As any herpes outbreak begins to heal, the addition of Vitamin E (administered orally and/or applied directly to the sore) can be extremely helpful and dramatically speed up the healing process. One of the more significant components of this vitamin is alpha-tocopherol which acts as an antioxidant in the human body. This supplement can prevent cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of fats and the formation of free radicals. Bottom line: IT WORKS.
Vitamin E as a genital herpes treatment:
Very Important: You will often find this vitamin sold in a synthetic form which is only 67% as active as it’s natural form. As Vitamin E is already an inexpensive addition in your genital herpes treatment toolbox, it is imperative that you purchase the best you can afford and seek out only the natural form of the oil. If the bottle does not specifically state: 100% potency or 100% naturally sourced (and be careful because unscrupulous producers will mix 20% natural with 80% synthetic and call it “natural Vitamin oil”) you can always tell by the ingredients. The completely natural version will be listed as d-alpha-tocopherol while the synthetic will be listed as dl-alpha-tocopherol.
You can purchase the capsules and take them internally (as in swallow them) which will be beneficial for your whole body – not just your herpes outbreaks – and then you have the option of cutting the capsules open and applying to oil on the healing outbreak. Alternatively, the oil is sold in a bottle with a dropper to dispense it. Even just a few drops of the natural d-alpha-tocopherol form applied directly to the herpes blisters can increase healing by 50%.
Should you choose to add Vitamin E to your diet through food and not supplementation, you can find significant amounts of in avocados, cold-pressed vegetable oils, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
I cannot recommend more highly the addition of this supplement (either orally or topically) to your medicine cabinet as a highly effective treatment for herpes.
Update: The body needs zinc in order to maintain the correct amount of Vitamin E in your blood. Any Vitamin E that has worked to oxidize a free radical in your body can be revitalized by the addition of Vitamin C. Accordingly it would be wise to add both Vitamin C and Zinc with any oral vitamin E supplementation you are taking.
