Síndrome de Fibromialgia

Topical 0.5% aloe vera extract cream showed significantly improved healing of first-episode genital herpes (HSV-2) lesions in two small placebo-controlled studies in men. In vitro, aloe vera extract reduced HSV-2 cytopathic effects in Vero cells. Evidence is preliminary and primarily applicable to topical use for genital herpes in men.

Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (APS) significantly reduced clinical disease scores and enhanced CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells in HSV-1-infected mice. APS is immunostimulatory via NK-cell, macrophage, and IFN-γ pathways relevant to HSV latency control. Astragalus is listed as a proposed natural treatment for herpes in EBSCO and peer-reviewed complementary medicine references.

Multiple in vitro studies have demonstrated that Uncaria tomentosa extracts exhibit antiherpetic activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). A 2014 PubMed-indexed study evaluated in vitro antiherpetic and antimutagenic activities. The mechanism involves polyphenols and oxindole alkaloids acting via virucidal and attachment-inhibition mechanisms.

Standardized Echinacea purpurea preparations have demonstrated in vitro anti-HSV-1 and HSV-2 activity, including against acyclovir-resistant strains. Echinacea polysaccharides reduced HSV-1 latency rates in mouse models. It is listed as a proposed natural treatment for herpes in multiple peer-reviewed clinical reference databases.

E. purpurea specifically has been tested against acyclovir-susceptible and acyclovir-resistant HSV strains in vitro, showing significant antiviral activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations. A polysaccharide fraction reduced HSV-1 latency in mice. Cichoric acid and alkylamides are the primary active anti-HSV constituents.

EGCG, the major catechin in green tea, reduces HSV-1 titers by 3,000-fold and HSV-2 by 10,000-fold in vitro by binding viral glycoproteins B and D to block cell entry. EGCG-stearate topical preparation reduced inflammation in two recurrent HSV-1 patients. It is active at vaginal pH, suggesting potential as a topical microbicide against HSV-2.

A 6-month single-blind controlled study of 93 patients with recurrent genital herpes found Siberian ginseng (Eleuthero/Eleutherococcus senticosus) significantly reduced outbreak frequency, severity, and duration. It is listed among proposed natural treatments for herpes in ADAM Health Library and PeaceHealth clinical databases.

Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), the principal triterpenoid saponin of licorice root, inhibits HSV-1 and multiple herpesviruses via direct virucidal action and induction of Beclin-1 autophagy. Animal studies show ~2.5-fold improved survival in HSV encephalitis. Glycyrrhizin-based medicines are used clinically in Japan against herpesviruses and hepatitis.

H. italicum flavonoids and phloroglucinols (notably arzanol) inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vitro. A diethyl ether extract from flowering tops showed significant anti-HSV-1 activity across a range of concentrations. This is supported by multiple in vitro studies.

L-lysine competitively inhibits arginine, an amino acid required for HSV capsid assembly. Multiple controlled trials and a 2017 PMC systematic review found doses exceeding 1 g/day reduce HSV recurrence frequency and outbreak severity. Evidence is mixed at sub-1 g/day doses but consistently positive at 1.2–3 g/day for prophylaxis.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extracts are directly virucidal against HSV-1 and HSV-2, reducing in vitro plaque formation by up to 98.8%. Double-blind RCTs of topical 1% standardized cream showed significantly shortened healing time for herpes labialis. The German Commission E approves lemon balm for external use on herpes cold sores.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, both with documented anti-HSV-1 and HSV-2 activity in vitro and in animal models. Aqueous G. glabra extract significantly reduced HSV-1 viral load in Vero cells in a time-dependent manner. Glycyrrhizin-based medicines are used clinically against herpesviruses in some countries, and topical licorice-based formulations appear in clinical reviews for genital HSV.

Multiple clinical studies, including a randomized placebo-controlled trial, have demonstrated that lithium salts suppress recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. A 2020 systematic review (Nowak) confirmed antiviral activity across several human study designs. Evidence applies to lithium generally; specific orotate-form trials are lacking but the antiviral mechanism is salt-independent.

Lychee flower extract has been shown in vitro to inhibit HSV-1 proliferation and viral replication, and lychee flower ethanolic extract displays anti-inflammatory activities relevant to herpes lesion biology. These findings were confirmed in a peer-reviewed TCM phytotherapy review focused on HSV-1 therapy candidates. Evidence is in vitro only; no human clinical trials exist for lychee specifically against herpes.

