My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Nineteen
Holistic Herpes Newsletter Volume Two, Edition 4
Stigma Buster
The notion that there is a huge stigma against people with herpes is probably the biggest and most harmful myth in the universe of the numerous myths and lies about herpes and one that I vehemently reject. Most people are severely mis-educated or uneducated about sexual health and that is an issue, but most people are also kind and tolerant and understanding when given a chance. Of course there is always a small minority of idiots out there, there always has been and there always will be but they are no more than ten percent of the population.
People experience herpes stigma largely because they stigmatize themselves. They buy into the notion that once you have herpes you ought to feel ashamed, dirty and compromised. You can either accept or reject this, it’s completely your choice. I choose the path of empowerment and holistic health.
If you accept yourself then you have all the acceptance you need. And no one can take away that self-acceptance with a nasty remark or snigger. If you truly love yourself then you need never live in fear of rejection by another or others for when one door is closed another is always opened.
There is no scarcity with true love only abundance. And no love will ever be truer than the love you should have for yourself.
All the love you need is inside of you, all the affirmation you need is inside of you, if you don’t love yourself you will never find the love you need in another person or a place or a thing. Don’t go on a wild goose chase, there is no hiding from the truth, there is no hiding from yourself
Answer the question honestly: do you love yourself?
If you say you do, then how would someone who loves themselves act?
Don’t look to others for affirmation, affirm yourself.
christopher scipio
herbalist/holistic viral specialist
‘What is it?’ I thought…
bent over in the ladies restroom, trying to remain my balance despite a feverish weakness. The stinging, burning sensation that seemed to affect all skin and nerves between the pubis and pelvic bones was impossible to deny; something was seriously wrong, and my muscles, nerves, and reproductive and urinary system were all affected. Pain radiating from these areas made sitting, standing, walking—any movement—excruciating. Dreading the second-by-second discomfort that would come with ambulating to a doctor, I pushed my shoulders back took a deep weary but determined sigh. I knew I needed to get medical help so I started the trek to the University Student Health Center. Already battling symptoms of a head cold and my menses during Finals Week during my junior year, I held out hope for a quick cure and a return to normalcy. But, after an examination from an unusually quiet and concerned looking nurse, I prepared for a different reality. The examining nurse hurriedly left the room, barely pausing to say “Hold on a minute; we need a doctor for this…”.
‘ What…? Is it that bad?’, I thought. The nurse returned with a gynecologist who closely viewed signs of the outbreak, then told the nurse without addressing me, “Yes, this is a classic case”. ‘Case of what?’ I thought. But before I worked up the gumption to ask they left.
Later the nurse returned and explained, “These are classic symptoms of genital herpes, an STD”. She read the confusion on my face. My head was spinning—How? When? Who? Please heal it! I can’t allow my partner to get this….it’s terrible!
“Do you know about Herpes?” she asked. She explained the basics of STDs- but I was mystified- how could I have gotten this from my partner? From my two past partners? Then there was a very tense pause, and she explained “Its chronic- Herpes is something you have for the rest of your life”. Now my head was really spinning, and as the silence lengthened I could no longer keep from expressing my feelings-despite my discomfort and trust in the health center. Tears were beginning to form…I was nineteen. How could I have contracted it after only having been intimate with two people?
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done once you have an outbreak—other than prescribe medicine that will lessen the pain and reduce the chance the virus replicates.” Lidocaine and a three week regime of taking antivirals four times a day were the prescription.
With the pain-numbing medicine, I was able to physically manage the outbreak. But psychologically, I was wiped out for a month or two after being diagnosed. I felt shame, discomfort, anxiety, and tremendous disgust around my body and sexuality. Though internally I felt inconsolable, extremely sensitive, self-conscious and emotionally vulnerable, I isolated myself from my good friends and partner because the subject matter was stigmatizing and uncomfortable for everyone. I had to tell my partner. I did so right after finding out, while still painful systems and feeling completely defeated. I loved my partner fiercely, and wanted to protect them from any harm—even though I feared being left because of the risk of transmission, and loss of attraction to me. But my partner—who had had an STD at one time or another—was not stigmatized, and asserted love and commitment to me. “Well, I want to be with you”, he said. “If I get it, I get it—it’s not like it’s fatal or anything”.
Of course my partner was right. I was unspeakably grateful for his decision to stay with me and see my body and our intimacy as something beautiful—despite how I was feeling. Their unconditional love and this desire to be intimate was difficult for me to accept because I felt diseased and unattractive. I worried every time we were intimate he would contract herpes—that once having a first outbreak that I wouldn’t be forgiven; that herpes itself could drive us apart.
