Herpes Simplex

What is Red Marine Algae?

I really shouldn’t insult your intelligence because Red Marine Algae is exactly what it sounds like. Growing in great abundance all over the world’s oceans, Red Marine Algae has recently been harvested for human consumption due to the high mineral and vitamin content.

Red Marine Algae and Herpes

Even more recently, Red Marine Algae has been found to help herpes sufferers. The following are the claims made by researchers about the effect of Red Marine Algae (RMA) on the herpes virus as well as overall health:

• RMA can assist the body’s immune response to viruses. This can help to reduce the number of outbreaks and the severity of your outbreaks.
• RMA can reduce the formation of herpes virus colonies, also helping to reduce the number and severity of your outbreaks.
• RMA can be useful for weight-loss and lowering cholesterol, helping improve your overall health.
• RMA, a sea vegetable, has 10 to 20 times the amount of minerals than plants that grow on land, helping to maintain the proper alkaline balance in the body.

How Does Red Marine Algae Work?

Recent research and gathering of anecdotal evidence on the health benefits and antiherpetic action of the Red Marine Algae, Dumontiaceae, has given proponents of its use a lot of hope. Its use as a topical has been further documented and thought superior to acyclovir, which is the normally prescribed treatment. Red Marine Algae was also shown to be clinically effective against herpes zoster. Anecdotal reports from patients suffering from Epstein Barr (another herpes virus) and Candida have shown improvements in a short period of time through oral administration.

Those who advocate the use of medicinal plants draw attention to the fact that the use of acyclovir has led to resistant strains of viruses including some what have been discovered to be completely immune to acyclovir. Proponents also site the fact that symptoms and outbreaks return with increased severity and frequency when long term use of acyclovir is discontinued.

Drawbacks

The lack of clinical trial and concrete evidence limits the use of Red Marine Algae as a widespread treatment for herpes.

Upside

With the evidence against the use of acyclovir mounting, a more natural remedy is bound to gain favor. There are no side effects when a natural botanical solution is used and Red Marine Algae can also improve overall health.

Recommendation

For those who suffer from herpes, no matter how frequently or in what form, experimentation is never an attractive offer. During an outbreak it is important to have a product known to work. I can’t say that Red Marine Algae is completely ineffective because there is mounting evidence that it could be. On the other hand, I can say other treatments have been proven and may be a better option, especially in the case of a severe outbreak. As far as long term use goes, incorporating Red Marine Algae may be a healthy alternative to harsher prescriptions and could lead to a more natural way to reduce outbreaks.