HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

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What Is HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) because more than 100 different varieties of the virus exist. A person contracts HPV by having sexual contact (vaginally, anally, or orally) with someone who has the virus. HPV usually causes warts to appear on certain parts of the body. Depending on the virus, warts may appear on the feet or, more commonly, on the neck or face. Certain strains of HPV, particularly those that affect the genital area, may lead to the development of cancers, but most do not.

Signs Of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

Sometimes HPV can self-resolve and people may not experience symptoms. A person's immune system can defeat the virus before warts occur. If the virus persists, the person commonly experiences warts, such as genital warts, or small bumps that form in clusters. The most common area where warts appear in women is the vulva, but the anus or cervix can also be affected. Men commonly experience warts around the penis, scrotum, anus, or the general groin area. Symptoms of HPV can include:

Genital Warts (small flat lesions or bumps that appear in the genital or groin areas of men and women)
Flat Warts (flat-topped, slightly raised lesions that are darker than your skin and can appear anywhere on the body)
Plantar Warts (hard, grainy warts that appear on the heels or balls of the feet)
Common Warts (rough, raised bumps that occur on the hands, fingers or elbows)

What Causes HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

A person usually gets infected with HPV when he or she has sexual contact with someone who has HPV. Because HPV is a skin-to-skin infection, intercourse is not required to contract the infection. Genital HPV infections are commonly contracted through vaginal or anal sex, or by skin-to-skin contact in the genital region. In rare occasions, a mother can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth. Other causes are listed below.

Sexual Contact (most commonly during vaginal or anal sex)
Skin-to-Skin Contact (the virus can enter through a small cut or abrasion on the skin)
Weakened Immune Systems
Personal Contact (touching someone's warts, or touching surfaces like public showers or swimming pools, where people with HPV have been/touched)
During Childbirth (rare occasions)

Dherbs Approach...adjusting your diet is always key!

Natural Remedies

If you or your partner have HPV, the most effective way to not pass the infection is to abstain from sexual contact. Try to avoid skin-to-skin contact with warts because the infection can enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin. To decrease the chances of getting HPV, avoid having sexual contact with multiple partners at a time. Always ask if the sexual partner has HPV or any other STD to be safe.
You may not think a healthy diet can help treat HPV, but eating healthily can help boost the immune system, making it more capable of combating infections. Maintaining a diet comprised of raw nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, lots of water, probiotics, and wheatgrass can be very beneficial because all of those provide the body with essential nutrients in their purest forms. Avoid eating meat, processed foods, dairy, sugar, salt, alcohol, and smoking because these substances can cause the bacteria to spread.
Establishing a neutral pH balance in your body can help decrease symptoms of HPV. You can do this by eating a diet rich in alkaline foods (dark leafy greens, sprouts, cabbage, beets, broccoli, onions, garlic, parsley, mushrooms, leeks, cauliflower, eggplant, or carrots, among many other fruits and vegetables). You can also mix 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar in 8oz of water once a day to neutralize your body's pH level.
Raw garlic is a fantastic herbal remedy because it has incredible anti-bacterial properties. While consuming raw garlic cloves is optimal for the most benefits, you can incorporate garlic into your meals to reap its benefits. You can also put raw garlic into smoothies or you can juice it. Pair it with ginger and dark leafy greens for a nutrition packed smoothie/juice.
Consuming goldenseal and echinacea increases the strength of the immunse system. Both of these have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory substances, which can help to get rid of HPV.
Tea tree and oregano oils are powerful antimicrobial agents that have disinfective, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use both oils as topical remedies to the affected area(s) of the body. These oils also boost immunity, which helps combat the infection.
Going herbal can be a fantastic choice because many herbs can boost the body's immune system and help combat the HPV infection. Go for herbs that have anti-viral properties. These include ginger, turmeric, astragalus, thuja, mushroom extract, olive leaf, or Pau d'Arco.

Things you should eat