Herpes – Inhibition by BHT and Hypericin

BHT and hypericin, two substances available from nutritional supplement distributors, have each shown antiviral activity against herpes viruses and other viruses having lipid envelopes. The antiviral properties of both of these compounds have been investigated scientifically, but the antiviral properties of the combination of the two has so far not been studied except by individuals experimenting on themselves.

Since their mechanisms of antiviral action are different, BHT and hypericin probably act synergistically in the body – that is, their combined effects should be much greater than the effects of either one alone. Each appears to disrupt the lipid envelopes that herpes viruses must have in order to be infective, but BHT does so by dissolving in the envelope and lowering its cohesiveness, whereas hypericin damages the functionality of certain components of the envelope that are required for viral assembly.

Hypericin‘s antiviral effects require that the compound be exposed to light while in the body. Visible light, especially in the orange-to-green wavelengths, appears to be the most effective. UV light also activates hypericin, but carries a higher risk of side effects. Exposure to too much sunlight while using hypericin can cause severe rashes, blistering, and skin damage.

It has been suggested that the antiviral action of hypericin (which involves the generation of free radicals) might be reduced by BHT (which is a quencher of free radicals). Would such a reduction in antiviral activity be large or small compared with the synergistic action of the two compounds? It would probably be quite small, because the compounds would be present in the body in low concentrations. This means that their interactions with each other would be rare events as compared with their interactions with cellular and viral components.

What would a regimen of BHT and hypericin for herpes infections consist of? A reasonable way to start would be to use the two compounds in the same way they are used individually. BHT would be started at 250 mg/day (or less, if possible), and ramped up over a period of a week to no more than 1000 mg/day. Meanwhile, hypericin would be started at 1 mg/day, and ramped up to no more than 10 mg/day. Doses in excess of these amounts should be supervised by a physician. In addition, the parts of the body affected by herpes should be exposed to a bright fluorescent light to activate the hypercin.

Some people have had severe reactions to light when using hypericin. To prevent this, the initial exposure should be only for a few minutes, and then increased gradually over a period of a week or two. In addition, exposure to sunlight should be kept to an absolute minimum.

The reader should bear in mind that these suggestions and precautions are based only on common-sense, and that no actual data is available to support them. As appealing as this combination regimen seems, it does carry unknown risks.