If you are one who leans towards the Natural way of dealing with herpes: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Anitra Thomas N.D.  MBR. A. N. T. A. Computer Health Checks Magnetic Field - Laser Injuries - Acupunture Health Problems Herpes Expert Massage Diet Counselling Bowen Anitra Thomas is a naturopath who has considerable experience in both living with this virus and the non chemical management of it.  Herbal medicines to balance the immune system can be used very successfully.  You can phone Anitra on 0401 238142, or via email  anitra_ths@optusnet.com.au  (there is an _ between anitra and ths)  or just click on the address.  UPDATE as at Oct 2003 Anitra will be leaving Brisbane to live in Maryborough. You can reach her on 0401238142. Her email address is the same.  Also find Natural approaches by Anitra below... ------------------------------------------------------------------  Message from Anitra As science comes to understand the immune system's role in regulating diseases, it has come to light that the Thymus gland (a cluster of lymphatic tissue in the middle upper chest) are produced T Helper 1 and T Helper 2 cells which in turn secrete cytokines (cells which control immune reactions). T H 1 and T H 2 need to be in balanced state for normal immune reactions and surveillance to occur. In HIV T cells are monitored as a marker in progression to AIDS. When T H 1 rises in relation to T H 2, tissue specific diseases result such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel to name a few. When T H 2 rises natural killer cells are inactivated and the person becomes susceptible to inflammatory allergic disorders, cancers, chronic bacterial and viral infections: eg, hepatitis, herpes, EBV, HIV, TB, CFS, asthma and eczema etc.    As a consequence of this research many exciting new approaches are being developed to treat these disturbances. So what causes this imbalance to occur? The usual assaults on the human frame: Heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, radiation, high stress loads, critical nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. Interestingly low zinc causes a T H 1 deficiency resulting in a rise of T H 2. Zinc has always been known as critical nutrient in herpes management. The above information gives a clear indication why. This also makes the issue of stress activating latent herpes more understandable. Stress causes a shift towards inflammation and the then dominance of T H 2. A number of herbal plants have been found to have a strong stabilising affect on the thymus glands secretions of T H 1 and T H 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------