Treating Cold Sores with Home Remedies and Supplementation

Cold Sores can be treated with home remedies and supplementation, but a daily regimen geared towards strengthening the Immune System can help keep Cold Sores from ever breaking out in the first place. It is important to take measures to prevent the virus from becoming active, and to arm yourself with Cold Sore Remedies which help ease the pain and lessen the duration of the Cold Sores. 

Supplements like Vitamin B, Lysine, Echinacea, Reishi Mushroom and Zinc can strengthen your body’s natural defense systems.  It is vital to your health to find a personal regimen that includes supplementation not just for the prevention of viruses like Herpes, but for your overall well-being.

Vitamin B strengthens the nervous system which helps prevent breakouts.  It supports your immune system and is found in many supplements like Alacer Emer’gen-C Tangerine 30 pckts, and most Multivitamin supplements. 

Amino Acids like Lysine and Arginine also play a key role in the development of Cold Sores.  While Lysine is critical for growth and healing of body tissue, Arginine actually encourages outbreaks.  Arginine can be found in foods such as chocolate, nuts, peas, seeds, oatmeal, wheat products, gelatin, vegetables, and beans.  The more lysine you put into your blood, the less room there is to store Arginine.  Both are stored in the same part of the cell, but Lysine does not support new virus creation.  The Herpes Virus can not actually create a cold sore unless it has enough Arginine.  For this reason, some Cold Sore sufferers take up to 400 mg of Lysine a day when an outbreak occurs.     

Zinc and Echinacea both boost the immune system.  Zinc is a trace mineral that has been known to speed up healing process, and Echinacea also helps lessen the duration of colds and viruses like Herpes.  Both can be taken as part of a daily regimen, but are usually used at the earliest signs of sickness.

If this is not enough and a cold sore appears, Essential Oils like Grapefruit Seed, Grape Seed, Tea Tree Oil along with Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Chamomile, Sage and Witch Hazel all have topical healing powers and can cause great relief for suffering associated with Cold Sores.

Grapefruit Seed Oil helps mobilize the virus and make it harmless.  Tea Tree Oil is used to disinfect the sore and help dry it out.  Chamomile can reduce inflammation and disinfect the Cold Sore as well.  Try mixing 1 part essential oil to 8 parts water or Aloe Vera, and dab on skin with a q-tip.

Coconut Oil is also growing in popularity as an anti-viral for Cold Sore treatment.  The presence of Lauric acid causes the anti-viral and antibacterial properties.   Some people mix Coconut Oil with sage to form a paste which creates a home-made ointment that helps treat the Cold Sore.  Sage can also be ingested as a tea by boiling a few sage leaves with some ginger.

Witch Hazel is a great astringent for Cold Sores.  It has a drying effect which prevents further spread of the virus.  It can also be mixed with Aloe Vera to avoid the cracking associated with drying out a Cold Sore.  The aloe helps with the discomfort during the healing process.

Between 30-60% of children have the virus that causes Cold Sores by age 10.  In order to keep the virus dormant, you must take active steps towards suppressing this virus by keeping your body healthy inside and out.  Not only does this mean that you need to strengthen your immune and nervous systems, you also have to avoid triggers like excessive sun exposure and hot foods and drinks that can blister your lips.  Rather than forget about this pesky virus until it appears, you should be mindful of how you treat your body on a daily basis.