Cold Sores
Natural Remedies

Cold Sore Relief: Top Natural Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Blood Electrification and Colloidal Silver

Posted by Djproto16 (Kirkland, Wa, Usa) on 02/18/2011

Has anyone use a blood electrification unit and colloidal silver which are apart of Dr. Bob Becks protocol? I will soon be starting the use of blood electrification and colloidal silver for my type 1 herpes. Hopefully I can learn some information from others who may experiment with these remedies and if not... I will happily fill you in on what my experiments conclude. There is alot of talk about colloidal silver and blood electrification, but im one of the people who will walk the walk for myself.

Replied by Mark
(Las Vegas, Nv)
03/31/2012

I have silver pulser. I will not use it for making silver and I feel that's not safe. I prefer Soverign Silver. I do however zap pimples with the pulse and they go away in about 24 hours. I use it also to arrest cold sores when I get them.


Blue Glass and Sunlight Therapy

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by John (Pahoa, Hawaii) on 07/09/2010
★★★★★

I first started getting cold sores whenI was 15 and they were miserable. Burning blister that eventually broke and then hurt for days and the skin cracked. When I was about 40, a naturalpath MD in Sedona AZ. Told me to get a piece of blue glass and as soon as I felt the burning sensation on my lips, let the sunlight filter through the blue glass onto the coldsore. Ever since I've done that, I have not had one coldsore form into a blister. It may take a day or two of putting the filtered sunlight on the cold sore ( I do it for about 3 minutes or until the pain or burning sensation subsides, and I'll do that 3 or 4 times the first day or whenever it begins to burn or hurt again). Usually, after about two days (sometimes three if it is a bad breakout), the cold sore will have simply vanished, without ever blistering and popping. I find it is important to get the blue light therapy started as soon as I feel the coldsore coming on, although even if I miss it or there is no sunlight, this therapy works even if it advances to a blister--it shrinks the blister without it ever breaking. I found my piece of blue glass in the ocean and used that piece for 18 years now. Just this year I bought a set of blue glass dishes from walmart and tried it with the small cup saucer plate and it worked. It actually was easier because I didn't have to center my small piece of glass over the coldsore. I do cover my eyes so I don't get sunlight in my eyes while doing the blueglass therapy. I hope this will help someone. I was just telling my wife that I was surprised that this therapy wasn't in the prescription for natural healing or more widespread in the alternative healing community. It has made my life alot less painful.


Blue Green Algae

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Anna (San Mateo, Ca) on 01/27/2012
★★★★★

My best remedy for cold sore (and I suffer from that since my early age 1) I found around 6 to 7 years ago by coincidence: blue green algae. I used to take every day just 1g and observed during this time no cold sore outbreaks, and useally I had it every month at least once and very bad around my mouth and lips. Now I just take it when I feel this burning on my lips and take 1g to 2g and mostly it prevents me from outbreak. And when I already got cold sore and took blue green algae then - it helped to heal so much faster and the pain was nearly gone. Zovirax never helped me.


Broccoli

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Jayden (S.A. Texas) on 03/02/2007
★★★★★

Eat broccoli and you could ward off Herpes ~ Preliminary lab studies of monkey and human cells conducted by researchers at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio show that a compound found naturally in broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts-- indole-3-carbinol--may be a key to inhibiting the herpes simplex virus. And it works really well. The compound blocked the virus from reproducing by an amazing 99.9 percent--essentially 100 percent effectiveness.

The indole-3-carbinol compound works by interfering with factors that help cells reproduce. It inhibits the herpes simplex virus in the same way, since the virus needs those same factors as the cells to reproduce, reports WebMD and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The study: The researchers treated human and monkey cells with indole-3-carbinol. Then they infected them with one of two strains of the herpes virus: HSV-1, which can cause oral or genital herpes, and HSV-2, which causes genital herpes. The cells were also infected with a herpes virus strain that is known to be resistant to medication.

The results: The indole-3-carbinol compound blocked the virus from reproducing by at least 99.9 percent. Best of all, since the compound is found in food, it's safe.

