[Editor's note: Just in case you're new to Chinese Medicine, many herbs - like larrea -are outside of the traditional scope of Chinese Medicine... however, the Pulse of Oriental Medicine wants to pass on any alternative medicine information that might be helpful to you.]

Recently, the media spotlight has illuminated almost unbelievable statistics about the prevalence of viral infections in modern society. Surprisingly, the herpes virus is one of the most common. In fact, over 90% of the population harbors one or more herpes viruses in their body and may not even know of their "carrier" status.

Viruses can lay dormant in the body for years before exhibiting any symptoms. The chickenpox virus (herpes zoster) is an example of one that can infect us in the early years and then later in life be stimulated to cause shingles. The viral culprits usually live in the nerve roots and are triggered to "activate" during times of stress, immune compromise, disease or aging.

The chronic effects of subacute infection by these viruses are being convincingly linked with such conditions as coronary artery disease, lymphoma, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Usually not life-threatening to otherwise healthy adults, the herpes virus can result in physical conditions ranging from cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chronic fatigue syndrome to Kaposi's sarcoma. Conversely, herpes virus infections can become quite serious, sometimes life threatening, in immune compromised patients, people of advanced age or newborn babies.

One of the most devastating public health concerns among industrialized nations is sexually transmitted disease. The prevalence of Genital herpes, caused by HSV-2 is escalating worldwide. It is estimated that 31 million Americans are infected with the virus and 1 in 5 people over the age of 12 has genital herpes. Up to 1 million new HSV-2 infections may be transmitted annually in this country.

The traditional regimen for herpes virus conditions involves a course of pharmaceutical intervention. Unfortunately, for a significant number of individuals these drugs do not prove useful, especially in the case of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia.

In looking at alternative approaches to anti-viral treatments researchers in Arizona began investigating larrea tridentata, a desert plant that is abundant in North America. Historical information tells us that the shrub has been used by the Native American culture for centuries as a medical panacea.

Traditionally, larrea was used to treat infections, chickenpox, burns, rheumatism, bronchitis, and digestive disorders amongst a myriad of other condition. Larrea was truly the "medicine chest of the desert southwest". Physician and consumer use reports have verified historical use and Larreacorp's company laboratory data and clinical findings, which establish tremendous efficacy (greater than 95%) of the plant compounds to combat a number of conditions including; cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, Cytomegalovirus and other viral conditions. A wide array of phytochemicals, flavonoids and lignans show significant antioxidant effects as well as antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties and are responsible for the plant's medicinal activity. The Company has been awarded four patents (#6,039,955;#6,004,559;#5,945,106;#5,837,252) for the processing and utility of larrea tridentata, in treating viral and inflammatory diseases.

It is important to know that there is a cost-effective, natural alternative to synthetic pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of such prevalent diseases as cold sores, shingles and genital herpes. Larreacorp specializes in the research and development of over the counter, nutriceutical and cosmeceutical products to address viral and inflammatory disease. Since 1996 the Company's products have been recommended and used by healthcare practitioners and consumers to manage health.

Please refer to our web site at www.larreacorp.net to learn more about larrea and our company research. Larreacorp, Ltd. P.O. Box 6598, Chandler, AZ 85246, toll-free phone: 1-800-963-7310, phone: 480-963-7310, fax: 480-659-0125.