How to Reduce Cold Sores Naturally

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (38 Ratings)

No cure exists for herpes simplex type I virus, which causes cold sores, but here are some natural ways to stimulate blisters to heal quickly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Zinc
  • Goldenseal
  • Tea Tree Oils
  • L-lysine
  • Echinacea
  • Vitamin C
  • The amino acid L-lysine
  • Antioxidant vitamins
  • Echinacea and goldenseal

Step1
Take supplements that inhibit viral growth at the first sign of an outbreak. Try 500 to 1,000 mg daily of the amino acid L-lysine. Antioxidant vitamins and 50 to 100 mg of zinc per day may also help.
Step2
Boost your immune system. Take echinacea and goldenseal and get 5,000 mg vitamin C daily. Get plenty of rest and reduce stress.
Step3
Treat the cold sore topically. Dab tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, at either full or half strength directly on blisters several times a day.
Step4
Promote healing by avoiding foods that contain arginine, another amino acid that suppresses lysine; nuts, dairy products, meat, seeds, oats, peanuts and corn all contain arginine. Limit citrus and other acidic fruits because they can irritate blisters.

Tips & Warnings

  • Over-the-counter preparations for topical use on cold sores are available.
  • L-lysine also comes in a cream.
  • Limit use of goldenseal to one week or less, and avoid it entirely if you are allergic to ragweed.
  • Avoid things that can provoke outbreaks, like overexposure to wind and sun.
  • See a doctor immediately if you think the infection has spread to your eyes.
  • Cut back or divide up the daily dosage of vitamin C if it causes diarrhea.
  • If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments

| View All Comments
Flag This Comment

on 1/14/2008 Check out LicoriceBHT.com it has a compilation of articles . Herpecin-L and Lysine are a cover, Ear wax is Insane. Rubbing alcohol is for sadists.. Licorice root or the GA extract from it (Vitamin shop) and BHT a food preservative wil KILL the dormant cell and STOP th eoutbreaks.

Flag This Comment

on 12/25/2007 it is true! 1 in 4 people contracted herpes and begin to date again on some std dating site http://herpesmates.com

Barrebob

Barrebob said

Flag This Comment

on 12/20/2007 Household Bleach - applied with a Q-tip as soon as you feel the tingle of an impending cold sore has worked for me on occasions when liquid ViraMedX was not available. Dabbing the sores with the bleach seems to work almost as well! This was recommended to me by a 90 year old woman who has done this for years - so it obviously doesn't kill you!

Flag This Comment

on 12/3/2007 Go to the American Science Journal Online: Write Licorice and BHT (food preservative). They will send you to a link about how they kill the inner membrane and remove it forever. I was once ever month, now i'm 3 months good. We shall see: I take Licroice, Super Antioxidant(b12 and such), advanced acidophilus, and the BHT.

Flag This Comment

on 12/3/2007 Go to the American Science Journal Online: Write Licorice and BHT (food preservative). They will send you to a link about how they kill the inner membrane and remove it forever. I was once ever month, now i'm 3 months good. We shall see: I take Licroice, Super Antioxidant(b12 and such), advanced acidophilus, and the BHT.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Reduce Cold Sores Naturally

eHow Health Editor

eHow Health Editor

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.