Herpes differs markedly from other viruses. Once a person contracts it, the virus lives in the body for a lifetime. The American Social Health Association estimates that as many as 80 percent of adults in the United States have oral herpes, while 20 percent have genital herpes. Fully 90 percent are unaware they have the virus. There is no cure.

While this research news is promising, caution is advised until further studies are done. What works in the lab doesn't always work on humans in the real world. Still, eating more broccoli is a good idea not only to prevent herpes, but also to possibly ward off cancer, cataracts, and stroke.

The research findings were presented to the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Also, good news, eating late at night is not the cause weight gain, imbalanced hormones that can be correct is. By eating foods high in vegetable, fruit and fiber content you can eat late at night and lose weight. Also, the best hormones supplied by a new cream called Strength Energy supports DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone, and Estroblock clears bad estrogens -all necessary for rapid fat loss. Take BMR for thyroid support to increase metabolism, add natural stress fighter - Isocort, Stress is the cause of sugar and salt craving, take nuerotransmitters to support dopamine, serotonin, and epinepherine.


Butter

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Tanya (New Zealand) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★

To cure a cold sore scrap off a bit of real butter with a teaspoon and hold over the stove until it turns brown. Let it cool down until it is warm and then put onto cold sore.


Calamine Lotion

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Molly (Tampa, Fl) on 08/05/2016
★★★★★

I've suffered with cold sore outbreaks all my life, and most of the treatments only make my sores worse. I think it's because gels and liquids irritate the sore rather than soothe it. Even a breeze blowing on it seems to make it worse. I had the idea once to coat my sore with calamine lotion to protect it from irritation and I was amazed at how it made my sore so much better. I have been using calamine lotion now for several years, and I have never had a full blown break out since. Now when I feel the tingling of a cold sore, I apply calamine lotion as soon as I can and it dries it up right away before it can develop into a huge sore. I have found the more pasty the lotion, the better it works. So I take a bit from the top of the bottle around the cap that is dried out some and dab it over the cold sore. It really is like a miracle cure for me. However, my sores tend to come up on the skin beside my lips rather than on the lips themselves, so I'm not sure how well the calamine would stick to your lips since they move around when you talk and eat. It is definitely worth a try though!


Calamine Lotion
Posted by Marcy Shannon (Boston, MA.) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★

I've just read a lot of your comments on the Herpes Simplex outbreaks. I too have suffered from them, right in the middle of my face! For the past 2 days I have had it and have tried acv, hp, bacterial ointment. Digging through my medicine basket,I found the calamine loction. This one is called Caladryl by Park Davis. I dabbed this on my blister twice this afternoon with a cotton swab. I cannot believe the difference. It is drying up as I post this message. It is hardly noticeable! This blister was open this morning, between my nose and mouth and looked disgusting! I will certainly recommend calamine lotion to anyone. Good luck folks.

Replied by Tamara
(GA)
09/19/2023
★★★★★

I use calamine lotion on mine too and it really works faster than anything I've tried ... And it soothes the burn ... I also use 91% alcohol on a qtip and dab it a few times a day then soothe with carmex and at night I put calamine on it .... Works very well

Replied by Vera
(Colorado)
09/20/2023

For herpes sores, what works best for me is lemon balm ointment, L-lysine, and dabbing with 3% peroxide. If I catch it early, this is all that's needed.

I used to get really bad sores every 4 months or so, and found acyclovir invaluable in that. I still keep an old prescription on hand.


Camphor

6 User Reviews
5 star (6) 
  100%

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 01/05/2021
★★★★★

Campho-Phenique (Liquid in the green bottle) which you can buy over the counter at any drug store.

Campho-Phenique is an old folk remedy for many skin issues. Camphor is known to have antiviral activity. Studies state that external application of lavender oil mixed with Camphor deactivates both herpes simplex type-1 and herpes simplex type-2 virus. This prevents spreading of the herpes infection.

It works for any type of herpes virus such as cold sores or shingles. Apply with Q-tip to affected area three to four times a day. It dries up the sores immediately.

I got introduced to Campho-Phenique back in the late 70's when I had a mouth ulcer. My parents had a bottle of it in the bathroom cabinet. I dipped a Q-tip into the liquid and rubbed it on the mouth ulcer, waited about a minutes and spit it out. The mouth ulcer was gone by the next day. I've been using this product for other skin issues ever since.


