Herbal mixtures containing the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum improve recovery time in patients with herpes genitalis and labialis

J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Nov;13(9):985-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.6297.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the time course for resolution of symptoms from recurrent herpes simplex viral infections after treatment with the herbal mixture WTTCGE [Wisteria floribunda, Trapa natans, Terminalia chebulae, Coicis lachryma-jobi, Ganoderma lucidum, Elfuinga applanata].

Methods: Fifteen (15) patients with herpes genitalis (49.3+/-12.0: mean+/-standard deviation age in years), and 13 patients with herpes labialis (43.7+/-12.9), were studied. All had been suffering from recurrent herpes outbreaks for more than 1 year, and had received regular outpatient treatment at other medical institutions without improvement.

Results: The herbal mixture, WTTCGE appeared to provide fast, effective relief from the symptoms of recurrent herpes genitalis and labialis. The mean duration before relief from herpes genitalis occurred was 10.9+/-6.3 days without WTTCGE treatment and 4.9+/-1.3 days with it (p<0.002). Similarly, the time required to obtain relief from herpes labialis was 7.8+/-4.3 days without WTTCGE treatment and 4.0+/-1.1 days with it (p<0.005).

Conclusions: Administration of WTTCGE to patients suffering from herpes genitalis and labialis appears to shorten the time required to obtain symptom relief as has been shown in a previous report.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / drug therapy*
  • Herpes Labialis / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Reishi*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal