Fever blisters, also called cold sores or oral herpes, are tiny eruptions on the lips and around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. The virus has two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which can cause fever blisters. This condition is not curable, since the virus remains dormant in the peripheral nervous system after an outbreak. If an illness, stress, the sun, fever or fatigue weakens the immune system, the virus will travel along the nerve cells and trigger an outbreak of fever blisters. Conventional treatment can include antiviral drugs, but these may have unpleasant side effects. Herbs can be effective home remedies for fever blisters. It is important to consult an herbalist or other health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Neem
Neem, or Azardirachta indica, is an evergreen tree with clusters of white flowers native to India. It is one of the oldest herbs used in Indian homoeopathic, folk and Ayurvedic medicines. The bark, leaves, oil and seeds are used to treat a wide range of disorders, including skin conditions like fever blisters, psoriasis, eczema and shingles, as well as indigestion, hemorrhoids, parasites and malaria. Neem contains terpenoids, plant sterols, flavonoids and tannins, and has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-diabetic properties. A study by V. Tiwari, published in the August 2010 issue of "Phytotherapy Research," tested a water extract of the bark on HSV-1. The study found that the extract had a direct impact on the virus and prevented it from entering cells. This study supports the traditional use of neem in treating fever blisters. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of action and to test the extract on humans.
Reishi
Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, and by Western herbalists. In China, healers use reishi for high blood pressure and cholesterol, bronchitis, arthritis, cancer, ulcers, immunological disorders, and liver and kidney diseases. The active ingredients are the polysaccharides and triterpenes, and the mushroom has immunomodulating, anti-viral and ant-cancer properties. A study by J. Liu, et al, published in the December 2004 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested an extract of reishi containing a polysaccharide isolated from the mycelia---the underground part of the mushroom. The study found that the extract showed strong anti-viral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2, with no toxic effects on cells. This study demonstrates the efficacy of reishi extract against the herpes virus in vitro and its potential for treating fever blisters. Further studies are needed to test reishi on humans.
Echinacea
Echinacea pallida and E. purpurea are two species of cone flower native to North America. Traditional healers use these plants to treat a range of diseases, including colds, viral and bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, wounds and flu. Echinacea contains polysaccharides, alkylamides, essential oil and caffeic acid derivatives like cichoric acid. Echinacea has immunostimulating action, and its effect on the immune system is due mainly to the polysaccharides, which activate the body's own immune response to track and eliminate pathogens. Echinacea is also an antimicrobial herb, and cichoric acid is a potent antioxidant and antiviral constituent. A study by S. E. Binns, published in the September 2002 issue of "Planta Medica," tested eight extracts of echinacea roots and flowers for their antiviral potential. The study found that three of the extracts---E. pallida var. sanguinea, E. purpurea, and pure cichoric acid---had the strongest action against HSV-1. The research suggests that caffeic and cichoric acids are the active anti-herpes ingredients and that echinacea may be effective for treating fever blisters. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and test the results on humans.
References
- "Phytotherapy Research"; In vitro antiviral activity of neem (Azardirachta indica L.) bark extract against herpes simplex virus type-1 infection; Tiwari V, Darmani NA, Yue BY, Shukla D; August 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Possible mode of action of antiherpetic activities of a proteoglycan isolated from the mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum in vitro; Liu J, Yang F, Ye LB, Yang XJ, Timani KA, Zheng Y, Wang YH; December 2004
- "Planta Medica"; Antiviral activity of characterized extracts from echinacea spp. (Heliantheae: Asteraceae) against herpes simplex virus (HSV-I); Binns SE, Hudson J, Merali S, Arnason JT; September 2002
