Cold Sore Remedies – A Natural and Effective Solution
Cold sores are common in the winter season and several people suffer
from them. But what causes cold sores and what can be done to treat
them? Cold sores are painful, fluid filled blisters, and they always
occur on the gum or on the lips, or on the roof of the mouth. Mainly
caused by the Herpes Simplex virus these blisters are contagious and
there exist pain for up to two days before the appearing of the cold
sore. This problem generally finishes in a week or so, and sometimes
this problem is confused with the skin canker sores. But this is not as
contagious as the first one, and canker sores produce painful ulcers in
the soft tissue of the mouth, such as the tongue and the wall of the
mouth.
 Cold sores can be treated using natural remedies which have no side
effects.
Lysine is available as supplements or ointments. Supplements
containing 1000 mg of lysine shorten the duration of the cold sores.
Research has showed that in 87 percent of patients, treated with Lysine
ointment was completely cured of the cold sores within six days. Lysine
is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the body and is
normally ingested through food or supplements. It helps to produce
infection fighting antibodies so essential to inhibit the spread of the
Herpes Simplex virus that causes the cold sores. Food containing lysine
includes red meat, eggs, cheese, milk and fish besides other items.
Lemon balm has the necessary anti viral properties so essential for
fighting the virus that causes cold sores. Healing time is reduced to 5
days from the ten days that such cold sores generally require to heal.
Regular application of the lemon balm is also known to reduce the
frequency of occurrence. The virus is known to lie dormant in hosts and
recur when conditions are favorable for it.
Reishi is a type of mushroom that has traditionally been used in
Asian medicine and does not allow the spread of the herpes virus.
Extract of this mushroom is available in tablet form and a dosage of 600
mg twice a day is known to be very effective for cold sores. The herb
Astralagus, used in traditional Chinese medicine and as an accompaniment
to Reishi improves the immunity of the person who has fallen prey to the
herpes virus. A word of caution is necessary regarding reishi. It delays
blood clotting and is therefore contra indicated for any persons who
have such related problems with blood clotting.
 Resveratrol is a compound found in abundance in red grapes and has
proved during clinical trials to be effective against the Herpes Simplex
virus that causes cold sores. A cream containing Resveratrol applied up
to five times a day on cold sores suppressed their development if care
was taken to start the treatment within six hours of being infected by
the herpes that causes the cold sores. The advantage of this cream is
that there are practically no side effects and clinical safety is
guaranteed.
Peppermint oil has the property that it penetrates the skin and has a
direct effect on the herpes virus that is causing the cold sores. It is
easily absorbed into the skin and overdosing with this oil has to be
guarded against. Peppermint oil should never be taken orally.
These are just a few of the natural remedies that are effective in
the treatment of cold sores caused by the herpes virus. There are others
which have proved just as effective. Natural remedies have never any
substantive side effects and can be safely used. Consulting a medical
practitioner is advised if the patient is already undergoing treatment
for other long term diseases as some of these natural ingredients may
cause diverse reactions.
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