Aloe vera may also benefit those with genital herpes. A double-blind trial using a 0.5% Aloe vera cream found that applying the cream three times a day shortened the healing time of genital herpes outbreaks. All but 3 of 22 persons in the study who showed healing with the aloe cream had no recurrences 15 months after stopping treatment.²

A double-blind trial found that topical application of a cream containing a highly concentrated extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) four to five times a day helped heal oral and genital herpes sores faster than use of a placebo.³

Most research on lysine has been done on people with cold sores or on groups that include both cold sores and genital herpes sufferers. However, some evidence exists that supplemental lysine may be effective in the prevention and treatment of genital herpes. In one preliminary survey, 81% of people with HSV infections (including genital herpes) reported lysine was effective for reducing recurrences and shortening healing time in amounts averaging about 1,000 mg per day.⁴ A small double-blind trial of people with oral and genital herpes examined the effects of 1,248 mg or 624 mg of lysine daily versus placebo.⁵ The study found that 1,248 mg per day of lysine, but not the lower dose, was effective in reducing the recurrence rate of herpes outbreaks by 57% to 65%, while neither dose helped reduce the healing time. Another small double-blind trial found that using 3,000 mg per day of lysine in divided doses led to a decrease in severity of symptoms and a reduction in healing time of both oral and genital herpes.⁶ One preliminary report found no benefit of lysine for a group of patients with either oral or genital herpes.⁷

A test tube study found that flavonoids present in propolis are responsible for the supplement’s antiviral action.⁸ A controlled study found that an ointment containing propolis, used four times daily, was almost twice as effective as topical antiviral medication or a placebo ointment.⁹

In a test tube, zinc is capable of inactivating the type of herpes virus responsible for the majority of genital herpes cases.¹⁰ Topical zinc may therefore help prevent outbreaks of genital herpes. One preliminary study treated people (four of whom had genital herpes) with a 4% zinc sulfate solution applied to the site of the initial outbreak.¹¹ In all cases, the pain, burning, and tingling stopped within 24 hours of beginning the topical zinc therapy. The use of lower concentrations of zinc (0.025–0.05%) has also been shown effective against oral and genital herpes outbreaks.^12,13 While topical zinc has been shown to be helpful, there is no convincing evidence that oral zinc offers the same benefits.¹⁴

Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed.¹⁵

Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed.¹⁶

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains antiviral substances¹⁷ and ointments containing related substances are effective in treating herpes infections.^18,19 While the use of topical licorice preparations to prevent or treat genital herpes has not been studied, some alternative healthcare practitioners recommend applying creams or gels containing licorice three to four times a day.

Test tube and animal research suggests that substances found in turmeric, cloves, eucalyptus, and seaweed have potential benefit for topical prevention of genital herpes, but no human research using available herbal products has been performed.²¹