The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
L-Lysine
Posted by Lola (New York) on 05/12/2019
★★★★★
I just recently contracted hsv2 (about 2 weeks ago) Since then I've been going through a horrible depression and bad thoughts have come to my mind. I'm only 32 and this has affected me enormously. But, I still want to keep my hopes up, I still want to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Since my first outbreak I started reading every article you can imagine, and what I have already implemented in my routine has been an almost vegan diet, mainly fruits and vegetables.
I have been taking lysine 3,000mg daily and also have been putting lysine ointment on my lips. For my first breakout I just had genital ulcers nothing showed up in my face but just felt this tingling sensation. But, I applied daily the lysine ointment to prevent anything from coming out, and till now it seemed to work. I would like to know, if you have hsv2 how likely is it to get it on the lips or face? This is extremely a concern for me. What else can I implement in care routine to prevent the breakout specially on my lip area.
L-Lysine
Posted by Bella (Tulsa, Ok) on 05/03/2017
★★★★★
I contracted HSV (genital, not sure which "type") over 30 years ago. My first outbreak was the worst. After that, I had several more over about 5 years that usually coincided with the onset of my menstrual cycle. Once I discovered l-lysine, my life changed. I have probably had a handful of outbreaks since. In the past few years, I've switched to oil of oregano, a few drops under the tongue every day then a few drops under the tongue every few days.
What has also helped has been changing my diet. I've cut WAY back on chocolate and caffeine. I've eliminated peanuts completely. There are other foods and ingredients (argenine-rich) that can contribute to outbreaks and immune-suppression in general that I have eliminated as well.
I had a couple of URIs in the past few years. The first is what led me to using oil of oregano; got the second one when I stopped my daily oil of oregano usage due to other health concerns. When I got the second URI, I used a specific brand of aged garlic supplements to cure it.
The supplements also help strengthen immunity so I'm switching to those for continued immune system enhancement. The l-lysine worked well for me but I just feel like the garlic will work better for me overall at this point in my life.
What I've also found is that stress can add to higher occurrences of outbreaks as well as too much friction from "vigorous" or very frequent sex. Coconut oil really helps with the sex issue, both because it's good lubrication (not to be used with most condoms because it will degrade the material! ) and there's something in the coconut oil that fights viruses. (See the entries on genital herpes and coconut oil here on the site.)
My advice to people who are upset about having contracted the virus: get counseling to learn to handle the emotional roller coaster that might come with the diagnosis. Learn how to deal with stress through meditation, prayer, or whatever works.
You are NOT the virus. The virus is just an entity that co-exists in your body. It doesn't have to control your life. I know it's difficult getting the diagnosis but it's better to know you have it so you can take precautions not to pass it on to others.
L-Lysine
Posted by L J (Los Angeles, CA) on 10/28/2014
★★★★★
Hi girls, if you want to rid yourself of Herpes, take L - Lysine...the amino acid, it cures facial cold sores and also down below..although don't take it with L Arginine. They cancel each other out, , xoxo
L-Lysine
Posted by Novastar (Los Altos, Ca) on 02/18/2014 2 posts
★★★★★
Lysine definitely works but it unfortunately is not a cure for me, but it helps me manage the symptoms. If I know I have a stressful time coming or I have my menstrual time coming, I'll take one 1000mg per day to prevent. If I am feeling some irritation or flu like symptoms I'll take 3-4000mg. Nuts/ vegetarian diet is also contraindicated for this issue due to the arginine but only when my immune system is low. There have been times when I'm really living well that I can eat nuts or anything and don't even remember I have this but add in just a little stress and its recipe for disaster. Still searching for a more lasting cure...
L-Lysine
Posted by John (Tulsa, Ok) on 05/23/2012
★★★★★
I take 1000mg of l-lysine once or twice a week and that usually keeps the herpes virus under control. If I get really stressed out and get an outbreak then I will take 2000mg per day until it is gone. I works well for me.
