Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, HSV, and are very common. After the initial infection, HSV lies dormant at the root of the sensory nerves and may become active during periods of stress, fever, sunburn or menses. Certain foods or medications may also reactivate it. Several topical treatments are available with or without a prescription, but there are also some natural treatments for cold sores. Natural treatment for cold sores includes several types of alternative therapies with the goal of supporting the immune system to shorten the length of outbreaks and prevent future outbreaks. Natural medicine works best when used under the supervision of a holistically trained practitioner, such as a naturopathic physician.
Antiviral Diet
In order to shorten the length of an outbreak and prevent future ones, it is important to avoid any foods that may reduce the strength of your immune system. These include any food allergens as well as foods rich in arginine. Arginine is an amino acid required in the multiplication process of HSV. According to a June 2010 article in "Primary Care" by Vincent Morelli, MD, this is especially relevant when arginine is in a high ratio with lysine, another amino acid. Foods high in arginine-to-lysine ratio include chocolate, almonds and peanuts. Consider working with a naturopathic physician to identify food allergens and increase immune-enhancing foods in your diet.
Nutritional Supplements
Enhancing the immune system of the person with HSV is one of the primary goals of any natural treatment for cold sores. In his book, "Textbook of Natural Medicine," Joseph Pizzorno writes that certain nutritional supplements have been found to reduce the number and severity of recurrent HSV infections. According to Pizzorno, zinc is effective at slowing down HSV by preventing the multiplication of the virus and increasing the action of the immune cells. As part of the natural treatment, vitamin C is used to reduce number and length of outbreaks. Supplementation with the amino acid lysine has also been found to drastically reduce the length of outbreaks due to its antiviral activity.
Botanical Treatment
Several botanical medicines have been been identified as helpful for those with cold sores. According to Pizzorno, Melissa officinalis, better known by its common name, lemon balm, should be part of the natural treatment for cold sores. Lemon balm, in a concentrated extract, contains several compounds that work together to prevent the virus from infecting human cells. He recommends applying a thick layer of extract to the sore, up to four times per day, until the infection is gone. Another plant mentioned by Pizzorno is glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice, which can be applied daily to help speed healing time and reduce pain associated with the cold sores.
Topical Zinc
Several studies have researched the effectiveness of topical zinc as part of the natural treatment for cold sores. According to Morelli, treatment with a zinc oxide cream was found to dramatically reduce the duration of the cold sore outbreaks. The article goes on to suggest that natural treatment with topical zinc may be even more effective than available conventional treatments for cold sores.
Hydrotherapy
The pain experienced during an outbreak of cold sores can be quite intense. Pizzorno recommends using ice to decrease the pain during an active infection. He suggests applying ice to the sores in cycles of 10 minutes on, five minutes off, starting at the first sign of infection.
References
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. & Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 2006
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.; Mahnaz Fatahzadeh, DMD, Robert A. Schwartz, MD, MPH. November 2007
- "Primary Care"; Alternative therapies for common dermatologic disorders, part 1.; Morelli V., M.D., Calmet E., M.D., Jhingade V., M.D. June 2010
