Natural Cold Sores Remedies

Cold Sore Remedies And Definition

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:37:51 +0000

Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouth. They’re caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. There may be pain or tingling one to two days before the cold sores appear.

Cold sores generally clear in seven to ten days. They’re sometimes confused with canker sores, which are not contagious but produce small, painful ulcers in the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the tongue and the walls of the mouth.

Natural Cold Sores Remedies

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:33:45 +0000

Here are eight natural cold sores remedies that are used for the treatment of cold sores.

•Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that we must get it through food or supplements because the body can’t make it on its own. It’s used to make protein, which we need to produce infection-fighting antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and body tissues. Lysine has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus.

Although we get lysine through food sources such as red meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wheat germ, brewers yeast, and fish, what appears to be most important is the ratio of lysine to another amino acid, arginine. They compete with each other for absorption in the intestines, so the less arginine there is in the diet, the more lysine is absorbed. Foods that are rich in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, and almonds.

In addition to these temporary dietary changes:

•Lysine supplements (e.g. 1,000 mg taken three times a day) may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.

•Lysine ointment – a pilot study by the Southern California University looked at the effectiveness of a lysine-containing ointment in 30 people. Researchers found that the ointment produced full resolution in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87 percent by the end of the sixth day. No adverse effects were reported.

•Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used on regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences.

•Reishi and Astragalus
Reishi, also called Ganoderma lucidum is a type of mushroom that has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine to strengthen the immune system.

Preliminary evidence shows that reishi may inhibit the spread of the herpes virus. A typical dose is 600 milligrams once or twice a day.

Reishi is available in powder or supplement form. Reishi can delay blood clotting, so consult your doctor before taking reishi if you are taking aspirin, warfarin (coumadin), or any other medications or supplements that interfere with clotting.

In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is often used in conjunction with a herb called astragalus. Astragalus has been found to improve immune function in people with herpes simplex keratitis.

•Resveratrol
Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in red grapes, has been shown to be active against the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies.

A study by the Northeastern Ohio University demonstrated that resveratrol cream applied topically two, three, or five times a day effectively suppressed cold sore development if it was applied one or 6 hours after infection with the herpes virus.

Resveratrol cream was also found to be as effective as 5% acyclovir ointment (Zovirax). Resveratrol cream also effectively suppressed cold sore formation in animals with herpes simplex infection that was resistant to acyclovir. No side effects were reported.

•Peppermint Oil
A study by the University of Heidelberg found that peppermint essential oil was found to penetrate the skin and have a direct virucidal effect againt the herpes simplex virus. Peppermint oil was also found to be active against an acyclovir-resistant strain of the herpes simpex virus.

Although it’s promising, peppermint oil shouldn’t be used until studies have established its safety. Peppermint oil is absorbed through the skin so even small amounts could be toxic. Peppermint oil should never be ingested.

•Propolis
Propolis, also called bee propolis, is a brownish, resinous substance. Bees collect it from poplar and conifer buds and use it “cement” their hives and keep them germ-free. It is sold in health food stores.

A study found that propolis was active against herpes simplex 1 virus. It is believed to work by preventing the virus from entering body cells and by blocking the replication and spread of the virus. For more information about propolis, read the Propolis Fact Sheet.

•Self-Heal
The herb self-heal, also known as Prunella vulgaris is a perennial plant commonly found in China and Europe.

Extracts of this herb have been found to be effective against both herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses. It is also believed to work against acyclovir-resistant strains of the herpes virus.

•Echinacea – A study by the University of Ottawa found that echinacea is active against herpes simplex type 1.

•Black currant – An extract of black currant, also known as Ribes nigrum or Kurokarin in Japan, was found to fight the herpes virus in laboratory studies.

•Rhubarb and sage cream – A German study examined rhubarb-sage cream compared to sage cream and Zovirax in 149 people with oral herpes cold sores. The combined topical sage-rhubarb preparation proved to be as effective as topical aciclovir cream and tended to be more active than the sage cream.

•Undaria pinnatifida – known as wakame in Japan, undaria is a type of seaweed that has been found as natural cold sores remedies to improve the healing time and reactivation of herpes infections.

