Evidence supporting the use of: Carvacrol
For the health condition: Herpes

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Carvacrol, a phenolic compound found in oregano oil and other plants, has a history of traditional use for various ailments, including infections. Its use to support or treat herpes is primarily rooted in traditional medicine and anecdotal reports rather than robust clinical evidence. In vitro studies have demonstrated that carvacrol possesses antiviral activity against several viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV). For example, laboratory studies suggest that carvacrol can disrupt viral envelopes and inhibit viral replication. However, these studies are limited to cell cultures, and there is a lack of human clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of carvacrol for herpes infections specifically. Traditional herbal medicine systems, especially in Mediterranean cultures, have used oregano oil (rich in carvacrol) for skin and mucosal infections, which may include herpes sores, but without controlled scientific validation. Thus, while there is a plausible mechanism and some laboratory data, the evidence does not rise to a high level of scientific validation, and recommendations for its use in herpes remain primarily traditional with limited supporting research.

More about carvacrol
More about Herpes

Products containing carvacrol

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.