Over time these feelings dissipated completely. I found that with more stability, financial security, and healthy habits I could fend off ensuing outbreaks once I noticed prodromal symptoms—for me, dull soreness and numbness of my hamstrings, buttocks, and hips and intermittent stabbing or tingling nerve pains below the waist. I went online and researched tips for preventing outbreaks—ones I could control, without having to pay a doctor to prescribe heavy drugs. Whenever symptoms surfaced, I took an inventory: What did I drink over the past three days? What foods and how often was I eating? How much sleep did I get over the last several nights? Did I do too many physically or emotionally intense things in a row, without a break?
Just eighteen months after my first outbreak, I was living a virtually symptom-free life. I was able to work out, hike, garden, go out, stay up late dancing, take road trips, and have good sex without any reminder of the herpes virus. I ended up having to make some long-term lifestyle changes—which ended up being the best things I’ve done for my health and my sanity. I learned to manage my anxiety and mood with counseling, meditation and positive thinking. I began learning to be aware of my body’s needs, and put my health and wellbeing before my job, or the demands and expectations of others. As a result, I was pain-free and—and perhaps just as importantly, shame-free—for about seven years. On average, I would still have small three to four-day outbreaks every three months. I noticed asymptomatic shedding once every one or two months before menses. But all this became as manageable as the common cold without any of the psychological affects it initially had.
Recently, my life was shaken by a nexus of three life changing events: relocating to new state—far from family and friends, enrolling in an accelerated 10-month graduate school program while also facing the dissolution of my relationship/marriage to my partner. The stress and resulting emotional fatigue weakened my ability to fend off herpes and I found myself affected by consecutive, seemingly unending herpes outbreaks that began to take an emotional toll. With the rigors of graduate school and the inability to rest as much as my body needed me to, I relied heavily on counseling, close friendships, positive thinking and nutrition, but also began using antivirals and heavy doses of L-Lysine to try to fend off herpes’ hold. It seemed like the harder I fought with the virus, the more persistent it was in returning; and got so bad I started ignoring my body’s messages from me. As many of us do all the time, I powered through the upheaval, trying to detach myself from bodily pains while addressing mental or other emotional challenges.
With my Master’s degree in hand, and my life slowly returning to sane and spiritually-nurturing pace, I was finally able to address my health. Though I had been taking conventional, heavy medicines to try to curb my outbreaks for ten months—my body had not healed and my immune system seemed weaker than ever. That’s when I picked up “Making Peace with Herpes”—the only book I could find that takes a naturopathic and spiritual approach to managing herpes.
Reading “Making Peace with Herpes” helped me see that my physical health and managing herpes is about being at peace and compassionately caring for my body, my sexuality, and my relationships. As I result, I felt empowered to reject the heavy drugs—conventional western medicine—that I knew were changing how my body naturally functioned and that I’d been more and more reluctant to use. I began to trust my ability to heal myself—not just from herpes—but from other dis-ease as well. I made decisions, changed my lifestyle, and adjusted my beliefs to cultivate peace in my life. I began choosing loving, deeply-personal and natural approaches to my health—and invested in Acupuncture, and a gym membership instead of heavy conventional chemical compounds that are unnatural and corporate-owned. I saw my body heal after one week of drinking medicinal tea made of Christopher’s immune draught, and by applying his red marine algae gel topically. I was—am still amazed—at the efficacy of these naturopathic remedies, that resulted after only one consultation (mind you—the most thorough and personalized health consultation I’d ever had for any health issue). I am once again unaffected by chronic or severe herpes symptoms, and I credit my shift from unnatural conventional management of herpes to a holistic health practices and use natural remedies. Because of the peace this shift has given me, I encourage others to do so as well.
Though I never would have believed it when I was first diagnosed and was experiencing my first outbreak, I have come to value what having herpes has taught me: it has taught me how integrated our body’s system and our health is with our emotional health and our lifestyles; that our health and wellbeing must be achieved by actively cultivating love and peace for ourselves; and that we are one of millions of super-awesome life forms that have been the gift of life, and the ability to adapt and coexist peaceably. I hope that others have similarly positive and healing realizations. May our bodies, minds and spirits find true health and healing!
-Laura
28, San Francisco, CA
Yoga Shift
Six years ago, when I was first diagnosed with genital herpes, I read Christopher Scipio’s book, “Making Peace with Genital Herpes,” and, inspired by both the delivery and the content of this publication, I contacted him for further advice and information. Shortly thereafter, I ordered some of his medicinal herbs to treat frequent outbreaks and boost my ailing immune system. He sent instructions with my medicine in the form of a written protocol that stated firmly that in addition to using the antiviral gel and medicine herbs, daily yoga practice was highly recommended. In fact, it was more than recommended. Christopher insisted that I could not expect real results in the form of long-term health and healing without implementing yoga into my daily routine. He was only suggesting a minimum of 20 minutes a day for optimum health, but I scoffed at the notion. Herpes had already demanded so much of my life, my time, and physical and mental energy. I had to change my diet, take a regimen of unusual herbs, do the mental work of accepting the permanence of the virus, disclose to potential partners, and change my sexual habits. I was resentful of my condition and lacking the desire to commit to this new discipline. I refused to accept that Christopher’s advice had purpose and intention as valuable as his other recommendations. I decided instead to return to pharmaceutical anti-virals to deal suppress my outbreaks and I gave way to habits that are difficult to share.
