What natural remedies are used for cold sores?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Known to reduce healing time and, in some cases, prevent cold sores from coming back, lemon balm is a calming herb with antimicrobial properties. Look for lemon balm cream, ointment or supplements. You can also buy the herb itself, brew it as a tea and apply it with a cotton ball to a sore.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulKnown to reduce healing time and, in some cases, prevent cold sores from coming back, lemon balm is a calming herb with antimicrobial properties. Look for lemon balm cream, ointment or supplements. You can also buy the herb itself, brew it... More -
American Dental Association answered:Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce these kinds of viral infections.Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce these kinds of viral infections. More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:There is very little research that suggests fever blisters or cold sores can be effectively healed with natural products. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can come and go throughout a lifetime. They may be triggered by stressful events, changes in the immune system, or by some other unknown factors. Natural remedies or alternative treatments may be just a shot in the dark at trying to modify the infection just enough to decrease its duration or sensation. Here are some natural treatments some people have used for cold sores:
*Herbal extracts that are thought to have antiviral affects
*Tea tree oil
*Lemon balm
*Red clover
*Samento
*Grapefruit seed extract (GSE)
*Any skin ointment or cream that contains lysine
*Olive leaf tincture
*SPF 15 sunscreen on areas where breakouts occur (if a person's cold sores are known to be triggered by sun damage)
There is very little research that suggests fever blisters or cold sores can be effectively healed with natural products. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can come and go throughout a lifetime. They may be triggered by stressful... More -
Lisa Marie Rosati answered:Most know how painful and annoying a cold sore can be. Being run down or immunocompromised seems to trigger an outbreak so... lifestyle changes will be necessary to help you function in an energized, healthy and herpes free way!
Here are a few natural remedies for suppressing and treating Herpes outbreaks:
- Reduce or remove sugar from your diet.
- Rest when you're feeling run down instead of pushing yourself too far.
- Take Echinacea Tincture: 1/4 teaspoon 3x daily for three months. Whenever you have an outbreak of herpes, take the tincture in 1/4 teaspoon amounts every hour.
- Take L-lysine 500 mil daily for 3 months. During outbreaks take high doses ( 2,000 mil- 3x daily) until symptoms are gone.
- For Neuralgia or Pain put St. Johns Wort Oil on the sores topically and/or take St. John Wort tincture internally.
- Eat a diet rich in calcium and B vitamins, yogurt, kefir, nutritional yeast, spirulina and miso.
- Begin a stress management practice such as meditation. In my experience stress triggers outbreaks!
- External Relief- different cases respond to different treatments try:
- Aloe Vera Gel brings cooling relief
- A mixture of green volcanic clay, golden seal and myrrh powder. Mix into a paste with water and aloe vera gel and spread over blisters.
- Herbal Salve made with Comfrey, St. Johns Wort and Calendula.
For genital herpes relief try plain yogurt mixed with acidophilus. Mix together and apply to the blisters. It will help to heal them. It may sting a bit at first when it’s applied.
Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulMost know how painful and annoying a cold sore can be. Being run down or immunocompromised seems to trigger an outbreak so... lifestyle changes will be necessary to help you function in an energized, healthy and herpes free way! Here are a few... More -
Dr. Todd Welch answered:Commonly referred to as "canker sores," recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) now can be treated by licorice root extract, according to a study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry.
The authors examined the effects of an over-the-counter medicated adhesive patch (with extract from the licorice root) for treatment of RAU versus no treatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who received the adhesive patch with licorice extract was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment group had increased 13 percent.
Licorice root extract was used as a prescribed treatment for gastric ulcers until the 1970s, according to the study. In its original form, licorice root extract has a very strong taste. However, when combined with a self-adhering, time-release, dissolving oral patch, the taste is mild and pleasant.
Commonly referred to as "canker sores," recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) now can be treated by licorice root extract, according to a study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry. The authors examined the effects of an over-the-counter... More
