handful of chopped ginger
• 1 handful of chopped horseradish
• 1/2 handful of chopped habanero peppers
• Raw apple cider vinegar

Throw in a blender and cover with an inch or two of organic raw apple cider vinegar. All ingredients should be organic, but don’t let that stop you from making this great formula (as long as the garlic is not from China). You can use the mash right away or wait two weeks and allow it to turn into a tincture.

Doc Shillington’s Herbal Snuff Recipe (or purchase here)

A part is a measurement by volume (cups, tbls, etc.)

• 7 parts goldenseal root powder
• 7 parts bayberry bark powder
• 1 part cayenne pepper powder
• 1 part garlic powder

All the above must be ground up very finely. It is best to use habanero cayenne as it is the hottest. Mix it very well as a clump of cayenne could keep your eyes in tears for an hour. It won’t hurt you, though.

Conclusion

Excellent nutrition feeds the immune system and will help anyone avoid the pain of tonsils overwhelmed with infection.Check out Bullet Proof Your Immune System, and be sure to balance your gut flora. A strong immune system is impossible with an excess of Candida. The strength of our immune system starts in the gut. And don’t forget, sinus infections are the number one cause of sore throats, so check out How To Use a Neti Pot For Sinus Infections.

Recommended Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics
• Shillington’s Echinacea Plus
• Shillington’s Blood Detox Formula
• Coptis chinensis
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Shillington’s Herbal Snuff

Further Reading:

• Avoid Tonsillectomies and Save Your Immune System
• Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with These Natural Remedies
• Natural Cough and Sore Throat Remedies

Heartburn and acid indigestion are very common, affecting more than half of all Americans at least once a month. Most people choose to ease their suffering with various over-the-counter antacids, the worst treatment for heartburn or acid indigestion.

If the body is producing too much stomach acid, the body is having trouble digesting food. Neutralizing or decreasing the stomach acid will cause the body to pass partially digested food through the digestive system where it will rot and feed parasites and yeast, causing long-term, serious health repercussions. A study in Holland showed that people using acid suppressing drugs were four times more likely to develop pneumonia when compared to people who did not use those drugs.1

Antacids are never good for your health (and the calcium antacids are a terrible source of calcium). There are easy, natural alternative treatments that work and work fast.

Common Causes of Heartburn

Chronic heartburn is a sign of poor health, which is a result of poor diet. When coffee, soda, dairy, fried foods, or refined foods like cereal or bread cause heartburn, your body is telling you to stop eating these foods. Obesity can cause heartburn by causing the stomach and/or the esophagus to be squeezed out of its proper position, a condition called hiatal hernia. Pregnancy can also cause displacement.

Smoking and overeating are also causal factors. Symptoms increase if you lie down immediately after a meal.

If you have chronic heartburn or acid indigestion, you need to change your lifestyle. Start with a healthy diet. Lose weight. Avoid trigger foods. Stop overeating. Stop smoking. Don’t lie down right after you eat. And don’t practice yoga handstands on a full tummy either!

When you do overindulge or eat trigger foods, try a natural cure that’s good for you.

The Fast and Easy Natural Cure for Acid Reflux

Apple cider vinegar is a healthy, fast, and easy natural remedy for heartburn. Take half a shot, about one ounce. If need be, you can dilute it 50/50 with water, but it works best straight. It will burn a bit going down, but within seconds, it will relieve your symptoms. And unlike antacids, apple cider vinegar is good for you.

Why Does Apple Cider Vinegar Cure Heartburn?

Though vinegar is acidic, apple cider vinegar is alkaline-forming. It is an alkaline-ash food, which means if burned it would leave ash with an alkaline pH. Though food is not “burned” within the body, alkaline-ash foods are generally alkaline forming.

The acid in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid, a weak acid. When it meets stomach acid (which is hydrochloric acid, a strong acid), the overall acidity of the stomach is reduced but not rendered too alkaline to digest most foods. And since the apple cider vinegar is alkaline forming, it has an overall alkalizing effect on the body, which most people need due to our modern, acid-forming diets.

Other Natural Acid Reflux Treatments

While apple cider vinegar is the fastest and best natural treatment for heartburn, there are other choices as well.

Aloe Vera and Coconut Water

Aloe Vera and coconut water are both natural acid neutralizers. Depending on the severity of the heartburn, coconut water or aloe vera can bring immediate, soothing relief. Drink as much as you need.

