Herbal Remedies for Cold Sores
Licorice is best applied topically or taken internally for short periods while cold sores are present. Licorice root tea and a commercial preparation known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL for short) have been shown to help canker sores as well, with no chance of elevating blood pressure. Make infusions of any of the recommended herbs and use as a mouthwash, gently swishing them in the mouth for a couple of minutes to help shorten the healing time.

Cold sores need to be treated by herbs that have antiviral properties. Lemon balm and St. John's wort are particularly helpful in killing the herpes virus. Use them as a tincture to dab onto areas as soon as you first notice the tingling that often precedes a cold sore. Use it several times daily if the sore manifests. Commercially available, highly concentrated creams may be applied as well.

Oregon grape is an antiviral, too. Licorice also keeps viruses from replicating, so it can be used for cold sores as well as canker sores. Infusions of any of these herbs may help diminish activity of this unwanted "bug."

Echinacea and other immune boosters can help the body fend off the herpes virus. Echinacea also contains a substance that protects collagen, the basis of skin and mucous membranes, from breakdown by bacterial and viral enzymes. Taken internally it may help these types of sores heal more quickly. Swish about 1 teaspoon of strong echinacea root decoction or 1/2 teaspoon tincture in the mouth for several minutes, then swallow. Repeat three times per day or more.

Chamomile contains a substance called bisabolol that helps heal sores of the mucous membranes and is antimicrobial as well. It also contains chamazulene, an anti-inflammatory substance.

Cold Sore Recipe

1 tablespoon fresh lemon balm (or freeze-dried)
1 cup boiling water

Pour boiling water over lemon balm. Let steep 15 minutes. Drink as a tea, hot or cold. It is safe to consume as much lemon balm tea as you want. Several cups a day may help keep the herpes virus in check. Do not use dried lemon balm unless you just picked and dried it yourself and it still has a strong lemony smell, as its active ingredients are lost in the slow-drying process; freeze-drying retains them.

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