Viral Skin Infections

The virus that causes warts enters through a crack in the skin. Although warts generally disappear on their own, you can hasten their demise with natural remedies. Because warts are contagious and can spread, avoid picking, scratching, or otherwise irritating them. The herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, lives in nerve endings. An outbreak is often precipitated by emotional tension or by physical stressors such as menstruation or too much sun.

Eliminate warts with tea tree oil
Tea tree essential oil has powerful antiviral properties and can help eliminate warts. Apply undiluted tea tree oil with a cotton swab directly to the wart several times a day.

Boost immune function with echinacea
Opportunistic organisms such as warts are a sign that your immune system is not functioning up to parTake a course of echinacea to stimulate your immune system to overcome the virus.Take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract twice a day for ten days. After a break of three days, repeat the dosage for an additional ten days.

Fight warts with garlic
A poultice of crushed raw garlic has powerful antiviral properties and can get rid of a wart in a few days. Because the essential oils in raw garlic can burn your skin, it's important to protect the skin around the wart with a layer of vitamin E oil; prick a vitamin E capsule with a pin and spread the oil on to your skin. Mash a clove of garlic, apply to the wart. and cover with an adhesive bandage. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. A blister usually forms, and the wart should fall off within one week

Resisting herpes
To increase resistance to the herpes virus during times of susceptibility, take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract three times daily for up to ten days. Garlic is a potent antiviral; to keep the virus in check, eat one or two cloves of raw garlic daily.

Ice cube rescue
If you feel the tingling sensation of an impending herpes outbreak, rub an ice cube on the area.This sometimes stops a cold sore from erupting.

Helping to heal herpes with calendula
Calendula has antiviral properties
and encourages the healing of herpes outbreaks. Prepare a strong tea by pouring 250m1 (8fl oz) of boiling water over two tablespoons of dried calendula Cover, steep for 20 minutes, and strain. Apply with a cotton ball to the blisters several times daily

Dry herpes blisters with tea tree oil
Tea tree essential oil is a powerful antiviral and helps to dry the herpes blisters. Dilute with an equal amount of vegetable oil to prevent irritation of the skin and sensitive mucous membranes. Dab a small amount on to the blisters four times a day.