Acupressure Heartburn Treatment

Relief from heartburn may also be found by pressing on the acupressure point CV 12, which is found in the front, center of your body, halfway between the breast bone and the navel. If this does not work, try a higher point right below the sternum and then move lower as the pain subsides. While this usually does provide immediate relief, the effects are temporary.

Reflexology for Heartburn

Reflexology uses massage techniques on the hands and feet at various acupressure points to relieve symptoms. The reflexology point on the left hand is under the thumb close to the wrist up to the middle of the palm. On the right hand, it is a much smaller point in between the thumb and the wrist (see image).

Here is an image for hand reflexology and one for foot reflexology (click to see full size).

On the right foot, the stomach area is halfway down the foot, on the inside arch. On the left foot, the area is much larger, spanning nearly the whole width of the arch (see image).

Massage the areas slowly and gently (it doesn’t matter which you start with). Each point should be firmly messaged for approximately one minute followed by one minute of massaging the entire hand or foot. If you feel a crunchy sensation (as if there is gravel under the skin), the area needs more attention.

Herbal Heartburn Treatment

Ginger tea can immediately relieve heartburn or acid indigestion. Put one teaspoon of shredded fresh ginger into one cup of boiling water. Let the ginger steep for ten minutes, strain, allow it to cool, and then drink. This works very well, but obviously, when heartburn is burning a hole in your esophagus, time is of the essence and ten minutes can feel like ten hours. For that reason, planning ahead with ginger tea while preparing a meal likely to cause heartburn is a good idea.

Fenugreek seeds can relieve heartburn and acid indigestion by coating the lining of the stomach. One to two teaspoons in your food or eaten separately is enough to provide relief for many acid reflux sufferers.

Acid Indigestion

Heartburn is commonly called acid indigestion. But indigestion is the body’s inability to properly digest food. If antacids do not help or only temporarily relieve burning, then indigestion is more likely to be your problem. Indigestion is often caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid and/or a lack of pancreatic enzymes, which can also cause a burning sensation when acidic foods are digested, as well as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and food allergies.

We recommend Thorne Biogest for acid indigestion and for anyone who regularly consumes cooked meat. It takes a lot of stomach acid to breakdown cooked meat, and the more cooked it is, the more acid is needed. Take one capsule with a meal or as recommended by a health practitioner.

Conclusion

Chronic heartburn and any kind of indigestion is a serious health issue that should not be ignored. Suppressing the stomach’s ability to produce acid or neutralizing the stomach acid with over-the-counter antacids on a regular basis will also cause very serious health issues. As easy as antacids work (for some), chronic heartburn is not a small thing. Please do not ignore it. Take care of yourself.

Recommended Supplements:

• Abzorb Vitamin & Nutrient Optimizer – HCP Formulas
• GastroMycin – Allergy Research Group
• Shillington’s Body Balance+ (Apple Cider Vinegar and more)

Recommended Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Things You Should Know About Garlic – DIY, Recipes, Other Tips
• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Recipes included

Sources:

• Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia and the use of Gastric Acid-Suppressive Drugs Journal of the American Medical Association Journal Vol. 292, No. 16 10 /27/ 2004

ADHD is a diagnosis based on a combination of behaviors, mainly hyperactive behavior, an inability to focus attention, and poor impulse control. Food allergies, lack of sleep (or lack of quality sleep), and heavy metal toxicity are the primary causal factors.

ADHD is on the rise. One look at the diet of today’s children – processed food filled with high fructose corn syrup or sugar, artificial colors, preservatives, flavors and partially hydrogenated oils – and we wonder how they can function at all.

Today’s children are exhausted. Few get enough sleep, or good quality sleep, or enough exercise. They are injected with toxic vaccines. Add poor nutrition and their bodies are overtaxed, overstressed, and toxic.

Hyperactivity and an inability to focus or maintain impulse control is a result of a tired and malfunctioning brain. Drugs like Ritalin have a calming effect on ADHD sufferers because these drugs are stimulants. They stimulate an overtaxed, exhausted brain.

We are not saying ADHD is not real. On the contrary, we are saying ADHD, like cancer, diabetes, and most other diseases, is a symptom of an overtaxed and toxic body. And in today’s modern world of unhealthy food and electronic stimulation, getting enough quality sleep and nutrition in the formative years is becoming more and more difficult.

Artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and refined sugar should always be avoided. Up to 95% of children with ADHD are allergic to artificial colors, and all of the aforementioned ingredients take a toll on anyone’s health.

Related Reading:

• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Five Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Manage ADHD Naturally
• ADHD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Autism – What Do They Have In Common?

To repel fleas, keep your dog smelling like citrus and garlic. To make your own repellnt, put 3 cloves of garlic, the peels from 1 orange and 1 grapefruit, 1 tablespoon of rosemary and 1 pint of water into a blender. Blend until liquefied, and then heat the concoction at a simmer for 20 minutes. Allow it to cool and strain. Put the liquid in a spray bottle and spray your pets before they go outside. During flea season, add sulfur and garlic to your pet’s food for additional protection.

Fleas, like any parasite, are more attracted to sickly animals. Therefore, your best line of defense against flea infestation is a healthy diet.  A diet of raw meat with vegetables and cod liver oil (with DHA) is much healthier than any store bought food. Some companies sell raw ground meat for pets with various organ parts and bones mixed in. But if you buy prepackaged raw food for your pet, make sure the meat is produced the right way. For instance, if you’re buying beef, it should be from free range, grass fed, hormone free, antibiotic free cows.

Candida can easily take over the body and cause or contribute to almost every common health issue. A diet full of sugar and other refined foods feeds Candida. Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria that would normally keep Candida in check. Many people know they have a Candida problem, but have no idea how to properly treat it.

To naturally treat Candida, use a holistic approach that restores the body’s natural ecological balance with a healthy lifestyle that includes the right supplements and diet choices. For treating yeast infections topically, read Natural Cures for Yeast Infections, but follow both protocols. Forget yogurt. Yogurt is typically sweetened and the bacteria are usually weak or completely dead. In addition, most yogurts are full of artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, as well as stabilizers to make the yogurt thick. Mainstream yogurt is not only terribly unhealthy, it does not help fight yeast. In fact, conventional mainstream yogurt helps feed yeast!

FloraMend-Prime by Thorne, on the other hand, is the best way we know to get beneficial bacteria into the body. It’s strong enough to pass through the acidic stomach, which typically kills off bacteria. Just one capsule twice a day is enough to help restore beneficial bacteria to fight Candida and restore healthy microbial ecology.

The best source of 10-undecenoic acid that we know is made by Thorne and goes by the name of SF722. SF722 is a safe and effective supplement that helps to normalize microbial ecology in the gut. SF722 should be taken on an empty stomach. For most people, two to three gel caps a few times a day is plenty, but for serious Candida issues, 10 gel caps three times a day or more is called for. If possible, consult with a health practitioner familiar with Thorne products before taking, even though SF722 is a very safe supplement that should not cause any side effects, even when taken in fairly large quantities.

Dr. Shillington sells Intestinal Cleanse, which is a very powerful supplement for cleaning, healing, and strengthening the entire gastrointestinal system. This intestinal cleanse restores the colon to optimal health by stimulating the peristaltic action and strengthening the muscles of the large intestine. It also halts putrefaction, and disinfects, soothes, and heals the mucous membrane lining of the entire digestive tract. It kills Candida, all while promoting healthy intestinal flora. The result is improved digestion, relief of gas and cramps, and increased flow of bile (which, in turn, cleans the gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver). It even destroys and expels intestinal parasites and increases gastrointestinal circulation.

A natural Candida remedy should always include a healthy diet, which should consist primarily of raw fresh vegetables or cultured vegetables. Once the Candida is under control, fruits can be added to the diet. Avoid all refined and processed foods including sugar, high fructose corn syrup, bread, and white rice. Avoid alcohol which turns into sugar in the body.

Here is a summary of supplements we recommend that can knock out candida overgrowth very quickly:

Recommended Supplements:

• FloraMend-Prime by Thorne
• Shillington’s Intestinal Cleanse
• Formula SF722
• MicroDefense – Pure Encapsulations

Further Reading:

• The Fascinating Bacteria in our Gut, and How it Affects Our Whole Lives
  
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem
• After taking antibiotics, this is what you need to do to restore healthy intestinal flora
• Fermented Foods Optimize Your Health
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem

Migraines are a neurological syndrome that affects nearly 12% of the population regularly. Migrains are 3 times more common in women than men. One in four households in America has a member with migraine. Even children can get them. In most cases, the migraine headache affects one side of the head with pulsating pain that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Migraines are often so debilitating the sufferer is bedridden with nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Drugs that reduce the severity or eliminate migraines have serious potential side effects. Some natural remedies for migraines have a better success rate, without the health risks. As with any other health issue, when someone suffers from a migraine the body is saying that something is wrong. Anyone who regularly suffers from migraines is not healthy.

