Carissa edulis is an African herb or small tree that grows to between 2 and 5 meters high. The stem has a grey bark which yields milky sap. It yields edible fruits which are sweet. It is found in several parts of Kenya including the Rift Valley and Coastal regions.
Medicinal Uses
Root bark extracts of Carissa edulis have been used in Kenya for the treatment of herpes especially in the last few years although most communities unaware of its anti-herpes activity used it for several other common illnesses.
Phytochemistry
Phytochemical studies reveal that extracts of the root bark of the Carissa edulis plant contains three major bioactive compounds namely; carissol, oleuropein and lupeol. All the three components have been shown to have strong virucidal activity against drug-sensitive strains of Herpes simplex Virus. Olerupein is a powerful booster for immunity. Scientific research conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the University of Nairobi confirms that lupeol has virucidal activity against drug resistant strains of Herpes simplex virus.
Effectiveness and Advantages
Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that the root bark extracts of Carissa edulis have very low levels of cytotoxicity as compared to the conventional pharmaceutical drug for Herpes-Acyclovir.
Root bark extracts of Carissa edulis able to kill even the strains of Herpes simplex virus that are resistant to Acyclovir the conventional drug of choice for Herpes which confirms that it has a more effective mechanism of action.
Side affects
None
Recurrence of the virus in persons treated for the virus does not occur.