Like millions of Americans, I struggle with chronic emotional and mental health issues. I am no stranger to anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. They’ve led me to self medicate with everything from alcohol to marijuana to nightly doses of Benadryl. I am no stranger to addiction. I’ve fought and won hard battles with prescription painkillers, benzodiazapines, muscle relaxants, and sleeping pills. For years I have relied heavily upon substances to alleviate everything from frequent headaches to chronic yeast infections, from acute muscle spasms to panic attacks. If there were a pill for it, I would take it. I would take it desperate for a quick solution. It wasn’t for lack of awareness. I simply told myself that I didn’t have the time for the kind of self-care and preventative measures required for true health. I am a single mom with too many bills, too many PTA meetings, too many part-time jobs, too many college courses. I had too many people vying for my time, energy and support. Who had time for silly things like breathing and stretching?
I wish it hadn’t taken me this long to get real with myself. To accept and understand that it is me and only me who is responsible for my health and well-being. That self-love requires far more action and way less excuses. And that yoga could offer me the long-term solution not only to my frequent outbreaks, but to my anxieties and addictions great and small. Does it sound like an exaggeration? If I were the reader, I sure would think so. Yoga seems so passive. It seems so simple. So optional. Well, I certainly cannot speak for all humans, although I would like to believe that there are humans much like myself in dire need of real strength and healing that would benefit from its powers. So, I wanted to share with all of you just how profoundly my life has shifted since I made yoga a part of my daily life. I want to share with great enthusiasm and amazement that not only has it improved my posture and self-confidence, strengthened my back and core, and provided relief from physical and emotional pain and stress, it has provided me with a daily dose of spiritual inspiration. While I have yet to delve deep into the ancient spiritual practice of yoga, I can say with great certainty that connecting with the breath and with the present moment are profoundly powerful practices with a wealth of health benefits. When you really start to care for yourself, you begin to feel better in general. And the better you feel, the more likely you are to care. It’s a beautiful cycle, a positive cycle.
It’s been easier for me to choose healthy, alkaline foods. After a practice, after I have had the time to feel my own strengths and weaknesses, search for balance, and tap into emotional pain deeply in need of release, the last thing I want to do is eat processed food, or have a drink. I feel good. And I worked for that feeling. I made the time to maintain my body, and in the process I managed to nurture my spirit and mind. What resulted are baby steps in all the right directions. By taking pause, I’ve come to realize that my way of living was unsustainable. I couldn’t go on that way and expect to thrive. My needs were legitimate. I do need something to take the edge off, to sleep better at night, to help me stay in the moment, and to help combat chronic disease. I see now why yoga was just as important as the herbs, food modifications, and anti-viral gel. Yoga, for me, is a part of a very real, very potent path to holistic healing. It has made the impossible, possible. I’m writing to you as an addict who continues to struggle on the daily. But I am writing to you 100% sober, 100% capable, and 100% inspired to be my healthiest and to own my own healing. Yoga is like organic farming for the body and soul. Sustainable and nurturing, possible and vital. I give thanks for having crossed paths with Christopher and for all of the hope and wellness I have received on this path. I wish you all Happiness and Wellness. With a joyful heart,
Namaste.
Yogurt with a Kick
Cardamom is great for stimulating the digestive system and your metabolism.
1-2 cups of plain Organic Yogurt
1 orange peeled and sliced
1-2 tsp of honey
1 tsp of cardamom
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
Place the Yogurt into a bowl, sprinkle the spices, orange overtop and then drizzle the honey overtop. You could also put it into a To-Go container and take it to work for a late afternoon snack.
The Naked Quiche
This quiche also has no pastry so it is easy to make, and you will still feel good naked because it is easy on the waistline.
6 eggs
6-7 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup of organic goat feta
1 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of organic sea salt
Handful of basil
Handful of oregano
1-2 tbsp of oil
3 tbsp of organic Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Throw the first 7 ingredients into a bowl (except the oil & parmesan) and stir with a fork or whisk. Take a muffin pan and lightly oil each compartment. Then fill up each section halfway with the egg mixture. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese overtop, and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the eggs are done.
Serve with a side veggie or fruit salad.
Potato and Onion Soup
4 cups of onions (thinly sliced)
4 cups of potatoes (thinly sliced)
2 tbsp of olive oil
4 cups of water
3-4 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of sea salt
1 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of cayenne pepper
1/4 of red wine
In a soup pot add oil and onions on medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until they are translucent. Then add the potatoes, salt, and pepper, letting them fry in the pan for another 7 minutes. Add paprika, cayenne pepper, turning down the heat to low and add in the red wine, letting it cook on low for another 5 minutes. Then add boiling water into the pot and bring it all to a boil together.