L-Lysine
Posted by Sharon (Wesley Chapel, Fl) on 01/25/2010
★★★★★
Preventing herpes outbreaks
For those folks who need a simple, cheap, effective way to prevent herpes, take 1000 mg tablet of lysine once a day. TADA!- If you have an outbreak, you have to take it hourly until it subsides. Keep up the water to flush it out. If you get sick, double or triple your dose as the body uses up lysine so fast during illness or stress you will break out. For those folks who weigh in over 180 lbs, you need 2000 mg a day. Cheers, as this has worked for my family for 10 years.
L-Lysine
Posted by Barbara (Toronto, On, Canada) on 12/16/2009
★★★★★
L-Lysine for herpes
I have herpes that only occurs about once a year. I eat alot of citrus and don't stress out about it so for the entire 17 years I have had it I have only had about 6-8 breakouts. The first 12 years I had about four breakouts but the past few years it was more recurrent about once or twice a year, each bout lasting one to two days. Last year after my first major bout (my sore lasted six days and then I got another one right afterwards) I started to use L-lysine. I take 2 500 mg capsules 3-4 times a month, and everyday for a few days if I am feeling run down or stressed. I have had tingles since then ( it has been seven months but nothing so far.) I also use a common herpes prevention cream (abreva) for the tingles which really seems to help. I rub it on as soon as I feel any tingling and sometimes a few times and that really helps as well.
I feel confident this is the cure that will make my immune system strong enough to battle this ailment as I believe herpes can be cured with a strong healthy immune system and care.
L-Lysine
Posted by Okemah (San Diego, CA, US) on 09/22/2008
★★★★★
For over twenty years I've witnessed L-Lysine work for family, friends, neighbors,and recently nurses at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. Nurses claim they noticed it stunted the growth overnight. People with reoccurring fever blisters, cold sores, canker sores and I suppose herpes, too, may find relief. My mother, Nancy, had suffered with fever blisters in her youth. She felt they were triggered by stressful events in her life. And by paying attention to her own symptoms (nerve twitch in the area the blister intends to form) and taking L-Lysine she could keep the blisters from ever forming. Within an hour of feeling the twitch she would take no less than 3000mgs - 6000mg of L-Lysine and repeat treatment every two to three hours until bedtime. Upon rising she continued her assault until she had no symptoms (twitching nerve/nerves) for one complete day. Then she felt she had enough amino acids to squash its desire to produce. If she felt it again or felt one in another area she would slam another 3000-6000mgs to squash its desire as well. Everyone will find their own dosage through trial and error, too little and you'll blister, but keep taking the L-Lysine and you'll heal faster. Almost enough, a bump may form but not into an open sore. Always check dates for freshness because it has to be potent.The day before her mothers funeral she had 5 blisters, until then I never saw more than one. We eventually traced it back to her using an old bottle that had little or no potency. Some may require less and some seem unable to be honestly consistent with their dosages to squash the sore. Pound it down, we say, 1000mg tablets, yes they are big. If you prefer there are also 500mg tablets, available. It works!
L-Lysine
Posted by Erin (Huntington Beach, CA) on 09/17/2008
★★★★★
It really works, take L-Lysine at the first sign of an outbreak for herpes/ canker sores and it will stop it from coming out.
L-Lysine
Posted by SydAus (Sydney, Australia) on 04/01/2008
★★★★★
I contracted herpes several years ago and after the first outbreak all the other ones have been mild and only happend 3-4 times a year, but suddenly last week I did get quite a strong outbreak, still not as bad as the first one, but quite major. Its already subsided after 4-5 days as I have been megadosing on Vitamin C and most importantly Lysine. 6g of C and 4 g of lysine I would suggest that suppplimentation of lysine, around 1500-2000 mg every day forever will help with mitigating recurances.
L-Lysine
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 11/22/2007 490 posts
★★★★★
To SallySue from Chicago (ll/20/07) Hey, be happy that your diagnosis was herpes and not worse. For herpes, chicken pox, shingles or other virus, adults take 2grams L-Lysine (2000mgm) 4 times a day. Many viruses can recur, as anyone who has had a cold sore (herpes simplex) can tell you. If you restart the lysine at' the first sign of recurrence, it will be greatly improved the next day. I take L-lysine for colds, flu, cold sores, or any other viral ailment.
