Herpes (18)
The Chinese herb Lian Fang, AKA Lotus peduncle, found to suppress the herpes virus possibly better than Acyclovir.
Whenever I post research on this site, I always try, when I remember, to write a bit about the study so that others can make sense of it. This recent study I came across probably needs that. (link to abstract here)
Herpes simplex virus type 1 propagation in HeLa cells interrupted by Nelumbo nucifera
Inhibitory effects of ethanolic extracts from 10 Chinese herbs on
herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication were investigated. By a
bioassay-guided fractionation procedure, NN-B-5 was identified from
seeds of N. nucifera. NN-B-5 significantly blocked HSV-1 multiplication
in HeLa cells without apparent cytotoxicity. To elucidate the point in
Herpes virus seen as a cause of infertility.... Yay for Chinese herbal treatment to help control this problem!
Two research studies that I just posted give clues to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) as being a cause of infertility for both men and women. In Women the Herpes virus was leading to increased inflammation in both the cervix and the uterine lining. When these organs are inflamed and agitated, conception and implantation become very difficult. For men the Herpes virus seemed to lead to decreased sperm counts and motility (how strong of a swimmer they are).
Detection of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus in the semen of men attending an infertility clinic
CONCLUSION(S): Herpes simplex virus seems to play a significant role in
male infertility, and its early detection by the nested polymerase
chain reaction technique will permit successful antiviral therapy to
increase the possibility for fertility restoration and long-term
protection of the sperm quality. Finally, the detection of herpes
Chinese herbal treatment for chronic severe herpes simplex
This last week I had the fortune to check in on a patient, whom I hadn't seen for a month and half, and learn about his experiences with how Chinese herbal medicine had helped him. This patient had a very severe form of herpes simplex in his mouth and nose, where by the lesions were constantly bubbling up 24 hours a day! His dermatologist told him he had "won the lottery" in regards to developing such a rare form of the disease. His western treatment involved the use of a strong anti-viral drug called Acyclovir, which seemed to help the condition from breaking out too severely, although he still would have the constant bubbling and occasional daily ulcerations leading to bleeding. Obviously this patient was in a lot of discomfort and agony.