Camphor
Posted by Artemisia (London, United Kingdom) on 12/02/2012
★★★★★

The only remedy which dries them is SPIRITS OF CAMPHOR, now unavailable in the UK, but I buy from the USA. Also, take Lysine and avoid Arginine containing foods: Cheese, red wine, nuts, chocolate. Sometimes they will appear soon after consuming one or more of these foods. As soon as the "tingling" starts which signals the onset, take a half teaspoon Lysine - I take it twice a day - in juice.

Replied by Piper
(Toronto)
06/09/2014
★★★★★

I get cold sores and usually I use hydrogen peroxide or nail polish remover and they dry up and heal in about a week. This time I had them for at least 8 weeks and nothing was working. A friend had recommended Carmax, so I decided a different approach was needed. After a couple of days using Carmax, I looked at the ingredients (camphor 1.7 and phenol .44) and noted that they were close to Vicks Vaporub. Checked the label and the Vicks was similar, just higher concentrations. I decided to put Vicks on my sores. I finally got some relief and they started to heal. First, I liked the feeling of Vicks. That familiar tingle seemed to counteract the annoying tingle of the cold sore. In fact, any time I felt a cold sore tingle, I would put Vicks on to have what I felt to be a healing tingle. Within a week they were healing.

Other thing I found that helps is lemon balm. Take leaf and rub on sore and drink in tea. About 5-6 leaves, crush a bit to release active ingredients.

Replied by Piper
(Toronto, Canada)
09/15/2014
★★★★★

Yet another cold sore. I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream and the next day a cold sore was starting. This time, I applied Tiger Balm. Tiger Balm has 25% camphor and 10% menthol and some other ingredients. Within seconds of applying, white blisters would form - I think it was the virus coming up to the surface. I would use a tissue to gently wipe away the blister fluid. The bringing up the virus to the surface and out of the skin helps the cold sore heal faster.


Camphor
Posted by Sharon (Buffalo, NY) on 03/11/2012
★★★★★

I'm not really sure why we would be advocating putting Acetone on each other's faces given this is an all natural remedies website. I have found though, and I've been dealing with cold sores since I was 4, that Camphor Spirit is the best for drying these out. Most pharmacies don't carry it anymore, but they will order if you ask. It's about $5. 00 for a bottle that will last you years. It's essentially the same stuff as campophenque and everything else we spend $10 buying without the extra chemicals. It just drys the cold sore. I haven't had one in years but for some reason, this week, developed one on the skin between my nose and lip. I've never had one here before and it's embarassing and frustrating. The camphor spirit makes it a little more bearable, since it goes away faster, but I'll be going out today for a bottle of L-Lysine.


Camphor
Posted by Lori Keat (Blacksburg, Virginia) on 11/10/2008
★★★★★

Herpes cold sores: For years I've been using 'spirit of Camphor'. I put it on a cotton swab and put it on the area. I also have taken Vit.B Complex and that helps too...As does Lysine...


Carmex

Posted by Dillon (United Kingdom) on 12/02/2014

I usually get cold sores around the time when it starts warming up or cooling down (spring and fall). I don't know why but I headed to the store today to grab some Hemoform. Long story short, the more Hemoform I spread, the more the cold sore spread. CARMEX works!


Cell Food

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Nathan (Lexington, Ky) on 10/05/2012
★★★★★

Cell Food topically- This is my story. Scroll to the bottom if you're only interested in what worked for me.

Hey all, I've been following earth clinic for sometime now - and love it! I discovered apple cider vinegar on here and it did wonders for my quality of life as I used to have insanely dry scalp in the winter and acne. Acv did the trick for both.

Okay, onto my cold sore treatment: Abreva has worked pretty well for me the past couple of years. I'd keep it on me and when I'd feel the "tingle" use it and I hadn't had a major outbreak since I started using it - until Monday morning. I felt the tingle on Sunday night, put some Abreva in that spot and went to sleep. Woke up with a full blown cold sore... Yikes! Of course, this Saturday (tomorrow) I have a number of guests coming in town for what is annually one of the biggest social events of the year for me. Instead of panicking I came here and discovered the acetone treatment and hydrogen peroxide as well. I had hope!