Causes or Triggers of Migraines

Fluorescent light bulbs, coffee, dehydration, sugar, smoking, MSG, prescription drugs including blood pressure medication and oral contraceptives, lack of sunlight (vitamin D), molds, artificial food additives (preservatives and colorings), mineral imbalances, food allergies, vitamin B deficiencies, and alcohol abuse can all trigger migraines. Typically, migraines are caused by multiple “triggers” and obviously, every one of these should be addressed to eliminate migraines (or to live a healthier lifestyle). Foods high in tyramine such as aged cheeses, nuts, soy, chocolate, processed meats, wheat, and many processed foods can trigger migraines as well. Hypoglycemia may also cause migraines. There are many natural migraine remedies  including herbs, supplements, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology to name a few.

Aromatherapy – Essential oils for Migraines

Peppermint, sandalwood, basil, lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils can be used to treat migraines. Lavender and peppermint are the most highly recommended. One way to treat a migraine is to put 5 to 10 drops of lavender  or peppermint essential oil in a cup of warm water, soak a wash cloth in the water, wring it out, and apply it to the head or the back of the neck. Another method is to dilute a few drops of lavender or peppermint oil into a carrier oil (almond oil is a good choice) and massage it into the head at the back of the neck, the temples, and the forehead.

Deep Breathing and Relaxation

It makes sense to accompany all of the natural migraine remedies  with deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Learning how to breathe is an important and all too uncommon skill that should be acquired by everyone. Infants breathe right, but for some reason (perhaps stress), adults breathe in a very shallow manner. Learning how to breathe properly is a bit strange at first, but will quickly become second nature, as it should be. To learn how to breathe correctly, see our How to Breathe article in this issue.

Herbal Remedies for Migraines – Feverfew and Ginger

Feverfew is an herb that is used to naturally treat migraines. Feverfew is effective at preventing migraines, not stopping them once they have started. Eat three to four leaves every day. The herb is bitter but mixing it with food is fine.  Parthenolide, the plant’s active ingredient, inhibits the chemicals in the brain that cause the blood vessels to dilate.

Ginger is nothing short of miraculous when it comes to stopping a migraine in its tracks. Take ginger (fresh juice is best) at the first sign of an impending attack (during an aura or if you don’t get auras, at the sign of pain).

You can juice fresh ginger root and drink it as a shot or add it to fruit juice (carrot and apple combined is good with ginger). You can also take ginger in a variety of forms–but fresh ginger root is likely to be the most bio-available form.

Ginger helps with nausea as well if the migraine is already in progress.

Self-Help Technique

In Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide, Dr. Ravins recommends the following technique:

Put your thumb in your mouth on the side of the migraine pain; reach up with it and find the cheekbone, then press that bone up and out. Then do the same with the other side. Finally, place both thumbs inside on the upper palate and press the sides out. It may take several repetitions before the pain subsides.”

Hot and Cold Hydrotherapy

Contrast showers can sometimes alleviate migraine pain. Hot & Cold Hydrotherapy may alleviate an oncoming migraine, but it is most likely to work as a preemptive measure.

Juicing

Celery juice is rich in coumarins, substances that have a soothing effect on the vascular system of the brain. Eight ounces of celery juice works best as a preventative. You many drink it straight or mixed with other juices. It can also soothe a migraine, but is generally slow to do so. Ginger juice can stop a migraine right in its tracks. Try juicing fresh ginger root , apples, and carrots together. Make sure the ginger is as strong as the palate can handle. This remedy is best when used within the first few minutes of the onset of a migraine. It doesn’t take a genius to see that combining celery and ginger juice together could be a pretty potent remedy. We at OLM have never tried this method, so if any of our readers try it, please let us know how it works.

