The Healing Properties and History of Tea
I was diagnosed with herpes many years ago, and as a doctor and woman with herpes, I have learned how to manage and treat herpes all naturally. Tea is at the top of the list for an effective home remedy for herpes. Not just any tea will do. After a brief background on tea, you will discover some great ideas for healing herpes lesions using tea. Did you know that tea is the number one beverage consumed globally?
Tea was first consumed in China around 1500-1046 BC, when a Chinese Emperor was sipping hot water and some tea leaves blew into the water. The emperor was pleasantly surprised by the taste and later he discovered its medicinal properties. I have always been intrigued by the medicinal properties of tea and other all natural substances. Not only does our body know how to better assimilate natural remedies, but one doesn’t have to be as concerned about the side effects.
Since coffee is very high in arginine, an amino acid that is a known trigger for herpes, I have always encouraged people with herpes to switch to herbal tea. The lower caffeine content of tea is preferable to coffee for creating a more conducive environment for healing. Caffeine is very hard on the adrenal glands, which are our glands that respond to stress. Most Americans are stressed out enough and adding caffeine to their bodies places their immune system in a state of overwhelm. Stress depresses one’s immunity and also increases one’s risk for frequent herpes outbreaks.
The active ingredient in tea, specifically Black Tea, is tannins. This is what gives tea its bitterness and its effectiveness for inhibiting the herpes virus. During your next outbreak, follow these easy steps. (Do NOT drink the black tea, for the caffeine content is too high. Instead, choose an herbal tea.)
1. Steep an organic black tea back in water for an hour
2. Allow the tea bag to cool
3. Place warm (not hot) tea bag on herpes lesion for several minutes
4. Pat dry and apply a topical salve or solution that is known to inhibit the virus and heal the lesion
5. Do this several times a day. You can also break the tea bag to expose your sores directly to the tea leaves
6. Dispose of the tea bag once it is used
Sipping Herbal Blends- Please check with your doctor first
There are several herbal teas known to boost immunity, support the liver, and calm the nervous system, all of which help to decrease the severity and intensity of a herpes outbreak. A herpes outbreak suggests a depressed immune system and a stressed out nervous system. What stresses the immune system? Everyday life, lack of sleep and a poor diet. Sip these supportive teas as a preventative and during outbreaks.
- Valerian root– has calming properties to de-stress the nervous system
- Lemon balm, Pau D’arco Dandelion, Licorice root, Goldenseal and Echinacea– antiviral properties to inhibit the herpes virus and boost immunity
- Burdock root– supports the detoxification of the liver
To prepare the herbs: Take 4-6 Tbs. in 1 quart of cold filtered water. Cover pot and bring it to a boil. Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Remove from heat for 20 minutes or more. Strain and drink 3-4 cups per day.
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
Wonderful article.
Thank you.
Your welcome!
Thanks for the tip–this is good to know. I am reading your book, Live, Love, and Thrive with Herpes and it is fantastic–thank you!!! It is really helping me deal with this diagnosis. I am on suppressive therapy with Valtrex right now but I will discuss with my doctor discontinuing using it and going the natural route instead. I can’t wait for the forum to be launched and be able to connect and share support with other women. Have a wonderful day Dr. Kelly! You are a life-safer! 🙂
I am so excited that we finally have our forum for Women Supporting Women With Herpes. I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
It’s horrible at any age, especially as a senior. After my husband died I met a man. We had a 4 yr relationship, then breast cancer. It was too much for him to deal with and it ended the relationship. Then, the herpes appeared. Now I have all this to face alone with the shame that I allowed this into my life. I can’t share this with my senior lady friends.
Tommye,
I don’t want you to ever feel like you are all alone. We women here at Pink Tent are here to support you in your journey with herpes. I am so sorry to hear that your partner could not handle these things in your life. I hope that by now, with a little perspective, you realize that maybe he just wasn’t the right man for you. You have nothing to be shameful of! I encourage you to share your story with the women of Pink Tent. We are here to support you and the more you are able to open up to us, the more we can nourish you and uphold you in pure love and acceptance.