Fiesta Stew
This stew has great colours as well as lots of nutrients!
1/2 cup finely chopped scallion whites
3 tsps of olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3-5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 scallions, sliced, white and green parts divided
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1 ear of corn, husked and cut into 4 pieces
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, garlic, scallion whites, carrot, jalapeno, salt and pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Uncover, add cumin and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes, corn and the cooked chicken; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a slow simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in scallion greens, lime juice and cilantro.
- Published in Herpes
My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Twenty
Holistic Herpes Newsletter Volume Two, Edition 6
Herpes 2.0
Like some mad software engineer I am always trying to improve my herpes protocol. Last fall I finished and made available to you my 20th version of my herpes immune formula. Because of my recent ability to get organic and picked-from-the-wild Chinese herbs I was able to return to an earlier formula I had to abandon due to my concern about some Chinese herbs containing pesticides and heavy metals. This new herpes formula has proven itself to be quite effective over the past year but i’ll never just sit on my butt and ride on past accomplishments- I am paying close attention to the feedback and results I am getting from you, my patients, and discussing advances in herpes treatment with my peers in herbal medicine and with my friends in the scientific community. Some day soon there will be a 21st version of the herpes formula, but in the meanwhile I finished a new formula for my antiviral sex gel two months ago. I’ve been making red marine algae antiviral gels since 2004 and they have always been effective but because many of you travel to distant places and some of you are touring musicians, I responded to your feedback about not always having access to a fridge and changed the sex gel so that it can last longer outside of the fridge. Don’t get me wrong I still want you to keep the gel in a fridge when not using it, but the gel can now last at least a week outside of the fridge when opened and in some conditions can last up to a month. I also improved the smell and taste of the gel although it’s always been completely non-toxic organic and edible and always much better tasting than KY Jelly. I encourage you to try the new gel, as always it helps prevent herpes outbreaks and when used during sex helps prevent the transmission of herpes, HPV and HIV. Unlike any other gels on the market it’s hand-made (by me) from ethically harvested red marine algae and is the only antiviral gel can if effective against all 8 kinds of herpes viruses including Human Herpes Virus 6 which may be the most dangerous. The gel also effective treats and prevents Vulvodynia which affects many peri-menopausal and menopausal women with herpes. I am offering a 40% discount on the gel and my immune formula until November 11th, 2013.
Top Ten reasons to use the antiviral gel daily
helps prevent outbreaks and shedding
helps treat and prevent vulvodynia
protects against all eight herpes viruses, hpv and hiv
no one needs to know you are using it
is especially effective for oral sex safer
is a masturbation aide
helps prevent you spreading herpes to other parts of the body from masturbaton or inadvertent touching
helps prevent speeding of herpes to other parts of the body during oral sex
the only one made by a master herbalist, made by hand from whole seaweeds
helps prevent chicken pox and shingles
human herpes viruses 1, 2 , 3, 4, 6 and 8 have all been linked to various forms of cancer. Keeping your herpes viruses in check may help in cancer prevention down the road, and we don’t know what other diseases may be triggered or worsened by untreated herpes viruses
christopher scipio
herbalist/holistic viral specialist
Herpes Denial
My name is June and I have HSV-2. Sounds like the opening line at an AA meeting, right? I’ve often thought that it would be nice to have a group of people come together and share their experiences with Herpes; especially when you first receive the ‘gift’ of herpes. It can be a very lonely, dark place.
Over 20 years ago I had a one night stand that changed my life forever. Back in the early 90’s there wasn’t a lot of information available and no one was really talking about preventative measures against STDs. I recall it was all about not getting pregnant more than it was not getting an STD (referred now more often as STI).
My doctor took one look at me and said those devastating words “you have herpes” and that was about all he said and I was left to my own devices. I honestly don’t even remember if there was a blood test taken to confirm it and there definitely wasn’t a conversation about HSV1 vs. HSV2.
I didn’t have any idea what had just happened. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I felt helpless. After a while anger and embarrassment set in. Then I made the call to the guy that gave this to me and of course he didn’t know anything. As I said, there wasn’t a lot of information available and there was a feeling that I was the only person in the world that had this thing.
If I knew then what I know now about shedding, I probably wouldn’t have passed the gift to a guy who later became my husband (and later became my ex-husband). And don’t think for a minute that I now wonder if he just married me because he thought his life was over when he got those blisters. Of course, now I know that you can pass on herpes even when you’re asymptomatic.
This leads me to a recent conversation with a dear friend who told me that she had blisters show up in her genital area about 30 years ago. She has never had another break out…to her knowledge. I say that because we know that you can have an outbreak and not know it because herpes is wily and a little pimple can look like a pimple unless it’s herpes and then it’s a pimple with attitude.