Chiropractic and Acupressure

Massage the acupressure points, Gallbladder 20, which are located on each side of the back of the neck, two inches out from the middle, just underneath the base of the skull. Massaging these points can relieve migraine and tension headache pain. It’s not easy to properly message these points yourself, but it is possible. When the neck is out of alignment, headaches are common. A chiropractic adjustment typically provides immediate relief. Unfortunately, the relief may be temporary as the neck can quickly go back out of alignment for the same reason it went out in the first place. A common cause of misalignment in this area is the use of stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine. These stimulants strain both the Hypothalamus and the Cerebellum, which swell and cause misalignment of the neck. When the neck is out of alignment, nerves become pinched and energy becomes inhibited, which can lead to migraines. Not chewing food well enough and/or not digesting meat properly, thereby putting a strain on the gallbladder, can also cause the upper area of the neck to inflame and go out of alignment.

Reflexology to Treat Migraines

Reflexology uses massage techniques on the hands and feet at various acupressure points to relieve symptoms. Before attempting reflexology for migraines, it helps to soak the hands and feet for a few minutes. Relaxation is also important. A bath will help to do both. Since there are so many possible causes for migraines (and typically multiple causes at one time) it’s important to do a complete and thorough reflexology massage, not just the “head” acupressure points (for head/brain accupressure points, see image to the right). Pay close attention while rubbing to feel if there is a “crunchy” sensation (as if there is gravel under the skin). Massage until the gravelly sensation is gone. The head pressure points in the feet are on every toe, from the last knuckle to the end. The same is true for the hands, though it starts slightly past the last knuckle. Here is a great interactive chart for hand reflexology and for foot reflexology.

The Best and Fastest Cure for Migrains

Snort cayenne pepper. If you think this sounds too painful, you probably don’t know the pain of migraines. But this will work very, very quickly. It works!

Conclusion

Besides a chiropractic adjustment (which works only if the source of the problem is misalignment and may in and of itself be a temporary fix), there are no natural quick fixes once the migraine has fully set in except for cayenne pepper. Natural migraine remedies work much more effectively when used preemptively. Fortunately, there are aura warning signs for most migraines. Stopping a migraine before it starts is better than trying to treat the migraine once the pain has set in. And better still, the herb feverfew, taken every day, is an excellent preventive treatment. But the best way to deal with migraines is to adopt a healthier lifestyle by eating mostly raw fresh fruits and vegetables (more of the latter), avoiding processed foods at all costs, and eliminating as many toxins as possible. Also check out How to Cure Migraines For Good.

Recommended Supplements:

• Shillington’s Nerve Sedative
• Cayenne Pepper Liquid Extract
• Shillington’s Pain & Headache Formula
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Formula SF722 – THorne Research
• FloraMend – Thorne Research
• Shillington’s Body Balance

Further Reading:

• How to Cure Migraines For Good
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem
• Hot and Cold Hydrotherapy
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Budwig Cancer Cure
• How to Detoxify from Vaccinations
• How to Breathe

Sources:

• 10 Key Questions About Migraines – Everyday Health
• About Migraine – American Migraine Foundation 

Cold sores (also called fever blisters) are caused by outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus type 1. These small blisters usually form on the edge of the lips but can also form on the roof of the mouth, in the nose, on the face, or the chin. For immediate pain relief press an ice cube or a wet tea bag on the area. Spicy and high citrus foods can cause irritation and increased pain.

Alternative Treatments for Cold Sores

Lysine

Lysine is a natural remedy for cold sores that can be taken internally or used in a cream to be applied topically.  If taken internally, begin with 4 grams daily for the first four days followed by 500 mg three times a day for two weeks. Take lysine on an empty stomach. Lysine is an essential amino acid that inhibits the virus. Arginine is an amino acid that induces the growth of herpes simplex. Avoid foods with a higher ratio of arginine than lysine during an outbreak such as chocolate, cereal grains, nuts, seeds, and peanuts.

Licorice

Licorice is a natural remedy that can be eaten and/or licorice powder can be put directly on the lesions.

Vitamins

Vitamins A, C, and E, all known to aid in fighting viral infections, are believed to help with herpes outbreaks along with B complex, and zinc. Topical treatment with vitamin E oil is also a suggested natural remedy.

Herbs

A highly recommended natural remedy is a cream, Herpilyn, which contains allantoin from the comfrey plant and lemon balm. Herpilyn, which can be found in many health food stores and online, can be used at the first sign of infection, when itching or tingling is the only symptom.

Probiotics

Multiple studies over the years have shown 4 lactobacillus  acidophilus- bulgaricus tablets taken with milk 4 times a day result in dramatic improvement.  Today excellent probiotics such as Bio-K offer a non-dairy alternative.