Vinegar and Herpes

Many people search the Internet looking for a variety of natural alternatives to medical care or pharmaceutical drugs for health conditions.

People may think that they do not want to spend the money and time to see a doctor for a simple thing like cold sores (herpes simplex virus- 1). Instead, they may try home remedies, such as apple cider vinegar for herpes.

Other people may feel somewhat embarrassed by conditions such as genital herpes (herpes simplex virus- 2). People with genital herpes may try treat herpes with apple cider vinegar or other inexpensive, natural options before seeking a physician’s advice.

What is the difference between HSV- 1 and HSV- 2?

Herpes simplex virus- 1 (HSV- 1) is known as oral herpes, cold sores, and fever blisters. Up to 90% of people have experienced oral herpes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The oral herpes virus is spread by kissing, sharing water bottles, toothbrushes, drinking straws, and other personal items.

Herpes simplex virus- 2 is known as genital herpes. This is a sexually- transmitted disease, affecting as many as one in four sexually active teens and adults. The only way to get genital herpes is by direct skin-to-skin sexual contact with a partner who has herpes.

Genital herpes begins as a rash or small red blisters in the genital area. The blisters burst, ooze, and scab over. There are multiple outbreaks the first year, but lessen over time.

There is no cure for either form of herpes. The virus remains in the body forever.

Does apple cider vinegar help herpes?

There is not one scientific or clinical study published in medical journals or elsewhere to support the claim that apple cider vinegar helps herpes.

This does not automatically mean that apple cider vinegar is worthless. It means that anyone claiming that apple cider vinegar does work for herpes is using hyperbole.

Even some of the greatest natural healers and master herbalists of the twentieth century did not mention apple cider vinegar for herpes.

Master Herbalist Dr. John R. Christopher listed twenty- three entries on using a variety of herbs for the herpes simplex virus, but never apple cider vinegar.

The problem with personal anecdotes is that multiple participants were not used. There was not a control group to determine if the cold sores would have healed at the same rate if apple cider vinegar was replaced with something else or not used at all.

There was no comparison to the results seen clinically with acyclovir or other pharmaceutical drugs for herpes. There was no consideration of the placebo factor.

Anecdotal evidence suggests apple cider vinegar for herpes

Without clinical evidence, health professionals cannot state that apple cider vinegar works for herpes. However, vinegar may speed up the healing process in some individuals.

Natural health forums do provide anecdotal evidence supporting the use of apple cider vinegar for herpes.

Dabbing a cotton ball with straight high quality apple cider vinegar and applying it to cold sores (oral herpes outbreaks) as often as possible for two days seems to speed up the healing process, according to health forum posters.

Some reports state that the vinegar stings, but dries the blisters quickly.