Cold Sore Remedies

Herbal and natural cold sore remedies are a great way to go when trying to get rid of these unpleasant blisters. Because cold sores happen in and around the mouth, it's a great idea to try remedies that won't be harmful or introduce lots of chemicals to your body.

Before you go about trying to treat a cold sore, it's good to know what exactly it is you're dealing with. A cold sore is a blister filled with fluid that is usually small and somewhat painful.

Cold sores can be found on the roof of the mouth, the lips or the gums and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They'll usually clear up on their own in about a week, but if you're having a lot of discomfort or simply want to try to speed along healing, cold sore remedies can help.

If your cold sores are painful you may want to try a remedy that numbs out the area, such as applying an ice pack. Putting ice on a sore (whether developing or fully formed) for five or 10 minutes each hour or when needed helps numb the area and may even slow the growth of a cold sore that's still in development.

Another treatment that may help lessen the pain is petroleum jelly. This may help moisturize and soften a cold sore scab, making it less painful and less prone to painful cracking and bleeding.

If you're looking for a way to make your cold sore go away faster, there are a variety of herbal supplements and natural remedies that you can try. One of the most popular is the amino acid lysine, which can help the body fight infection and has been shown to inhibit the spread of the herpes virus.

Supplements of lysine are available at health food stores, and you'll want to take about a gram (1,000 milligrams) a day for best results.

Another herbal option is soaking the affected area with a tea bag. The tannic acid found in tea (black tea is best for this application) has anti-viral properties that may inhibit infection if applied while the sore is still growing or that can speed healing.

Lemon balm is another great natural choice touted for its antiviral properties. A lemon balm cream can be used to help heal blisters, and regular use of the cream may prevent future outbreaks, making it a good option for people who have cold sores regularly.

Aloe vera gel is another good choice that can soothe the sores and help them heal. You could also try gargling with aloe vera juice when you feel a flare up (it's safe to drink as well, so don't worry if you swallow it).

Echinacea may also be helpful for the treatment of cold sores, since it is so effective on other infections and irritations. Another somewhat controversial option is peppermint oil, because the oil is absorbed through the skin and can be toxic. Until appropriate and safe levels of the oil are established, you shouldn't use it internally.

Just because you are using cold sore remedies does not mean you can't spread cold sores to others. The herpes simplex virus is very contagious, so if you don't want to pass it on to loved ones, avoid contact with their mouths and genitals while you still have symptoms.

Don't touch the affected area (apply any treatments with a cotton swab) and don't share food, drinks or towels with others during an outbreak.

Once you've had one outbreak you'll continue to have them throughout your life, so try to pay attention to what might trigger outbreaks for you, and do what you can to minimize stress and excessive tiredness, both of which may contribute to cold sore outbreaks.

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• Category:Herbal Remedies