| Once you have contracted the herpes virus, it will | | | | certainly not in the minority. |
| stay in your body for the duration of your life. There | | | | The herpes virus only re-activates itself when it is |
| is no cure, no magic potion that will kill it or remove it | | | | triggered. Common triggers include stress, poor diet, |
| from your body. DMSO, hydrogen peroxide, and | | | | unprotected sex with someone else who has herpes, |
| nonoxynol 9...not a single one of these is going to | | | | sun exposure, Candida yeast infections, too little |
| provide a quick fix. What you have to understand | | | | sleep, etc. Once you learn what triggers your herpes, |
| about this virus is that there is no need for it to be | | | | you can learn to avoid these activities. Herpes can |
| active. Knowing that a virus in your body would | | | | stay dormant indefinitely, so why put yourself |
| prefer to stay dormant, wouldn't you rather do | | | | through unnecessary discomfort? |
| everything in your power to make sure it stays that | | | | As for your diet, the following foods should be |
| way? | | | | avoided: caffeine in all forms, nuts except hemp and |
| The first step in a herpes treatment is forgiveness. | | | | flax seeds, raisins, carob, gelatin, and cereal grains. |
| This means that not only forgive the person from | | | | Ultimately a diet low in sugar with only moderate |
| whom you contracted the virus, but you forgive | | | | amounts of whole grain foods. Foods that you should |
| yourself as well. If you remain stuck in a place of | | | | seek to include are: avocados and olives, foods rich in |
| anger, resentment, fear, or shame, you are | | | | omega fatty acids (hemp and flax seeds included), |
| compromising your ability to heal. Know, deep within | | | | organic yogurt, brewers yeast, or selenium |
| yourself, that having herpes does not make you any | | | | supplements. Avoid L-lysine in supplements as |
| less attractive, any less ethical, or any less worthy of | | | | research has shown that its long-term use can |
| a person than you were before. | | | | actually inhibit the immune system. Getting L-lysine |
| Once you are at peace with your condition, it's time | | | | from food is a much safer alternative. |
| to step out of the closet. This doesn't mean that | | | | Getting exercise is recommended for health across |
| you need to tell everyone you meet, but it certainly | | | | the board. Whether you play racquetball, squash, or |
| make sense to share this information with your close | | | | punch a punching bag, relieving stress is certainly a |
| friends and family. After all, these people are your | | | | way to prevent re-activation. Activities such as yoga, |
| support system. The stigma of herpes is one that is | | | | tai-chi, and qi-gong can relieve stress and provide you |
| usually self-imposed. If you broach the subject just | | | | with the tools to maintain balance in your life. The |
| as you would with any other disease, the reaction | | | | more peace and balance you have in your life, the |
| you receive will mimic this. Being at peace means that | | | | less likely it is that your herpes will be a major factor |
| you can bring this energy to others around you. Over | | | | in your everyday reality. You can use the tools of |
| 50% of the adult population has either herpes 1 or 2 | | | | prayer, meditation, or visualization to make peace |
| (often known as simplex A or B), so you are | | | | with the virus. |