Using Coconut Oil on Herpes

Can you use virgin coconut oil on herpes?

You may find information on the internet claiming this tropical oil can be used to treat herpes and other viral infections.

While there are many products that claim to natural treat this disease, there are few that have garnered double-blind, placebo studies.

The following information takes a closer look at the active ingredients in coconut oil and how they may play a role in fighting virus and bacterial infections.

What is Herpes?

This virus is known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). It's a common virus and most infections go unrecognized and undiagnosed.

Up to 80% of adults in the United States have the oral infection and it's also believed that 1 in 4 adults may be infected with genital infections and not know it.

HSV is a family of viruses that includes Epstein-Barr Virus and Varicella-Zoster Virus .

Epstein-Barr causes Mononucleosis, also known as 'kissing disease', and Varicella-Zoster can cause Shingles and Chicken Pox.

There are variations of the virus with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) causing the majority of infections.

Most infected people will have oral or genital herpes. Once infected, the virus can enter a dormant stage where there are no visible symptoms.

When the virus does 'awaken' it can cause:

• Cold sores on the mouth/lips in Oral HSV.
• Lesions in the genital area in Genital HSV.

The virus is easily spread from person-to-person during an active outbreak and a few days before an outbreak. You may not have symptoms and still infect another person. This is called "Asymptomatic Shedding."

Coconut Oil and Herpes: A natural Herpes Treatment or Marketing Scam?

As mentioned above, there are many internet sites claiming you can use virgin coconut oil on herpes and HIV. This information is partly based on the anti-microbial properties of some ingredients found in the oil.

The Science behind Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil contains two healthy fatty acids with proven antimicrobial properties:

1. Lauric Acid
2. Capric Acid

How much of these fatty acids do you get in virgin coconut oil?

It may depend on the source of the oil, but you could range from 40 - 50% lauric acid and 8 - 10% capric acid.

When properly metabolized, both lauric acid and capric acid change into monoglycerides (a glycerol molecule) called monolaurin and monocaprin.

Research has shown that both monolaurin and monocaprin are proven antivirals.

They kill lipid-coated viruses (such as Herpes, HIV, and Cytomegalovirus) by destroying the lipid membrane of the viruses - causing them to disintegrate.

This has opened the door to an interesting field of research on lauric acid where scientists are trying to harness the antimicrobial powers of these powerful fatty acids.

The above information (whether verified or not) is used by many to support using coconut oil on herpes.

Does Virgin Coconut Oil cure Herpes?

It's a proven fact that lauric acid kills lipid-coated viruses, such as herpes and HIV. But there's a few factors affecting how well it works:

• How much coconut oil you need to get a therapeutic amount of lauric acid in your body.

• How much lauric acid actually converts into monolaurin for an effective anti-viral response?

Doctor claims Coconut Oil doesn't work on Herpes

Research by Dr. Jon Kabara (credited with discovering the antimicrobial effects of monoglycerides), believes its pointless using virgin coconut oil on herpes.

Dr. Kabara's research on lauric acid shows our bodies convert only a small amount of the fatty acid into monolaurin; not enough for a therapeutic response.

Dr. Kabara claims the human body needs at least 3 - 9 grams/day of monolaurin to have an antiviral effect in the body. This is equivalent to 300 to 900 ml of coconut oil. Eating this much coconut oil would probably make you sick.

Therefore, the best way to get a effective amount of monolaurin and monocaprin is taking it in supplement form.

Lauricidin Supplement

Based on his research, Dr. Kabara created a supplement called Lauricidin.

This concentrated form of lauric acid has been found to reduce herpes flare-ups. In fact, some people have reported no herpes break-outs since starting the supplement. Lauricidin has to be taken everyday for it to work.

Editorial Comments on using Coconut Oil for Herpes Symptoms

So what's the verdict on using coconut oil on herpes?

While some people may experience positive results from using coconut oil on their herpes, there's no scientific studies to support that ingesting coconut oil alone will lessen your herpes symptoms. Hopefully, more research will be conducted in this area.

While there's no cure for herpes right now, there are drugs and treatments that may help suppress outbreaks.

You can also try using natural products to help reduce the frequency and severity of your outbreaks. Some people have had success using tea tree oil on herpes. Remember that having a healthy immune system will help in controlling the virus and reducing outbreaks.

Research References:

Compare Lauric acid Supplements
from Amazon.com



Return from Coconut Oil and Herpes
back to Coconut Oil Home Page