Homemade Cold Sore Remedies

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:27:53 +0000

Homemade cold sore remedies: Lemon

One of my most favorite home remedies for cold sore is definitely lemon. Lemon has been used to stop fever blisters or cold sores over decades in Europe. You can cut a small slice of lemon and place it either on your cold sore and leave it there as long as you can. Change it as often as possible with a fresh slice.

This home remedy for cold sores should be used as a treatment at the beginning of an outbreak and not on open sores or crusts. This remedy has successfully helped me to abort herpes outbreaks several times. Whenever I felt a strong itch I placed a slice of lemon just where the fever blister should have appeared and after a few hours the itching stopped and that was it.

It may be a little inconvenient for oral herpes as you don’t want to be walking all day with a slice of lemon hanging from your face but it is surely helpful at night and you can use a very thin and discreet piece of lemon. It will still work as long as you change it regularly.

If you’re at work and you feel uncomfortable walking around with a slice of lemon on your face all day, you can fill a little perfume spray with lemon juice and spray it several time on your face during the day.

You may also drink a good lemon juice in the morning. It’s very good for general health and can give you an extra boost to prevent or treat cold sores. For example, I take up to 4 lemon juices in a glass of water per day when I have a cold and it usually disappears in 24 hours. Try to drink your lemon juice in between meals for best results.

Vitamin C is a great cold sore remedy and disease fighter.If you want to get a lot of vitamin C from your lemon, eat it raw with the white part of the lemon peel left on it. That’s where most of the vitamin C of your lemon is stored. Eat it slowly. I admit it is unpleasant but so efficient. It really boosts the immune system.

Home remedies for cold sores: Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest home remedies for cold sores, herpes and wounds in Europe. But its potential as a treatment extends far beyond herpes and apple cider vinegar is still called a wonder drug by many.

It can be used topically to prevent fever blisters or cold sores from developing. It should not be used pure on open sores because it can sting a lot. Pour a few drops on a cotton ball and apply it on your cold sore or blister. You can also mix it with lemon juice to increase its potential.
You may also add a table spoon to your face lotion or toner. It will clear your skin from those horrible blackheads and prevent future cold sores.

I also recommend drinking one or two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per day in a glass of water at each change of season. It detoxifies and brings a lot of minerals to the body, helps with hair loss, bad teeth, skin disorders and so much more. It is a little acidic so don’t drink too much and start slowly with one to two teaspoons per day and increase gradually. I personally love apple cider vinegar. I hate the taste but I love the results. It’s very important that you use unheated preferably non-filtered organic apple cider vinegar if you want to get any valuable results.
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Home remedies for cold sores: Garlic

Garlic is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, killing bacteria, fungus, yeast, viruses and parasites. A scientific study has confirmed that garlic can destroy several virus types on contact including herpes type 1 and 2.

Herpes simplex-1 causes 80% of all oral herpes. So garlic could be very useful for cold sores except for the smell. You can use sliced garlic cloves. You may also want to eat it. But more than 2 raw garlic cloves at a time may ruin your stomach and will also give you “a breath to remember”.

Even though, it is unclear how garlic supplements act in the body many people with herpes have stopped several outbreaks by taking high doses of garlic extract. 900 mg of garlic day is a good start.
Garlic is one of the most powerful home remedies for cold sores. But it is not very convenient and can cause nausea and skin burns if taken raw.

Try to use mainly garlic extracts as a cold sore treatment when you feel the first signs of tingling. I prefer Garlinase Fresh because it contains very high levels of the most active garlic ingredient allicin and enzymes. It helps digest garlic easily and reduces bad breath

Home remedies for cold sores: Raw whole milk

Applying raw milk has been a well-known home remedy for cold sores for years. Now science has confirmed its potential. Indeed, raw whole milk contains a fat called monocaprin that can kill the virus on contact according to a recent study. So applying milk fat should be better that the milk itself. Whole milk is simple and easy to find. You may already have some in your kitchen as we speak. So why not give it a try next time you feel that nagging itch again.

I hope you’ll try some of these great home remedies for cold sores. Don’t use them all at once and don’t use raw garlic with anything else. But have some fun with them. They can come in handy when it’s sunday night and the closest open drugstore is miles away or when you’re on vacation and you left your favorite homemade cold sore remedies at home.