She was married for almost 20 years and never passed herpes to her husband…to her knowledge. They are now divorced and each is involved with other people. She confided to me that she had the standard STI tests recently but didn’t know that there were specific tests for herpes and as it turns out hadn’t had that test. She is thinking she is free and clear until I let her know that herpes has specific tests and isn’t included in any STI testing unless you specifically request it.
I had the conversation with her about herpes and how it behaves and I highly encouraged her to get tested specifically for herpes. She procrastinated and said recently that she had gone to the Doctor and asked for the tests, and I was absolutely flabbergasted because the Doctor told her that ‘almost everyone has herpes and why bother with any tests’. He clarified that he was talking about HSV1. And yes, he is probably right but why would a health care professional advise his patient to NOT have the herpes tests?
My friend decided not to have the tests and continue on her life as if she is free and clear because in her mind she hasn’t had another outbreak in 30 years, never passed it to her ex-husband, and therefore doesn’t have the virus, period. Now she is in a new relationship with a guy and does not plan to tell him about her history. She is in complete denial.
Don’t think for a minute that if you had an outbreak any number of years ago that you don’t have the virus. At the very least get tested and be sure so you are knowledgeable and can have a relationship based on truth and honesty rather than a relationship that is hiding a secret that will change the life of your partner forever if you pass ‘the gift.’ That is karma that I, personally, don’t want to assume.
For the last 15 years I haven’t had an outbreak and I am grateful that I have been so lucky – others are not so lucky. I almost forgot I had it – it was so far in the back of my mind. But I don’t for a minute think the virus went away.
I recently had to have ‘the talk’ with someone and it never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be honest about my status. It puts you in a very vulnerable position and it can be one of those instances where it will become a defining moment in your life. Unfortunately my potential partner decided that he didn’t want to take the risk of getting the gift from me and we remain ‘just friends’, and yes, it’s disheartening.
I know that I would have liked to make the decision all those years ago about how my life would play out and I cannot stress that enough. When other people feel they can make decisions for you with no regard for the implications – it is a violation of human rights and one can be taken to court nowadays if you don’t tell a potential partner and then they subsequently contract herpes. This is a scary prospect and it should be – we are in a litigious environment and don’t think you are safe.
There is the side of me that wishes I could have my friend’s attitude of ‘whatever happens, happens’; but in reality, it’s not my decision and it’s not my decision to assume the risk for anyone. It is my responsibility to tell partners that I have HSV- 2 and it’s their decision to assume the risk or not, period.
It takes courage to stand in your truth and I believe that when you do, good things happen. It may seem like nothing good comes of this herpes business, but I remain positive and have faith that all things happen for a reason. I refuse to let herpes define me and this is the biggest challenge when faced with having herpes in your life. I can say that because I face the challenge every day and in the end, it’s just a virus – it won’t kill you – it won’t deny you a healthy, happy relationship – it won’t. Anyone worth having in your life will make the decision to assume the risk, or they won’t, period. The sooner we accept this and believe that we are worth the risk, the better. Surround yourself with love, be brave. This is your life…make it beautiful.
Holistic Fall Savings! Save 40% on my hand-made remedies or my book or my self-hypnosis cds. Must order by 11/11/13. Email me at hsvclinic at aol.com
The article below is a study that shows that up to 90 percent of people with herpes “don’t know they have it”. Of course the article misleads the public by only reporting the statistics of HSV2 and once again leaves out HSV1 which I consider the more dangerous of the two.- Christopher Scipio
http://m.news1130.com/2013/08/19/most-people-with-herpes-dont-realize-they-have-it-study/
More US Teens Susceptible to HSV-1 Infection, a Cause of Genital Herpes
This article highlights that because fewer children are getting “cold sores” by being kissed by their aunties they are more at risk of getting HSV1 genitally as teenagers and because of the popular myth that oral sex is risk free
Oct. 17, 2013 — A new study suggests a growing number of U.S. adolescents lack antibodies that may help protect them later in life against an increasingly important cause of genital herpes. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online, the findings show that fewer of today’s teens have been exposed in their childhood to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a common cause of cold sores, than U.S. adolescents in previous years. Without these antibodies, today’s teens may be more susceptible — when they become sexually active — to genital infections also caused by the virus, particularly through oral sex.
read the full article here
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131017080656.htm
Herpes virus genome traces the ancient path of human migration
To confirm the theory that humans spread out from Africa tens of thousands of years ago, all you have to do is follow the cold sores. Or, to be more precise, follow the mutation patterns encoded in the genome of the virus that causes those cold sores.
That’s what researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison did: In the journal PLOS ONE, they describe how they sequenced the genomes of 31 samples of herpes simplex virus type-1 to reconstruct how it hitchhiked on humans as they dispersed around the world.
read the full story here
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/herpes-virus-genome-traces-ancient-path-human-migration-8C11436194
Holistic Herpes Recipes
Salsa Salmon
2 large limes peeled, and chopped into small chunks
1/3 cup very thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 small jalapeno, halved, seeded and very thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 tsp of brown sugar
1 tsp of Sea salt
1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
2- 4 6-ounce sockeye salmon fillets (depending on how many you are serving?)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the salmon filets in a casserole pot or cooking pan, lightly drizzling the pan and the salmon with some oil to prevent it from sticking. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until it is a lighter pink, and flaking. Best not to overcook but it depends on preferences.
