Treat Cold Sores the Natural Way

The herpes simplex virus is the culprit for cold sores, those painful, unsightly fluid-filled blisters that appear around the mouth, lips or nose and eventually burst and crust over. Most people harbor herpes simplex, but the virus only causes problems at times of immune system compromise or when a person is physically or mentally run down.

C. Norman Shealy, M.D. in his book "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies" offers a number of home treatments for cold sores.

A very simple home remedy is a few drops of undiluted lemon juice applied to the cold sore a few times a day until it disappears.

Herbal treatments that you can try for cold sores include St. John's wort tincture applied at the first sign of an eruption. After cold sores develop, try myrrh tincture to dry them. Another choice is bergamot oil diluted in alcohol, which can be dabbed on cold sores to impede viral activity. Eucalyptus and tea tree oil, both antiviral agents, are also useful when applied to cold sores. Lavender oil heals blisters that have already erupted. Dian Dincin Buchman in her book "Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well" recommends the application of goldenseal powder to a cold sore.

Dr. Shealy suggests that if you want to try a homeopathic remedy, it's best to pursue treatment based on your general constitutional type. This involves a qualified homeopath analyzing your physical, emotional and psychological makeup. But once cold sores erupt, you can try various remedies, depending on your symptoms.

Nat. mur. is indicated if you have deep cracks in the lower lip, dry mouth, and puffy burning cold sores. Rhus tox. can be used if you develop mouth and chin sores and ulcers at the corners of the mouth. Sempervivum is good for ulcers in the mouth and bleeding gums. Capsicum is indicated for cracks at the corners of the mouth, pale lips, a chin rash, tongue blisters accompanied by bad breath. Graph. is a homeopathic remedy used to treat the soft mucous membranes of the mouth. Hep. sulf. is helpful in conditions involving a discharge, such as cold sores.

It's also very important to eat healthy foods and get enough vitamins and minerals. Whole grains, including cereals, brown rice and whole-wheat bread, as well as fruit, pulses (beans and lentils), nuts and seeds should be a regular part of your diet.

Make sure you take a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement with antioxidants for their immune activity. These include vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, manganese and copper. Vitamin C and zinc are especially effective in building up your immune system as well as being an antiviral and antifungal agent. Acidophilus can grow healthy bacteria in your gut to fight infections.

Remember that cold sores are highly contagious and infectious, so be careful to protect others by washing your hands frequently, using your own towel, and not sharing your eating utensils.