Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus, and they appear on the face on the lips, chin, nose and cheeks. ColdSores.ca notes that cold sores may appear singly or in groups, and the red blisters may take eight to 10 days to heal. Though usually treated with over-the-counter painkillers and antiviral medications, there are also vitamins and herbal medications that are traditionally held to be helpful in managing cold sores. However, always consult a doctor before using herbs to treat any condition.
Aloe Vera
According to Health 911, one herbal medication for cold sores is aloe vera. This is believed to be effective due to aloe's powers as a skin soother and healer, and it may reduce sensations of tingling and help with the healing process for the cold sore. Individual results using aloe may vary, and it is not clinically proved to be a cure for cold sores.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 may provide relief from cold sores for some individuals, though the medical profession is not unanimous about its efficacy. According to Health 911, researchers in England have linked deficiencies in B-complex vitamins with increased incidence of cold sores and found that cold sore outbreaks healed more rapidly when B-12 supplements were taken, though results varied from person to person.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is an herbal medication for cold sores, though results may vary from user to user. Health 911 states that some individuals may find relief by blending grapefruit seed extract with a carrier oil and dabbing it directly on their cold sores.
Topical Melissa Officinalis
Using topical applications of herbs from the Melissa Officinalis family is a popular if medically unproven method to speed cold sore healing. Members of this family include lemon balm and mint. Health 911 notes that German researchers advocate for this cold sore cure, but results can vary from user to user.
Lysine
Lysine is an amino acid available in supplement form that may help some individuals with cold sore symptoms. It is thought that the lysine may help to manage symptoms and prevent the frequency of outbreaks, but medical research results are mixed. Health 911 reports that lysine may inhibit the growth of the herpes virus, and the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that some studies have shown that taking lysine on a regular basis may prevent outbreaks of cold sores. However, other studies have shown no effect on cold sore outbreak frequencies as a result of taking lysine.