While the salmon is cooking you can mix together the oil, garlic sugar, limes, onions, cilantro and jalapenos salt and pepper.
Serve the fillets with the salsa mixture and rice or salad.
Lime, Rice and Beans
Lime helps to refresh the spirits and purify the blood. It is energizing, creating mental clarity as well as antibacterial. Great for cleaning with!
1 lime, juiced
1 can of black beans
1 cup of coconut
1 1.2 cups of jasmine rice
1-2 tsp of oil
Cook the rice in a pot. Rinse the rice a few times ( to make it less sticky) before you cook it. Then put the rice and 3 cups of water into a pot, plus the coconut. Bring to a boil, turn down the head to low and let stand until the water soaks into the rice. Then turn the heat off and let it sit while you mix the beans.
Put 1-2 tsp of oil into a pan, add the garlic sautee 3-5 minutes on medium heat., then add the black beans and squeeze the fresh lime overtop. Heat for another few minutes until the beans are warm, and serve over rice.
Roasted Garlic and Cilantro Soup
Two of my favourite things, together at last!
5-6 bulbs of garlic
6-8 med size potatoes
6 cups of water
2 red onions sliced
2 carrots chopped
1-2 tsp of sea salt
1-2 tsp of pepper
2 cups of Cilantro chopped
Bake the garlic bulbs at 400 degrees by cutting the tips off the garlic bulbs, drizzling some olive oil over top and baking for about 30 minutes.
The Asian Salmon
1/3 cup of Maple syrup
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
2 tbsp of Hoisin sauce
2 tbsp peeled and sliced ginger
Dried red pepper flakes
3-5 gloves of chopped garlic
Juice of 1or 2 fresh limes
2-4 Wild Salmon fillets
Place the sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, lime juice, red pepper flakes, garlic in a saucepan, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the sauce forms a glaze.
Preheat the broiler.
Place the salmon fillets on a broiler pan and cover with the 1/3 of the sauce. Let sit for 15 minutes. Broil them until cooked through, about 8 minutes, and again baste more of the asian mixture. Remove the salmon from the heat and baste once more with the sauce before serving. Great by itself or served with basmati rice!
I will also cut it into small pieces and snack on it throughout the day.
- Published in Herpes
My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Twenty-One
- Published in Herpes
My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Twenty-Two
Holistic Herpes Newsletter Volume Three, Edition 3
A Poem and a Thank You
One of my patients has started a brilliant blog about food and herpes. I strongly encourage you all to follow it. Here’s the info on how to find it:
Food and Herpes: Enjoy cooking! La cuisine plaisir
A suitable diet makes a great difference when living with HSV2! The best way to boost your immune system is to eat appropriate food.
Une nourriture adaptée fait une grande différence quand on doit vivre avec l’herpès! La meilleure façon de booster votre système immunitaire, c’est de consommer une nourriture appropriée.
Think outbreak free!
##cuisine sans grain, noix, caféine, théine, sucre ou chocolat
##cooking without grain, nut, caffeine, sugar or chocolate
##Instagram food_and_herpes
Updates and Discounts
I’ve started my herpes awareness campaign as promised, t’s called “I am One” and it’s to fight against herpes shaming and the false stigma that goes with it. I want to collect a group of people with herpes from all walks of life, all ages and races and sizes and orientations- simply saying in front of a video camera “I am one”. Let’s not let my face- no matter how handsome it is, be the only face of herpes. Please do send me your “I am One” video clip and let’s all get out of the collective closet.[email protected]
here’s my clip
Lastly as a winter special and to help you have a herpes free new year, I am offering a six month package of my Immune Formula and Antiviral Gel- which normally is $699, for $500 dollars, if you order by December 16th 2014. You can also have a 60 minute phone consultation for half price at $50, and a 30 minute mini consultation also at half price for $30. If there’s any other remedies you might need for herpes or any other health condition please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll either hand make something for you or let you know some safe and effective remedies that can be store bought.
“Ebola and The Vast Viral Universe”
In my book “Making Peace with Herpes” I wrote back in 2006 that the herpes viruses had been around for at least 140 million years and infects every single animal with a backbone and almost every animal without a backbone, such as worms and coral reefs. I also wrote that in our own body only 10% of the number of cells we have are human and that the other 90% are viruses and bacteria and other microorganisms, and that we cannot survive without them. Now in this article from the New York Times I read a couple of months ago, scientists are going much further in their claims of the interdependency of viruses and the organisms they infect. Infact viruses may have created life itself as part of their evolutionary manifest destiny.
