Cold Sore Treatment Recipes

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are lesions that occur on the lips and mouth. They start out as a group of tiny blisters. The underlying skin and mucous membrane are red and tender. The blisters often break open, releasing a clear liquid. After that, the lesion scabs over and heals within a few days to two weeks.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes them. There are two types of HSV: 1 and 2. Often, HSV-1 produces cold sores, and HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Oral sex can lead to HSV-2 inoculating the mouth. Both types are highly contagious.

HSV belongs to the same viral family as the chicken pox virus. These sneaky viruses never leave us. The immune system contains but doesn’t eliminate them. Instead, the viruses travel up the sensory nerves to collections of nerve cell bodies outside the spinal cord, remaining dormant until they sense you’re stressed. Chronic stress increases the stress hormone cortisol, which suppresses immune function. A study of medical residents found that the stress and fatigue of working the night shift increased levels of cortisol and virus in the saliva.

The frequency of recurrence varies widely. Although 70 percent of adults carry antibodies against HSV-1, which indicates exposure, some people never get a cold sore. The initial exposure can cause no symptoms or it can result in significant illness with fever, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and painful sores in the mouth and on the lips.

Aside from stress and fatigue, other triggers that reactivate HSV include menstruation, exposure to sunlight, the common cold, flu, and fever. The first symptoms of a recurrence are often pain, tingling, burning, or itching at the site.

RECIPES TO TREAT COLD SORES

Lemon Balm Pops
2 cups (475 ml) water ¼ cup (6 g) dried lemon balm leaves, or ½ cup (48 g) fresh 2 tablespoons (40 g) honey
PREPARATION AND USE:
In a small pan, bring the water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the lemon balm. Cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and add the honey. Let cool to room temperature. Pour the mixture into Popsicle molds, an ice cube tray, or small (3-ounce, or 90 ml) paper cups. Freeze. Suck on the pops every couple of hours, rubbing the soothing cold on your lips. Do not hold ice to the lesion for more than a few minutes, as doing so could damage tissue; gently rubbing with ice is fine.
YIELD: 8 pops
How it works:
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral activity against HSV and also prevents its attachment to cells. Two studies found that a cream containing 1 percent lemon balm extract applied four times a day reduced symptoms, preventing the spread of the infection, and hastened healing. Honey is a traditional and research-backed wound healer.

Lemon Balm Tea
3 cups (710 ml) water 3 tablespoons (5 g) dried lemon balm leaves Honey
PREPARATION AND USE:
Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Turn off the heat and add the lemon balm. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Sip throughout the day.
YIELD 3 servings (double the recipe if you wish to drink it more often.)
How it works:
Lemon balm is antiviral against HSV. Also, it’s important to keep drinking fluids. Don’t let the pain of cold sores interfere with staying hydrated. Drink water, tea, and broth. Avoid sodas, which will irritate the lesions. Lab studies also show that several other mint family herbs (peppermint, thyme, rosemary, and sage) have anti-HSV activity. All are probably more effective as preventive strategies, stopping the viruses from multiplying before they penetrate the cells but not afterward. Recipe Variation: Substitute 1 tablespoon (3 g) of dried thyme, (2 g) peppermint, or (3.5 g) rosemary for one of the 3 tablespoons (5 g) of lemon balm.

Honey Lips
1 tablespoon (20 g) honey
PREPARATION AND USE:
Wash your hands. Spoon the honey into a small, clean jar or empty lip balm tin. Using a clean fingertip or gauze, apply the honey to the cold sore five or six times a day. Each time, leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off.
YIEld: multiple applications
How it works:
Honey has antiviral and wound-healing activity. One study compared topical applications of honey versus the prescription drug acyclovir (applied topically) in sixteen adults with lip and genital herpes. The honey was superior to the drug in reducing pain and crusting and hastening healing time.

Salt Swab 
1 teaspoon (6 g) sea salt 1 cup (235 ml) warm water A dab of unscented moisturizer
PREPARATION AND USE:
Dissolve the salt in the warm water. Dip a cotton swab into the saltwater. Gently hold the swab against the cold sore for about 5 minutes. Throw away the swab immediately. With another cotton ball, put a dab of unscented moisturizer on the sore as a lubricant. Wash your hands.
YIELD: 1 application
How it works:
alt is a natural cleanser and healer. Sea salt contains trace minerals that soothe and heal skin that has developed a rash or become inflamed.

When Simple Doesn’t Work
A number of over-the-counter and prescription products can offer some relief. As mentioned earlier, studies have shown that a standardized lemon balm cream improved symptoms and healing time for cold sores. You can find commercially prepared products at natural food stores.
• L-lysine is an amino acid. (Amino acids ar e the building blocks of proteins.) Several studies show that taking oral lysine supplement s reduces the severity and healing time for cold sores. One study also showed that a topical formula containing lysine, zinc oxide, and other ingredients eased symptoms and sped healing. Some experts believe that increasing dietary lysine and reducing the intake of the amino acid ar ginine (found in higher amounts in pork, poultry, meat, oatmeal, wheat germ, eggs, peanuts, chocolate, and gelatin) helps prevent cold sores. Although studies have yet to test that theory, HSV requires arginine to make copies of itself.
• Propolis is a resinous bee product with antiviral activity against HSV. Two studies found that an ointment containing 3 percent propolis applied five times a day speeds healing.
• Vitamin C supplements (600 milligrams a day or mor e) and topical application of liquid vitamin C may also speed healing of cold sor es.
• Abreva (docosanol) is the only over-the-counter cream for cold sores that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Other over-thecounter ointments and creams can provide some relief. If you have frequent cold sores, talk to your doctor about a pr escription medication to help block recurrences. Prescription antiviral creams include penciclovir (Denavir) and acyclovir (Zorivax and generic). Oral antivirals include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacycl ovir (Valtrex). All can shorten the course of cold sore attacks. Side effects for oral medications include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Some people are allergic to the latter two medications.

When to Call the Doctor
• You’re troubled by frequent recurrences.
• The cold sore begins to look infected, as evidenced by purulent discharge and increased redness and swelling.
• You have a child with a first episode of HSV-1 infection, who has been refusing fluids. Signs of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and lips, crying without tears, irritability, and drowsiness.
• You have an infant under three months of age, who has evidence of herpes lesions or who otherwise seems ill.