Cold sore remedies?

3 Comments so far

1. mystique_dragon4 | 29 August 2009, 01:57

   http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-for-cold-sores1.htm

   Folk

   Acidophilus Take four acidophilus capsules three or four times a day with milk. The milk is an activating culture medium for the bacilli. This will soothe the sore and speed up healing. If you do this when you feel a burning or itching at the onset of the cold sore, this remedy may inhibit the formation of the lesion.

   Aloe When the tingling starts, try rubbing juice from an aloe plant on the affected area. If you are traveling, take a bottle of aloe gel with you just in case a sore begins. This remedy is especially effective if used at the first sign of a cold sore, but will also stop it later on, too, and will begin the healing process immediately and keep the sore from "blossoming."

   Chaparral Native Americans used the herb chaparral (Larrea tridentata) as a remedy for colds and viruses, arthritis, burns, sores and other problems. Recently a company has patented a product called Larreastat derived from chaparral that has proven very effective in deactivating certain viruses, relieving inflammation and clearing up certain skin conditions. The product comes in capsules and a spray, which provides almost instant relief from cold sore pain.

   Cornstarch Apply a cornstarch paste.

   Camphor Have your pharmacist mix up some spirits of camphor and dab it on the sore with a cotton ball.

   DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) Dab it on the sores twice daily with your fingers or a cotton ball. It stops the growth of the virus by penetrating right to the center of the herpes infection.

   Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) – mix a few drops of GSE with aloe or another liquid, such as olive oil, and dab it on to the sore. GSE is very strong, so use sparingly!

   Ice Another method to ease the pain is to rub an ice cube on the sore for a few minutes. This is especially good to do at the onset of a cold sore. Apply ice every ten minutes for an hour. This process may prevent the movement of the virus from the nerve to the skin.

   Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) German studies indicated that an extract of lemon balm reduced symptoms and sped the healing process. See mint remedy below.

   Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum) has a long history of use by Native Americans. Research suggests that it may be effective against viruses and is a prime infection fighter. Use an extract instead of a tincture to avoid getting a full-body rash.

   * Combine equal parts of tinctures of echinacea, calendula, oats, burdock, and lomatium and take 1/2 teaspoon four or five times a day. This combination of herbs will boost the immune system, soothe inflamed tissues, remove toxins from the body, and kill viruses and bacteria.

   Lysine Many people have reported that taking the amino acid L-lysine has prevented or lessened the duration of their cold sores. Apparently, the herpes virus uses another amino acid, arginine, to grow and replicate while lysine inhibits the virus’ ability to replicate itself. Reduce your intake of arginine-containing foods as mentioned above. If you get sores frequently take 1,500 to 3,000 mg. daily as a preventive measure. When you feel a sore coming on, take 3,000 mg daily until the sore crusts over. Experiment with the dosage until you find one that inhibits recurrence by reducing the amount until you find the optimal maintenance dosage, perhaps to 300-600 mg. Lysine may also be applied topically to the sores. If you get a cold sore, taking lysine should shorten the time you have it considerably, generally within five days. Consult your medical practitioner regarding your intake of lysine, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. No amino acid in large doses should be taken for long periods of time. Take the lysine between meals, preferably on an empty stomach.

   Mint A topical application of an extract of the mint family herb Melissa officinalis will speed healing of the sore, often within five days.

   Myrrh Try a tincture of myrrh to relieve the pain.

   Sage Make a tea by adding two or three leaves to a cup of boiling water; steep; add one teaspoon of powdered ginger. Drink several cups a day until the sores are cleared up.

   Tea Steep an ordinary tea bag (preferably Earl Grey) in boiling water for a few minutes; cool; then apply to lesions. Within four or five days the lesions should crust over and disappear.

   Vaseline Vaseline will help ease cracking and dryness.

   Yogurt Yogurt is high in lysine. Most commercial yogurts however have gelatin (may induce a cold sore outbreak) as a thickener, so make sure you read the label! Natural food stores carry gelatin-free yogurts
   Homeopathic

   Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur) This is the first choice for cold sores around the lips and mouth, nose and chin. It’s especially useful in the early stages of herpes when the upper lip is swollen but no vesicle – or fluid-containing sac such as a blister – has appeared. You may also have dry, chapped lips, your mouth may be dry and you may be thirsty. Nat mur is indicated if the person is emotionally upset.

   Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy) The herpes that are relieved by Rhus tox usually burns and itches, and acrid fluid may seep from yellow vesicles. Rhus tox is effective for the tissue crusting that occurs with herpes. Can be used after Nat mur to finish off the cold sore.

   Sepia (cuttlefish ink) People needing sepia have herpatic eruptions around the lips, corners of the mouth and particularly around the nasal area with crusty eruptions inside and on the nose. People needing sepia often have dark circles under their eyes and are exhausted and depressed. Sepia is appropriate for cold sores that occur during pregnancy, before menses or in menopause.

   Dulcamara (bittersweet) People needing this remedy can have thick, brown herpatic crusts with reddish borders. These crusts can bleed when scratched. Dulcamara is appropriate for blisters that appear in clusters and ooze watery fluid. Glandular swelling, burning, stinging and itching sensations may be present. For people needing dulcamara, eruptions of herpes may occur after rain or sudden changes from warm to cold or damp weather. Eruptions are also more likely to appear around menses.

   Hepar sulphuris calcareum (calcium sulphide) This remedy is suitable for eruptions around mouth and lips, occasionally following the path of the nerves across the face or even around or into the eyes. Hepar sulph is needed particularly when herpes vesicles have become infected, indicated by formation of yellow pus. Hepar sulph is the main remedy for painful boils, pimples or abscesses. Hepar sulph can quickly control infection in most cases, averting the need for antibiotics.
   References :
   http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coldso.htm
   http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies.htm

2. blue eyes | 29 August 2009, 02:21

   Hydrogen Peroxide works for me. If you don’t have it you can pick it up for $1 at Walmart, Target or any Pharmacy.

   Also try salt water gargle.
   References :

3. deedee | 29 August 2009, 02:59

   the L-Lysine is great, valtrex will work the best but is very expensive, putting an ice cube on it will help speed up healing but will still take 3-4 days. u will also keep getting these now, it lays dormant then reappears.
   sorry
   References :