“Behind the hellish Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa lies an agent that fittingly embodies the mad contradictions of a nightmare. It is alive yet dead, simple yet complex, mindless yet prophetic, seemingly able to anticipate our every move.
For scientists who study the evolution and behavior of viruses, the Ebola pathogen is performing true to its vast, ancient and staggeringly diverse kind. By all evidence, researchers say, viruses have been parasitizing living cells since the first cells arose on earth nearly four billion years ago.
Some researchers go so far as to suggest that viruses predate their hosts. That they essentially invented cells as a reliable and renewable resource they could then exploit for the sake of making new viral particles.
It was the primordial viral “collective,” said Luis P. Villarreal, former director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of California, Irvine, “that originated the capacity for life to be self-sustaining.”
“Viruses are not just these threatening or annoying parasitic agents,” he added. “They’re the creative front of biology, where things get figured out, and they always have been.”
Researchers are deeply impressed by the depth and breadth of the viral universe, or virome. Viruses have managed to infiltrate the cells of every life form known to science. They infect animals, plants, bacteria, slime mold, even larger viruses. They replicate in their host cells so prodigiously and stream out into their surroundings so continuously that if you collected all the viral flotsam afloat in the world’s oceans, the combined tonnage would outweigh that of all the blue whales.
Not that viruses want to float freely. As so-called obligate parasites entirely dependent on host cells to replicate their tiny genomes and fabricate their protein packages newborn viruses, or virions, must find their way to fresh hosts or they will quickly fall apart, especially when exposed to sun, air or salt.
“Drying out is a death knell for viral particles,” said Lynn W. Enquist, a virologist at Princeton.
How long shed virions can persist if kept moist and unbuffeted — for example, in soil or in body excretions like blood or vomit — is not always clear but may be up to a week or two. That is why the sheets and clothing of Ebola patients must be treated as hazardous waste and surfaces hosed down with bleach.
Viruses are masters at making their way from host to host and cell to cell, using every possible channel. Whenever biologists discover a new way that body cells communicate with one another, sure enough, there’s a virus already tapping into exactly that circuit in its search for new meat.”
You can read the full article here
- Published in Herpes
My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Twenty-Three
Holistic Herpes Newsletter Volume Three, Edition 3
A Poem and a Thank You
One of my patients has started a brilliant blog about food and herpes. I strongly encourage you all to follow it. Here’s the info on how to find it:
Food and Herpes: Enjoy cooking! La cuisine plaisir
A suitable diet makes a great difference when living with HSV2! The best way to boost your immune system is to eat appropriate food.
Une nourriture adaptée fait une grande différence quand on doit vivre avec l’herpès! La meilleure façon de booster votre système immunitaire, c’est de consommer une nourriture appropriée.
Think outbreak free!
##cuisine sans grain, noix, caféine, théine, sucre ou chocolat
##cooking without grain, nut, caffeine, sugar or chocolate
##Instagram food_and_herpes
Updates and Discounts
Lastly as a winter special and to help you have a herpes free new year, I am offering a six month package of my Immune Formula and Antiviral Gel- which normally is $699, for $500 dollars, if you order by December 16th 2014. You can also have a 60 minute phone consultation for half price at $50, and a 30 minute mini consultation also at half price for $30. If there’s any other remedies you might need for herpes or any other health condition please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll either hand make something for you or let you know some safe and effective remedies that can be store bought.
“Ebola and The Vast Viral Universe”
In my book “Making Peace with Herpes” I wrote back in 2006 that the herpes viruses had been around for at least 140 million years and infects every single animal with a backbone and almost every animal without a backbone, such as worms and coral reefs. I also wrote that in our own body only 10% of the number of cells we have are human and that the other 90% are viruses and bacteria and other microorganisms, and that we cannot survive without them. Now in this article from the New York Times I read a couple of months ago, scientists are going much further in their claims of the interdependency of viruses and the organisms they infect. Infact viruses may have created life itself as part of their evolutionary manifest destiny.
“Behind the hellish Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa lies an agent that fittingly embodies the mad contradictions of a nightmare. It is alive yet dead, simple yet complex, mindless yet prophetic, seemingly able to anticipate our every move.
For scientists who study the evolution and behavior of viruses, the Ebola pathogen is performing true to its vast, ancient and staggeringly diverse kind. By all evidence, researchers say, viruses have been parasitizing living cells since the first cells arose on earth nearly four billion years ago.
Some researchers go so far as to suggest that viruses predate their hosts. That they essentially invented cells as a reliable and renewable resource they could then exploit for the sake of making new viral particles.
It was the primordial viral “collective,” said Luis P. Villarreal, former director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of California, Irvine, “that originated the capacity for life to be self-sustaining.”
“Viruses are not just these threatening or annoying parasitic agents,” he added. “They’re the creative front of biology, where things get figured out, and they always have been.”
