Herpes is a viral disease, chronic, benign and not very disabling. However, it affects a lot of people because it is extremely contagious.

Herpes, a disease in constant increase

In France, 10 million people are infected with the herpes virus. These figures are constantly increasing as the number of French people with genital herpes has risen by 50% over the last ten years.

Massive vaccination, the abusive use of antibiotics and our stressful lifestyle are various factors responsible for the weakening and progressive imbalance of our immune system, which may explain the significant development of certain infectious diseases.

Herpetic disease manifests itself in two forms

• The herpes labialisalso known as herpes simplex 1 or the classic "cold sore." it is located on the face, most often on the lips, but sometimes also on the nose, chin, cheeks or eyes. Person-to-person transmission occurs through direct contact such as kissing or touching. By touching, the person himself can contaminate other parts of his own body.
• The genital herpes also known as herpes simplex 2 which affects the sexual parts and surrounding areas (anus, buttocks, thighs). Infection occurs during sexual intercourse, with or without penetration, with a person who has genital herpes lesions or who is simply a carrier of the virus without apparent symptoms.

The risk of contagion is greater during outbreaks. However, transmission of the virus is possible outside of these symptomatic periods, as the virus present in herpes lesions can also be present in saliva, nasal or genital secretions and even in tears.

Herpes, a disease that continually recurs

After the first infection, the virus multiplies and takes refuge in the lymph nodes from where it emerges more or less regularly to reappear in the event of an attack where it was contracted. These are herpes outbreaks that vary in frequency and intensity from person to person. This condition is usually very painful and highly contagious. Recurrences are frequent and occur at the slightest drop in the body's resistance, mainly in cases of stress, fatigue, during menstruation, an emotional shock or fever.
Classically, the outbreak of herpes is preceded by premonitory signs such as pain, tingling, burning sensation.

After a few hours, one or more clear vesicles appear between the dermis and the epidermis, which eventually dry out and leave scabs. A crisis lasts about seven days.

Balance between two amino acids

It was discovered in the 1950's that amino acids in food can either inhibit or promote herpes outbreaks. When a cell culture is performed and the virus is brought into contact with an amino acid called arginine, the herpes virus proliferates very rapidly; whereas in the vicinity of lysine, it stops multiplying and spreading. Clearly, a diet low in arginine and high in lysine should help inhibit the virus.

Foods to avoid or eat in moderation

• Almonds
• Brazil nuts
• Cachous
• Hazelnuts
• Peanuts
• Pecans
• Walnut
• Chocolate
• Gelatin
• Coconut
• Barley
• Corn
• Oats
• Wheat (bran, germ, gluten)
• Pasta
• Brussels sprouts

Foods rich in lysine to eat regularly

Ranked in descending order of lysine content.

• Fish
• Chicken
• Beef
• Milk
• Sheep
• Pork
• Cheese
• Bean
• Yeast
• Soybeans

Shingles or herpes zoster

Shingles is a viral disease (herpes zoster) that most often occurs in the chest and causes very painful neuralgia ("belt of fire").

There are natural remedies such as a combination of lavender, geranium, rosemary, eucalyptus, sage, thyme, cypress, basil and neroli essential oils.