A natural look at treating STIs
Natural treatments are available on the market to combat some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The products have been specially formulated with pure oils with anti-viral properties and are applied to the infected area.
These natural remedies are mostly focused on treating genital warts, anal warts, molluscum contagiosum and herpes.
American company Healing Natural Oils states on their website that their formula works from the root of the wart with the healing process taking anywhere from two to six weeks.
The warts may get larger or turn white as the formula draws them out of the skin. They will then begin to flake and disappear, leaving no scarring, the website said.
Many of our customers have warts burned off or surgically removed, some have used acid and other types of drugs. Unfortunately their warts grow back again. After using our Heal Warts formula the same warts do not reappear.
Naturopath and nutritionist Gerard Elms, from The Elm Tree, believes that some herbal and nutritional medicines can be used alongside conventional treatments to speed recovery and prevent a recurrence but the use of natural medicines should always be discussed with both your GP and your naturopath.
Natural treatments are not more effective than conventional medicines at treating STIs, Elms said.
However, natural treatments are aimed at treating the underlying causes of infection such as low immune function, rather than just the symptoms, and therefore can be better at preventing a recurrence.
If you decide to try one of the natural treatments it’s important to find out which essential oils are in the product as irritation can occur.
Some essential oils such as tea tree oil and lemon balm oil have been found to have antiviral properties, however, using pure essential oils on sensitive areas such as the genitals may result in irritation and should be avoided, he said.
An alternative to using these essential products is antiviral herbal medicines. Elms said conditions respond well to garlic and immune-boosting herbal medicines such as Echinacea or Astragalus combined with immune-boosting supplements like zinc and vitamin C.
info: If you’re interested in seeing the range of natural treatments out there visit amoils.com. If you want to take a natural approach to STI treatment, speak to Gerard Elms beforehand. He can be contacted at the Wholistic Medical Centre in Surry Hills on 9211 3811 or visit theElmtree.com.au