Researchers are deeply impressed by the depth and breadth of the viral universe, or virome. Viruses have managed to infiltrate the cells of every life form known to science. They infect animals, plants, bacteria, slime mold, even larger viruses. They replicate in their host cells so prodigiously and stream out into their surroundings so continuously that if you collected all the viral flotsam afloat in the world’s oceans, the combined tonnage would outweigh that of all the blue whales.
Not that viruses want to float freely. As so-called obligate parasites entirely dependent on host cells to replicate their tiny genomes and fabricate their protein packages newborn viruses, or virions, must find their way to fresh hosts or they will quickly fall apart, especially when exposed to sun, air or salt.
“Drying out is a death knell for viral particles,” said Lynn W. Enquist, a virologist at Princeton.
How long shed virions can persist if kept moist and unbuffeted — for example, in soil or in body excretions like blood or vomit — is not always clear but may be up to a week or two. That is why the sheets and clothing of Ebola patients must be treated as hazardous waste and surfaces hosed down with bleach.
Viruses are masters at making their way from host to host and cell to cell, using every possible channel. Whenever biologists discover a new way that body cells communicate with one another, sure enough, there’s a virus already tapping into exactly that circuit in its search for new meat.”
You can read the full article here
- Published in Herpes
My Holistic Herpes Newsletter Edition Twenty-Four
The New Holistic Herpes Diet
After ten years of feedback from my patients and me trying to understand what worked and didn’t work for them diet-wise
and availing myself of current nutrition research, I have revised the diet I recommend
for holistic herpes management and general good health and vitality.
Do’s (Everyday unless otherwise noted)
Plain Organic Yoghurt (at least 2.5% milk fat)
Salmon or Sardines or Mackerel (at least 3-4 times per week)
Avocado
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries
Other Fruit
Hemp Seeds, not Hemp Protein, 2-4 tablespoons
Flax Seeds
Chia Seeds
At least One Salad per day. (Avoid Salad Dressing You don’t make Yourself.
Have Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the base for your Salad Dressing).
Make at least one smoothie a day with Kale or other Greens, Fruit, Yoghurt, Hemp Seeds, Avocado, etc
Tuna (once per week only)
Beans
Vegetables
Chicken or Poultry (only a few times a week at the most)
Eggs
Cheese (only a few times per week)
Kombucha tea, only if you make it yourself and make it without caffeine
Sauerkraut, Kim Chee and other fermented foods
Nutritional Yeast
Soup, at least once per day
Don’ts (Never)
Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar
Coffee, Green Tea, Black Tea, Cola Drinks, Chocolate
Nuts
Sesame Seeds, including Tahini
Poppy Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
Dates, Carob, Raisins
Fruit Juices
Sodas
Cereal, Cereal Grains
Oatmeal
Bacon, Cold Cuts, Prepared Meats, Sausages
Beef
White Wine
Notes:
Reduce your intake of wheat, rice and flour as much as possible. Limiting to only few times a week if ever. Stay away from breads and pastas and bake goods including cakes and muffins and cookies and bagels. Its okay to have brown or wild rice, or whole grain quinoa a few times a week.
Limit your intake or Potatoes and other Starchy Vegetables such as Yams, and Sweet Potatoes to a few times a week at the most.
Try to reduce alcohol intake as much as possible.
Updates and Discounts
As a spring special, I am offering a six month package of my Immune Formula and Antiviral Gel- which normally is $699, for $500 dollars, if you order by May 2nd. Or you can order six months of antiviral gel which is normally $320 for $180. Or You can have a 60 minute phone consultation for half price at $50, and a 30 minute mini consultation also at half price for $30. All of the above offers end on May 2nd. Anyone who takes advantage of any of the above specials can ask for my self-hypnosis tracks for free (a $60 value).
If there’s any other remedies you might need for herpes or any other health condition please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll either hand-make something for you or let you know some safe and effective remedies that can be store bought.
“Herpes During Pregnancy”
Here is an article from Cosmopolitan magazine regarding one woman’s experience of herpes during pregnancy. I’m always happy to see herpes discussed in mainstream media. Sadly they always repeat the misleading statistic that only 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 people have herpes
when the real number is at least six out of ten. I’ve had a lot of experience treating pregnant women with herpes and my pregnancy-safe
formula has been at least 90 percent effective and all the patients under my care had been able to avoid having a c-section including in the case of my own daughter who was born at home with a mid-wife less than three years ago.
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a39546/genital-herpes-pregnant/
Herpes Type 1 (Cold Sores) Remains Active Even When There’s No Symptoms
One of my biggest struggles is getting people with Type 1 Herpes to acknowledge that their disease is no different than type two herpes
and to practice safer sex and actively treat their infection. Most people who get herpes above the waist never inform lovers of their herpes and are believe that there is no risk unless there’s obvious symptoms. Hopefully this article will give people some food for thought.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140729093158.htm
- Published in Herpes