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
I was diagnosed with genital herpes almost 20 years ago. I got infected by my then husband. Initially I was put on a suppressive therapy (Zovirax, Valtrex) but my body didn’t react favorably to the treatment. So I started to explore other possibilities and I did read up on herpes virus great deal. Through trial and error I have found out what works best for me: change of diet (I was battling anorexia nervosa for 8 years and my immune system was as good as none). I switched to foods high in L-Lysine and start taking L-Lysine supplements as well. Also Echinacea and Valerian Root due to the fact that I’m an insomniac and I tend to get stressed out easily. I also incorporated regular work out routine into my schedule. For me it’s ballroom dancing, tennis and swimming. My longest period without outbreak was 12 years. I found out that certain essential oils are very helpful to be used on outbreak and also massaged into the base of your spine where, supposedly the virus lays dormant. My take on this entire thing is that we shouldn’t be ashamed, we did not ask for it but we got it and we have to deal with it the best we can and there ARE ways. Don’t stress!!! Sleep!!! Eat healthy!!! Move!!!! Enjoy life!!! Remember…you are not alone in this. LOVE YOURSELF, CARE ABOUT YOURSELF so you can love and care about others. Bit of humor helps too!
Thank you so much for sharing! I am thrilled to hear that you have figured out that lysine, dietary changes and some essential oils are helpful for your herpes treatment.
Thank you for your antidotes to living…especially the humor!
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
Dr Kelly,
I just want to say thank you for the book. I am noticing that stress is a major trigger for me and stress around certain people! I am continuing to heal and build my immune system, which I didn’t realize was in a depressed state due to years of chronic stress and PTSD. The one thing you said in your book was that if you could bottle self love and sell it … Yep. I’ve noticed that self love is the best thing that keeps outbreaks at bay. Thank you for the tea remedy above. Thank you for all the help. I realized I have some pretty strong self destructive habits but slowly and surely I’m more and more self love everyday – eating well, affirmations. On the days it’s hardest to stick to being kind, I’ve started practicing “I am doing this because I love myself”. It’s all one day at a time..
Thank you so much for sharing. You truly brightened my day! It brings me great joy to know that this information is getting in the hands of people who are actually committed to personal growth and optimal health. Congratulations on you exploration of self love. It’s the greatest gift you could ever give to yourself and the world.
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
Anybody have any natural solutions for breakouts cause by menstration? Ive had the virus for about 6 months now and literally get an outbreak right before my period every month =(
As you can imagine, a woman’s menstrual cycle is a trigger for many women with genital herpes. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to focus on building up your immune system and keeping your triggers to a minimum.
There are several recommendations I have in my book and online course to help to rebuild your immunity and decrease the stresses in your life; however, one simple thing that should not be missed is the use of Omega 3 oils. These oils help to decrease the overall inflammation in the body. Omega 3 oils are found in fish oils, flax seeds and many other nuts. Since nuts are high in arginine (a known trigger for herpes), I recommend supplementing your diet with fish oils. 3000mg-5000mg per day are ideal and some women might need more if they are also suffering from depression or other ailments that Omega 3 oils are known to help. Do not take your Omega’s all at once or on an empty stomach.
If you are on any blood thinners or other medications, be sure to check with your doctor before implementing any of these suggestions.
Live. Love. Thrive.
Dr. Kelly
I have been having ob for over 10 years. I am post menopausal but the ob comes regularly, like like a period. It’s on the small of my back. I recently had a horrific car accident and I am so stressed out I have 5 lesions in less than two weeks, I gave canceled my physical therapy sessions because they will gross out the therapist. I start following the lysinr/arginine food advice and started 2000 mg lysine daily but another one just popped up last week. I am at wits end. HELP!!!!
My outbreaks won’t go away . I took medication and I did hiv and aids test they were negative. I don’t know what’s wrong. Do you think it’s that I am spreading it by rubbing the iotment to another area that is not affected when I touch the part that is
Do you also think that because my I mine system is weak that it won’t go away ?
I.also see where my menstrual cycle just finish and more outbreaks have occurred.