Natural Cures for Cold Sores

Cold sores are small painful blisters or ulcers that occur around the lip, gums and nose area, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once a person gets cold sores, the virus can remain dormant in the body and it isn't unusual for the sores to reappear regularly over the next few years especially during those times when they feel anxious, stressed or run down.

Some people will develop immunity to the infection. Cold sores are contagious and therefore care should be taken not to pass on the infection to others.

Often a tingling sensation can be felt just before the cold sore appears and if preventative action is taken the moment this occurs this can help prevent the cold sore from developing.

Preventative Action to Avoid Cold Sores

Vitamin supplements that might help fight the cold sore virus include: A, B3, B-complex, C and E. You might try taking 500 mg amino acid lysine twice a day to inhibit viral growth.

You can also boost your lysine intake by eating more potatoes, yogurt, fish, meat, beans and eggs. Avoid foods rich in arginine such as peanuts, seeds, cereal grains and chocolate.

When you feel symptoms begin, try applying earl grey tea to the developing cold sores or mix cooled black coffee with some vodka or gin and apply with a cotton bud.

Eat a healthy diet. Get sufficient rest and exercise. You might also strengthen your immune system by taking garlic, ginseng and liquorice.

Herbal remedies for cold sores

~Apply dandelion and marigold tincture and cold tea onto cold sore

~Apply lemon balm cream

~Crush some marigold flowers and dab the liquid from the crushed flowers onto cold sore with a cotton bud

~Echinacea to help boost the immune system

~St John's Wart: Apply tincture onto area as soon as you feel the tingling sensation that warns of a cold sore developing

Natural Cures for Cold Sores

~Mix an equal amount of lemon with water and apply directly on cold sore

~Press an ice cube against the cold sore for several minutes

~Stir half a teaspoon of powdered liquorice root into a cup of lukewarm water, hold in mouth, swish around for two minutes then spit out. Repeat twice a day until cold sores have healed

~Apply vitamin A or E oil or dab petroleum jelly or zinc cream onto cold sore with a cotton bud

~Apply Witch Hazel onto cold sores

Common Sense Measures to Avoid Spread of Cold Sore Virus

~Avoid all forms of skin contact including kissing

~Don't share towels, flannels or pillow cases

~Refrain from touching the blisters as they will spread. Wash hands after touching a cold sore once you have applied treatment

~Avoid touching your eyes as this could lead to a painful eye infection

~Consider possible triggers of the cold sore; if for instance they seem to occur when you're tired and over-worked, try to get more rest.

If a cold sore does not heal within a week or they occur frequently and become painful and severe, seek medical help.

Sources

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cold-sore/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/coldsores1.shtml

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cold-sores.htm

http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/home-remedy/cold-sores.html

http://www.tipking.co.uk/Health/Remedies/Cold_sores/