I want you to try an exercise for me.
The next time you find yourself alone in front of a mirror, look at yourself. Notice your eyes, your lips, the way your hair falls. Notice the dips in your lips and the speckles in your eyes’ irises. Revel in your beauty for a minute and then tell yourself outloud “I have herpes.”
Say it over and over. In between you also say something awesome about yourself. Try to smile each time.
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes and it doesn’t matter.”
Each time should be a little less scary, a little less shameful or embarrassing. Then close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and end it all with a big smile.
The more you begin to accept your condition, the more you’ll be able to cope and be happy with yourself.
Seriously, give it a try and tell me how it goes. :)
Know the truth and get tested. You have to specifically say, “I want to get tested for the herpes virus.”
If you haven’t, and you think you’re clean from all STDs, you should probably check again.
Friend Suzie (who knows of my HSV+ status) sent me this link last week, which touts the benefits of green tea for a number of ailments. You know I’m all about the home remedies and such.
The article doesn’t actually say anything about green tea + herpes, but my Glitter Sponsor has recommended it for its soothing properties on more than one occasion. For relief of discomfort during a herpes outbreak:
- Brew green tea
- Squeeze tea bag
- Apply tea bag to angry bits
????Profit- Feel better
I mean this makes sense. From the article:The useful parts of green tea are the leaf bud, leaf, and stem. Green tea is not fermented and is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. During this process, it is able to maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which seem to be responsible for many of the benefits of green tea.
Polyphenols might be able to prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between the bones, and lessen joint degeneration. They also seem to be able to fight human papilloma virus (HPV) infections and reduce the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Research cannot yet explain how this works.Emphasis mine. Herpes outbreaks can cause inflammation and swelling, which is why the doctor will suggest ibuprofin. Green tea fights those symptoms naturally.
Did you catch that cool bit about HPV, though?
Likely effective for… Genital warts. A specific green tea extract ointment (Veregen, Bradley Pharmaceuticals) is FDA-approved for treating genital warts.
A little more specific:
Some women use green tea to fight human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts, the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia), and cervical cancer.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
- For human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the cervix: green tea ointment alone or in combination with oral green tea extract, twice weekly for 8-12 weeks.
- For genital warts: a specific green tea extract ointment (Veregen, Bradley Pharmaceuticals) providing 15% kunecatechins applied three times daily to external warts for up to 16 weeks has been used.
If you have HPV, look into treatments rooted in green tea!
I haven’t even finished reading it. My chest is all tight. The Hairpin posted a piece by someone who has HSV1 genitally. The first part is about Having The Talk.
Edit: Finished reading. Take away quote?
Telling people about it still isn’t easy or fun, but it’s my own magic Hogwarts-esque sorting hat. If a guy freaks out, he’s not meant to be in my house.
Or I in his.
Friend Suzie (who knows of my HSV+ status) sent me this link last week, which touts the benefits of green tea for a number of ailments. You know I’m all about the home remedies and such.
The article doesn’t actually say anything about green tea + herpes, but my Glitter Sponsor has recommended it for its soothing properties on more than one occasion. For relief of discomfort during a herpes outbreak:
- Brew green tea
- Squeeze tea bag
- Apply tea bag to angry bits
????Profit- Feel better
I mean this makes sense. From the article:The useful parts of green tea are the leaf bud, leaf, and stem. Green tea is not fermented and is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. During this process, it is able to maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which seem to be responsible for many of the benefits of green tea.
Polyphenols might be able to prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between the bones, and lessen joint degeneration. They also seem to be able to fight human papilloma virus (HPV) infections and reduce the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Research cannot yet explain how this works.Emphasis mine. Herpes outbreaks can cause inflammation and swelling, which is why the doctor will suggest ibuprofin. Green tea fights those symptoms naturally.
Did you catch that cool bit about HPV, though?
Likely effective for… Genital warts. A specific green tea extract ointment (Veregen, Bradley Pharmaceuticals) is FDA-approved for treating genital warts.
A little more specific:
Some women use green tea to fight human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts, the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia), and cervical cancer.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
- For human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the cervix: green tea ointment alone or in combination with oral green tea extract, twice weekly for 8-12 weeks.
- For genital warts: a specific green tea extract ointment (Veregen, Bradley Pharmaceuticals) providing 15% kunecatechins applied three times daily to external warts for up to 16 weeks has been used.
If you have HPV, look into treatments rooted in green tea!
I want you to try an exercise for me.
The next time you find yourself alone in front of a mirror, look at yourself. Notice your eyes, your lips, the way your hair falls. Notice the dips in your lips and the speckles in your eyes’ irises. Revel in your beauty for a minute and then tell yourself outloud “I have herpes.”
Say it over and over. In between you also say something awesome about yourself. Try to smile each time.
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes”
“I have herpes and it doesn’t matter.”
Each time should be a little less scary, a little less shameful or embarrassing. Then close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and end it all with a big smile.
The more you begin to accept your condition, the more you’ll be able to cope and be happy with yourself.
Seriously, give it a try and tell me how it goes. :)