So for the following 36 hours I diligently treated the monstrosity on my lip with acetone and hp. Only problem was by Tuesday night I had not one sore but three! It was the worst outbreak of my life. The acetone seemed to aggravate the infection, not to mention it smelled terrible and the hp didn't seem to go deep enough. I believe those treatments work for many of you - they just didn't for me. The nail polish remover I was using I later noticed included gelatin in the ingredients and I read elsewhere that gelatin can aggravate an outbreak -maybe that was it.

Anyway I woke up Wednesday desperate, ready to call off plans for Saturday. While obsessing over what I could do, I remembered reading that Cell Food helped cuts and burns heal fast, so I googled it to see what I could find out about it's effect on cold sores. I didn't find much, just one testimonial but it was positive. What did I have to lose? So I gave it a shot. Went to the bathroom grabbed some cellfood and put a couple of drops on my lip and it burned like hell (way worse than acetone or hp). I thought "this could be really good or really bad". 30 minutes later my lip was drying out and the swelling was going down so I put another drop on my lip. By Wednesday night the "tingle" was completely gone and all of the sores were drying up. I continued to use cell food every 3 hrs (I would also put some drops in my juice and water) and yesterday my sores started to scab over.

This is the amazing part: last night the healthy parts of my lips were starting to grow like a new fresh layer of skin I think from the cell food. Today the two smaller sores are 90% healed and the big sore I think will be 90% by morning. My lips are chapped from being so dried out, but after the sores are nearly completely gone I'll use chap stick.

I said to a friend earlier this week that it would take a miracle for my lips to heal by Saturday and I actually think they will be fine by tomorrow. I started on Cell Food Wednesday with 3 throbbing sores!

This is the first time I've shared on earth clinic. I hope this works for you as good as it did for me! Oh, yeah: I must say Thank God! Because I prayed a lot too! He answered my prayers :)


Cha De Bugre

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Bethany (Houlton, Me, United States) on 09/27/2011
★★★★★

I was looking up info online about the herb Cha de bugre, also called The Brazillian Energizer. I was surprised to read that it has been used for the treatment of herpes virus. I have had cold sores on my nose and lips several times a year since childhood. I am 43 years old. People who don't get cold sores can't always understand how embarassing and miserable it can make you feel. I bought a bottle of 500 mg capsules (Cordia salicfolia Cham) (10:1 concentrate) and have been taking them 1-3 times daily. This has really worked for me! I still also take lysine once or twice every day. I am very impressed with this supplement, although I don't notice it giving me much of an energizing effect, that's ok. It's also used for weight loss among other things. I will keep taking this every day and make sure I never run out of it. Thank you God for healing herbs and for Earth Clinic!

Replied by Anonymous
(Bklyn, Ny)
09/30/2011

Hi, I am in this same situation and after reading blogs, I have just begun to use neem (liquid), lecithin(capsule), stabilized oxyen and 4 dropd FGHP( 35% food grade hydrogen Peroxide) once daily. I will keep you posted. I do not get cold sores at all since I put Abreva daily on lips especially where there is always a feel that it would come up. I will keep you posted, but I am determined to kill this thing. I have done a full body clease and have changed my diet. The things I am using have claimed to heal some people. Will get tests next year if there is no signs of it.


Clove Oil

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Christy B (Turbotville, Pa USA) on 03/13/2024
★★★★★

Most of the time, when I feel the first tingle of a cold sore, I can head it off with high doses of lysine. Unfortunately, there are some times, like the one I'm dealing with now, where a cold sore comes out overnight without any warning and is past the point of not showing up by the time I wake up in the morning. Whenever that happens, I put a little bit of clove bud essential oil on a cotton ball and hold it against the sore for about 30 seconds. It's amazing because it clears the cold sore up faster and also takes the pain and itching away immediately. I have a toddler, so after I apply clove bud oil, I cover the sore with a colloidal patch to keep little hands from bumping into the infected site.



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