Herpes / Cold Sores
Gabriel focuses on preventing outbreaks by supporting immune function and creating unfavorable environment for virus: 1) Lysine supplementation (antagonizes arginine—virus needs arginine), 2) Avoid high-arginine foods, 3) Immune optimization, 4) Identify and avoid personal triggers, 5) Antiviral herbs, 6) Topical treatments for active outbreak, 7) Stress management (key trigger).
5 identified
11 recommended
7 to test
4 modalities
Gabriel's Approach
Gabriel focuses on preventing outbreaks by supporting immune function and creating unfavorable environment for virus: 1) Lysine supplementation (antagonizes arginine—virus needs arginine), 2) Avoid high-arginine foods, 3) Immune optimization, 4) Identify and avoid personal triggers, 5) Antiviral herbs, 6) Topical treatments for active outbreak, 7) Stress management (key trigger). Herpes not 'curable' but outbreaks preventable/minimizable for most.
Root Causes
Why Conventional Fails
Antiviral medications: Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacyclovir (Valtrex), Famciclovir (Famvir); Topical acyclovir cream; Suppressive therapy (daily antivirals if frequent outbreaks); Pain management (topical lidocaine).
Antivirals are effective (appropriate for severe/frequent outbreaks) but: don't cure herpes (virus remains dormant), side effects with chronic use (kidney stress, headaches), expensive for suppressive therapy, doesn't address immune optimization or trigger avoidance, doesn't emphasize lysine:arginine balance (diet matters), topical acyclovir only modestly effective, many patients can prevent outbreaks naturally without chronic antivirals through immune support and lysine.
Your Complete Protocol
A comprehensive, tiered approach combining supplements, herbs, and advanced therapies
Your Protocol for Herpes / Cold Sores
Choose the level that's right for your healing journey
Essential Protocol
What's Included
- L-Lysine 1000-3000mg/day prevention, 3000-6000mg during outbreak (CRITICAL)
- Monolaurin 1-3g/day (antiviral)
- Lemon Balm extract 500mg 3x/day or topical cream
- Zinc 30-50mg
- L-Lysine — Inhibits herpes virus replication and reduces outbreaks
- Lemon Balm (Xiang Feng Cao) — Antiviral herb that reduces herpes outbreaks
Available through Fullscript
Practitioner-Grade Protocol
Practitioner-Grade — Not Available on Amazon
What's Included
- Standard Process whole food protocol
- Gentiana Drain the Liver (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang) — Clears liver fire that triggers herpes outbreaks
- Coptis Decoction to Resolve Toxicity (Huang Lian Jie Du Tang) — Clears heat toxin during active herpes outbreaks
Whole food supplements by Standard Process
Complete Protocol
What's Included
- All Practitioner-Grade supplements & herbs
- BPC-157 (tissue repair + gut healing)
- Thymosin Alpha-1 (immune modulation)
Standard Process + Matter peptides
Recommended Supplements
Key Lab Markers
Dietary Guidance
High-lysine, low-arginine diet: High lysine foods: fish, chicken, beef, lamb, dairy (if tolerated), eggs, beans, spirulina; Avoid high-arginine foods: nuts (especially peanuts, almonds), seeds (pumpkin, sesame), chocolate, coconut, oats, wheat germ, gelatin; Moderate: whole grains; Increase: lysine-rich foods, garlic (antiviral), foods rich in zinc and vitamin C; Avoid: excess sugar, alcohol, processed foods.
Lifestyle Factors
Stress management CRITICAL (stress major trigger—meditation, therapy, adequate sleep), adequate sleep (7-9 hours), sun protection (use lip balm with SPF—sun triggers oral herpes), avoid triggers: illness, trauma to area, excessive sun, identify personal triggers (food, stress, menstruation), boost immune during illness, avoid skin-to-skin contact during active outbreak (contagious), antiviral medication (valacyclovir) for severe cases or suppressive therapy—appropriate.
Recommended Treatments
Mind, Body & Spirit
Evidence-based practices that complement physical treatment protocols
Mind
Stress Management for HSV
strongMeditation and stress reduction to prevent stress-triggered outbreaks.
Immune Visualization
moderateGuided imagery of immune system keeping virus in dormant state.
Body
Spirit
Emotional Support
moderateAddressing stigma, shame, and emotional impact of HSV diagnosis.
Self-Compassion Practice
moderateCultivating self-acceptance and reducing shame around HSV.
Recommended Herbs
Curated for Herpes / Cold Sores
Supplements + Chinese herbal medicine
Standard Process + classical TCM
Standard Process + advanced peptide therapy
Find a Practitioner
Connect with specialists who treat Herpes / Cold Sores using root-cause approaches.
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