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.
Lemon Balm
Posted by G (Auckland, New Zealand) on 03/24/2018
★★★★★
Lemon balm tincture worked for me. I'm 51, female and have had a recurring cold sore for about 10 years on my bottom lip.Sometimes I would get it maybe once or twice a year, and other times I would get it nearly every month.
I could only find the tincture, not the oil on a Friday night after watching on youtube about cold sore remedies. So I applied it by q tip on the newly and quickly developing cold sore for about a minute. Then I dropped a couple of mls or so into my green tea and drank it. I did this a few times over the weekend. The cold sore didn't develop any more and was totally gone in 3 days. I've tried heaps of remedies over the 10 years and this was the first time I've succeeded in getting instant results. I've had 2 recurrences since then and applied the lemon balm with immediate results again. Lemon balm oil would probably work too but I couldn't find it at the time. I've since realised that it's called by it's latin name Melissa officinalis on the essential oil bottle at my local organics shop.
I hope this helps someone else.
Ice
Posted by Carmen (Eureka, Ca) on 04/04/2017
★★★★★
Ice on a cold sore--absolutely works. Hold it on until it aches. It will diminish the sore, or make it go away altogether. If the cold sore flares up again, ice it again.
Lemongrass
Posted by Medina (England) on 03/07/2017
★★★★★
I suffered from cold sores all my life. The slightest stress or too much sun & my lips would be covered with the painful blisters. I spent a small fortune on aciclovir & medicated cold sore plasters to manage the outbreaks & noticed my lips had developed mild scarring.
I suddenly stopped getting them, after I started using a new organic lipbalm. Very rarely I might get one above or below my lipline, but never on the lips. The ingredients of the lipbalm are: organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, lanolin, organic mungongo oil, organic lemongrass oil, organic peppermint oil, organic rosemary oil & vitamin E.
I googled the ingredients to try to identify which was the key anti-cold sore factor and found a 2003 Japanese study on the inhibitory effects of lemongrass oil on the herpes virus, effective even at very low concentrations. Eureka!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14584615
I'm going to attempt to make my own version of lemongrass oil lipbalm as it's such a relief not to have to deal with cold sore outbreaks anymore. Hope this helps someone else too.
Acetone
Posted by Annie (Providence, Ri) on 11/18/2015
★★★★★
Acetone worked very well for me. I get cold sores about once a year, usually in the Fall, when my lips start to chap from the cold. I didn't hear about Acetone soon enough to prevent the outbreak of my first cold sore this year - I was already on day 3 after the blisters had broken when I discovered this remedy. I started using it then - and it did speed healing greatly! In fact, it worked so well that I figured I didn't need to use it anymore, that my cold sore would be nearly gone by the next day or so, so I stopped using it. Unfortunately, when I stopped, it got worse the next day. I had to start using it again to see improvement. It made a huge difference in the speed of healing and that was with spotty/very late use!
Also - normally when I have a cold sore outbreak I get at least one or two, sometimes up to four in a row. Sure enough, I started getting not one but two more as the first began healing. I hit them with the Acetone on a cotton swab, pressing it into the newly forming bump/blisters, for at least 30 seconds, at least once every two hours for one day. By the next day - both were completely gone - they never continued forming!
A couple of days later, I started getting yet another, right next to where the first one was. I put Acetone on about every two hours or so, all day long. The next day - the swelling, bump and forming blisters are GONE! Completely! I feel confident that I will never have another cold sore again as long as I catch it in time and always have 100% pure Acetone on hand.
Vitamin C and DMSO
Posted by Marymcdowell (Wilmington, DE) on 05/16/2015
★★★★★
I started getting cold sores about five years ago. I get them from sun exposure and they are always on my top lip. The first time I had one it has horrendous--I didn't know what to do and it was huge and lasted for ten days. After that, I started researching and started using topical hydrogen peroxide plus DMSO. This worked pretty well most of the time, but was very time-consuming, as I had to use a q-tip and keep dabbing the solution on the spot for a half-hour at a time, multiple times a day. Last summer I was at my daughter's house in another state, working in the yard without lipstick one morning--the next day I felt the beginning of a cold sore. I started using the peroxide and DMSO but it didn't seem to be working well. I decided to try some Lypo-spheric vitamin c (which is a gel that comes in little foil packages) plus the DMSO. It worked really, really well!
Since then I have used just the Lypo-spheric vitamin c plus DMSO at least three times and the results are nothing short of miraculous. I dab a little DMSO on the spot, then add the Vit c gel and rub it in, but then add a little more gel to leave a small blob on my lip. I leave this on for as long as I can, but usually not more than 15 minutes (although if going to bed, I just leave it on and go to sleep). I might do this twice in a day. The cold sore basically does NOT develop at all. It stops it in its tracks. Recently I realized that DMSO gel (instead of the liquid) probably will work better since it's the same consistency as the vit c gel. (you can use the one package of vit c gel several times, just fold the foil over and paper-clip it in between uses)
Lysine, Vitamin C and Coconut Oil
Posted by Mia (Mi, Fl) on 03/24/2015
★★★★★
I didn't have any acetone to use this time and I really didn't like using it at all so I used 4,000 mg of Lysine spread out through the day, 3,000 mg of Vit C spread out through the day, and I dabbed coconut oil on the sore twice.
