Home Remedies For Cold Sores

Most of you reading this will already have suffered from cold sores and know that they first appear as blisters below the surface of the skin.

These fluid filled pockets appear on and/or around the mouth and lips.

They can be pretty painful over the course of the 7 to 10 days they last, breaking open, oozing and crusting over.

Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies for cold sores which can help!

The Cold Sore Virus

The majority of adults that have been tested, test positive for the virus that causes these cold sores. Mostly, they don’t get the cold sore symptoms but, those that do generally have to deal with recurring breakouts.

The virus which causes the cold sores is the herpes simplex virus HSV-1, HSV-2 can also cause cold sores.

After the initial breakout of the cold sore, the virus doesn’t leave the body, it lies dormant ready to strike again when conditions are right. Triggers can be:

• stress
• hormonal fluctuations
• surgery
• fevers
• illness
• sun exposure

Sometimes the breakouts are also accompanied by a fever, sore throat, aches and pains, and a headache.

Home Remedies For Cold Sores

Reduce Stress

If you look at the triggers above, stress is one of the main triggers responsible for breakouts¹. Stress can cause the herpes virus to come out of dormancy so it’s important to find tools that help you deal with stress such as:

• meditation
• regular exercise
• try and set aside leisure time to do something you enjoy every day
• keep your sense of humor
• don’t over-commit yourself
• prioritize all the tasks you feel you HAVE to do
• any projects, break into small steps. …
• delegate responsibility both within the family and at work
• eat a healthy diet
• consciously slow down your breathing

Lemon Balm

A member of the mint family, lemon balm can help to reduce the redness and swelling of a cold sore². Classed as an anti-viral, it doesn’t improve pain and scabbing but using a lip balm with at least 1% of lemon balm can help reduce time it takes your cold sore to heal.

Alternatively, using a compress soaked with a lemon balm infusion (tea) can provide similar benefits. Lemon balm may also help protect against future outbreaks.

Rhubarb and Sage

Yes, really! A study from 2001³ found that a topical cream made of rhubarb and sage may be as effective for the treatment of cold sores as the antiviral medication acyclovir (Zovirax).

In this study, rhubarb and sage cream helped to heal a cold sore within 6.7 days. Healing time with acyclovir cream was 6.5 days, and healing time using sage cream alone was 7.6 days.

Rhubarb and Sage Cold Sore Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of dried rhubarb root
• 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• A few drops of essential oil (such as tea tree oil or lavender oil for their antiviral properties)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Herbal Infusion:

   • In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
   • Reduce the heat and add the dried rhubarb root and dried sage leaves.
   • Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to create the herbal infusion.

2. Strain the Herbs:

   • After simmering, strain the mixture to remove the solid herbs, leaving behind a concentrated liquid.

3. Combine with Coconut Oil:

   • In a small, heatproof jar, combine the strained herbal infusion with coconut oil.
   • Stir well to ensure the oil and infusion are mixed thoroughly.

4. Add Essential Oil:

   • Once the mixture has cooled slightly, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil.
   • Mix gently to incorporate the oils.
5. Store and Use:
   • Pour your balm into a clean container, and let it cool completely.
   • Store in a cool, dark place and apply a small amount to the cold sore at the first sign of an outbreak.

Note: Always do a patch test before using any homemade remedies, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies. It’s also wise to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure this remedy is suitable for you.

Ice

A simple solution to help ease the discomfort of a cold sore outbreak. It won’t reduce the duration but offers symptomatic temporary relief. Most people keep ice in their freezers so it’s convenient as a quick fix.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is now widely available in health stores and you can also keep as a houseplant. Research has indicated that topical treatment of aloe vera for HSV 1 infections can be effective⁴ 

To use aloe vera for the treatment of cold sores you can:

• Purchase a high-quality aloe vera gel product and apply the gel three times a day until the lesion has dried
• Keep a couple of aloe vera house plants.
  • Break off a stem
  • slit down the center
  • scoop out the gel
  • apply as for aloe vera gel.
  • Any surplus should be stored in an airtight container and kept cool with no extremes of temperature. Best stored in the fridge

Remember to wash your hands before and after you apply the aloe vera gel to help prevent spreading the infection.

 More Home Remedies For Cold Sores

There are other remedies that people have used but, without the research to back up the claims. I’ll list them here and you can try them out for yourself:

• Vanilla (pure organic) – use a cotton swab and dab some on as soon as you feel the tingling.
• Licorice root powder or extract – 1 tablespoon mixed with a half teaspoon of water. Make a paste then dab a layer over the sore. Leave on overnight.
• Milk – soak a cotton wool ball and hold on the sore for a few minutes.
• Peppermint Oil (pure, good quality) – dampen a cotton ball with water then and a couple of drops of oil and dab on the sore.
• Cornstarch – 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and start with 1 teaspoon of fresh water. Gradually mix till you have a smooth paste adding more water as needed. Dab on before bed and leave overnight. Rinse off gently in the morning.
• Raw Garlic Clove – peel and cut a garlic clove in half. Rub directly on your cold-sore 3 x daily.

Prevent spreading a cold sore