Multiple in vitro studies have confirmed that monolaurin inactivates herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by solubilizing their lipid envelopes. CDC-linked cell culture studies found activity against 14 enveloped viruses including HSV-1 and HSV-2. No human clinical trials for oral supplementation against herpes outbreaks have been completed.

In-vitro studies published in indexed journals have demonstrated that V. thapsus extracts inhibit HSV-1, HSV-2, and other herpesviruses. A 2011 PubMed study showed antiviral action against pseudorabies virus (herpes family), and a 2023 Journal of Ethnopharmacology paper confirmed activity against HSV-II. All evidence is from cell models with no human trials.

OA shows potent antiviral activity specifically against HSV-1 in cell-based and animal studies, including against acyclovir-resistant strains. It suppresses viral replication by downregulating the helicase-primase complex (UL5, UL8, UL52) and reduces skin lesions in vivo.

Olive leaf extract has both in vitro and limited human clinical evidence against herpes simplex viruses. Oleuropein inhibits HSV-1 DNA replication. A clinical RCT found topical OLE cream superior to acyclovir for HSV-1 labialis. Case reports document OLE use in genital herpes (HSV-2). Antiviral activity against HSV has also been reported for HPV, HCV, HBV, and influenza in pharmacological reviews.

Propolis, a resinous bee-derived substance, has shown virucidal activity against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro, including acyclovir-resistant strains. Multiple clinical trials support topical 3% propolis ointment for herpes labialis and genitalis, with one RCT showing healing in 6.24 vs. 9.77 days vs. placebo. A 2026 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found propolis/honey outperformed 5% acyclovir cream for lesion resolution.

Quercetin significantly reduced HSV-1 infectivity at 62–125 µM concentrations in Vero cells, comparably to acyclovir, in a 2024 in vitro study. A 2025 study confirmed quercetin inhibits HSV-1 replication in corneal epithelial cells and suppresses keratitis progression. Quercetin activates AMPK, suppresses NF-κB, and targets multiple viral replication stages.

Resveratrol inhibits HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication in a dose-dependent manner in vitro by suppressing NF-κB activation and viral immediate-early gene expression. Topical resveratrol application reduced lesion severity and viral titers in a murine HSV-2 model. A 2018 PMC review characterized resveratrol as a novel anti-HSV nutraceutical agent.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) exhibits in vitro antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2, documented in a peer-reviewed cell-culture study (Schnitzler et al., Pharmazie 2001). It is listed among natural treatments for herpes with clinical study support in a 2019 Phytomedicine systematic review. Human clinical evidence is limited to small case series.

Vitamin C has been studied as both topical and oral adjunct for herpes outbreaks. An older RCT of bioflavonoid-ascorbic acid complex for recurrent herpes labialis showed reduced outbreak duration vs. placebo. It is listed among natural treatments with some clinical trial support in Münstedt's 2019 Phytomedicine systematic review of natural agents for herpes.

Topically applied zinc salts directly inactivate clinical isolates of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro and have shown efficacy in reducing outbreak duration and severity in multiple human trials. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 0.05% topical zinc sulfate demonstrated significant superiority over placebo for recurrent HSV. Long-term topical zinc application may reduce or eliminate recurrent genital herpes episodes.

Black walnut hull has traditional documented use for herpes simplex skin lesions, attributed to juglone's proposed antiviral properties and the astringent tannins that reduce weeping and secondary infection. The Russian pharmacological review lists antiviral activity in preclinical settings. No clinical trials for herpes have been conducted.

Calendula is traditionally used topically for herpes simplex lesions across Ayurvedic and Western herbal traditions. In vitro antiviral activity against herpes-related viruses is documented. No human clinical trial for herpes specifically with calendula has been identified.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is listed as a traditional and proposed natural treatment for herpes simplex in multiple complementary medicine references. In vitro, elderberry flavonoids have demonstrated antiviral activity against enveloped viruses. No controlled clinical trials specifically for HSV have been published, so its use for herpes remains traditional/proposed.

Herpes is specifically listed among GMT's documented traditional indications in the peer-reviewed phytochemical literature and the 2023 Herba Sideritis systematic monograph. GMT's antimicrobial and antiseptic properties were historically applied to herpetic lesions. No human clinical study for herpes treatment using GMT has been published.

Topical use of sheep's sorrel as a wash for herpes skin lesions is documented in traditional herbal medicine. Antiviral activity has been demonstrated for closely related Rumex acetosa in vitro, providing limited scientific context. No clinical evidence exists for sheep's sorrel specifically.