Researchers reviewed 7 existing studies to compare two natural products—propolis (a resin from bees) and honey—against a standard antiviral cream (5% acyclovir) for treating herpes simplex outbreaks on the lips and genitals. The studies looked at how quickly lesions healed and how much pain people experienced.
The analysis found that using propolis or honey was linked to better outcomes than the acyclovir cream. On average, lesions healed about 1.9 days faster, and people were about 4.7 times more likely to have their lesions healed by day 7. People using the natural products also reported less pain and for a shorter duration. The review found no significant difference in side effects between the groups.
It's important to be careful with these results. This was a meta-analysis, which combines data from smaller studies. It shows a link, but doesn't prove the natural products caused the better healing. The analysis didn't report the total number of people in all the studies or specific details about the participants. While these natural products show promise as potential alternatives, more robust research is needed before they can be considered standard treatments. If you have herpes, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.