In ONE DAY, it was dried up with barely a tiny scab left over and this thing had seven different bubbles and felt like my lip was really ready to swell up.
I will stick with remedy FOREVER.
Baking Soda
Posted by Inez (Kent, Uk) on 07/25/2014
★★★★★
Bicarbonate of soda for cold sores:
Been having cold sores all my life but it effects me more now as I have fallen in love. Massive cold sore came up yesterday (Thursday )above my lip found this site and made the paste put it on the sore and it went down within an hour. I covered my whole face with it and my skin is so soft and glowing now thank you so much
inez
Acetone
Posted by Ed (Kent, Wa) on 06/16/2013
★★★★★
Acetone works. I am 59, and have suffered from cold sores all my life. The last 2 years were the worst. I get irritation in the right eye, then irritation around the nose as the early signs of a virus attack when my body immune system is week. One never knows the status of one's immune system, but sometimes there might be early signs.
I take Famciclovir when the irritation starts and apply apple cider vinegar to my lips at work, or Acetone with a cotton Q-tip at home. I figure the complicated use and smell of Acetone at work might draw the attention of co-workers.
Here is what I have learned,
1- Stress life is present all the time.
2- Acidic foods help virus activation.
3- Do not eat fruits or too much meat. Meats including fish and specially shell fish are very acidic. Fruits are acidic and have lots of sugar that contributes to virus activation and growth.
4- Do not drink coffee or tea. Do not eat chocolate.
5- Do not eat animal products more than 3 times a week.
6- Eat green leafy and root vegetables.
7- Lime or lime juice is the best. Include a lime in your daily diet.
8- Eat a cucumber and a tomato every day, or make a cucumber, tomato and onion salad with a fresh lime juice and some cayenne pepper part of you daily diet.
Ear Wax
Posted by Latonia (Marshallville, Ga, United States) on 07/19/2012
★★★★★
I was told many years ago from a friend that ear wax works well for cold sores. I thought it was a grotesque thing to do but it worked instantly. The minute I felt one coming, I would apply my ear wax or the residue if you didn't have any wax to pull from your ear. That worked as well. It will heal a cold sore in one to two days. It doesn't burn at all. It's very safe and economical!
Ear Wax
Posted by Nathan (New Zealand) on 03/13/2014
★★★★★
I had an out break yesterday of genital herpes. I have been suffering for two years now. As when an out break occurs I end up trawling the net for anything to make my situation better. I read this last night about the earwax and was kind of interested. I applied it to the blisters this morning and within 3 hours noticed a significant change in my situation. Almost no pain. Within 6 hours all the blisters where the earwax had been had vanished not giving any a chance to burst and therfore not having to go through the whole scab healing process which totally sucks and is probably the worst part. By this evening it is as if I had never had an outbreak. This has taken maybe 10 days off the whole cycle which is a god send. I am actually still totally stunned at how effective and quick this has worked. TOTALLY RECOMMENDED. Better than anything from the doctor and health food shops by a mile. Natrual and free. Thank you to this site and all who have posted here. This is a game changer. :-)
L-Lysine
Posted by Miserable_in_bama (Oneonta, Alabama, United States) on 06/09/2012
★★★★★
I've suffered from it horribly for 28 yrs. What works and is guaranteed to work is L-lysine. I take 1,000mg morning and night in powdered veg caps. I haven't had an outbreak in 2 yrs or since I started taking it diligently. If you do have an outbreak, take echinacea/goldenseal combo, red clover (helps with fever & inflammation), elderberry, acidolphilus, pau d'arco, burdock. I don't know about Ted and the snake oil things he's talking about. I know L-lysine is inexpensive, and easy. You cannot cure yourself of HSV, it's in your DNA, there's no way to remove it, sorry to tell you. I would get so sick, have horrid fevers, be in and out of consiousness, bad sick. Females have it worse with mucous membranes down there. I use tea tree oil on sores, it dries them out. Tea tree is absorbed into the layers of skin and helps keep it from getting infected, and dries them out fast. It's also cooling to me. You can also use witch hazel, it has antiseptic and pain killing properties. Most importantly, keep it clean and dry. I used aloe baby wipes. Something else I figured out after a few years of hell with this....... Ibuprofen can take away not only the fever, but that sick, puking feeling, and seems to help it heal faster. I found immediate relief, but for me ibuprofen is a no no these days, I have gastritis from taking it for many years. So eat when taking it, never take on an empty stomach.
Turmeric
Posted by Jflange (Chicago, Il) on 11/11/2012
★★★★★
I have had the same result with turmeric. 1/4 tsp organic turmeric powder mixed into a small amount of milk (any milk with fat will do) and a bit of honey. Symptom free since I began and otherwise it would have been a monthly outbreak for me.
Ice
Posted by Jjkrmom (Sayville, Ny, Usa) on 08/17/2010
★★★★★
Herpes No More!!!
Ice, Ice, Ice is the best thing you can do. I have tried every remedy here with no luck whatsoever. I have even tried the prescription you take on a daily basis, also with no luck. I have been getting cold sores (herpes) on my upper lip as long as I can remember. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I actually had it diagnosed by a doctor. I used otc products for years and they just seemed to make matters worse. After having four children I became obsessed with natural remedies as I was no longer looking out for just myself. I read a wonderful book on natural cures and it gave me a lot of insight. The most important thing you can do to never have an outbreak again is to keep your immune system strong. Eat a healthy diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay away from processed foods and avoid fast food altogether. Also avoid tomatoes, nuts and caffine. When you start to feel that tingle, (oh that dreded tingle)head for the freezer and grab an ice cube. Hold the ice on the spot until it melts, repeat, again and again and again. It works wonders, the sore will not even have a chance of coming to the surface. You will be able to tell when to stop, the tingle will go away. Ice will even help with an already full blown sore. It will reduce the swelling and speed healing time. About 2 1/2 years ago I was so stressed I kept getting sores over and over trying every remedy in here for about 6 months. I was so embaressed to go anywhere especially work. After that horrible 6 months finally I tried the ice. I have not had an outbreak, or even felt I was about to since.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Jaytuccibx (Scarsdale, Ny, Usa) on 11/02/2010
★★★★★
I have cured my oral herpes ingesting H2O2. After I had reached about 15 drops 3x a day I felt my lip tingling as if I was going to get an outbreak... Over the next 3 to 4 days I did get an outbreak (or so I thought). The sore kept growing 3 times its normal size, then balloned and popped... I continued with the h2o2 for the full course.... Also I got boils under my armpits which I now know were the aluminum deposits from my deodorant being forced out.... That was about three years ago... Havent had an outbreak since... I used to get them at least twice a year religiously for 7 years, , . , So when the doctor tells you there is no cure for herpes laugh at him... He will tell you to take a 20$ abreva cream which does nothing... No money in the cure people.... You can easily get reinfected with the virus, if so I would repeat my same process.... I would assume this would also work for GENITAL HERPES being that h2o2 kills basically all viruses and bacteria... Email me with any questions!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Sara (Miami, Florida) on 08/07/2009
★★★★★
Last Monday I had a cold sore outbreak in my upper lip (I started feeling the tingly sensation) , so immediately I looked for remedies in this website and I opted to use the Hydrogen Peroxide. Let me tell you it is a wonderful remedy for cold sore, by wednesday the cold sore was completely dry and it got never bigger than half size of a lentil bean. I had outbreaks before (usually when I am stressed) and it was a nightmare, the cold sore lasted for weeks ( I am not kidding) and it got as big as half of my upper lip. The treatment is extremely easy and cheap: damp a q-tip or cotton swab with the HP and apply to the area as many times as you can. i did it every 3 hours. Thanks earth clinic for such helpful information
Bleach
Posted by Gloria (Plano, TX) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
My son got cold sore, i heard about apple cider vinager, hp (hydrogen peroxide) and all of that store stuff. My co-worker told me about clorox bleach. After trying carmex, and hp, we applied bleach, and every time it stopped burning we applied more. After 3 applications it went away in 30 minutes.
Bleach
Posted by Stephanie (Calgary, Ab,canada) on 10/25/2011
★★★★★
Bleach is dangerous, but if it is applied properly I think it is an extremely effective way to stop a cold store dead in its track.
Use a little with a q tip and press it onto your cold sore for 3 - 5 minutes. Do this at the very first sign of a cold sore coming on and it WILL NOT come out, or grow to be worse. Be very careful not to burn yourself or your lip area. Allow for a little bit of stinging, but know what is too much. Compress with an ice cube after to get rid of the sting. I did this twice the first day I noticed one coming on, and along with Abreva and L-Lysine it was practically gone by day 2 and never got worse.
Honey
Posted by Sara (Albertville, Alabama USA) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★
I have used HONEY to stop and cure cold sores for years. Honey is a natural virus killer. Also bacteria. When I read about honey i didn't believe it but tried it when I started getting the next cold sore. Lo and behold it never went beyond the first little blister-stopped the pain and itching instantly. When I first feel one coming on I dab honey on it and it never gets worse and is gone within 2/3 days. Dab on often-3/4 times a day. It also works on gastrointestinal virus- I work in a nursing home and we are constantly getting that bug. When I feel a little nauseaed I go home and take a big spoon of honey and have only gotten it once in 4 years and that was when I didn't take the honey! I believe n natural cures and believe that God gave us all we need to cure disease in nature.
Triggers
Posted by Marion (Powhatan, VA) on 12/28/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered with herpes since I was a little girl. Giant sores would appear around my nose and mouth. I actually go into hiding I am so ashamed. I have tried everything. Valtrex does work if the sore is caught early enough but this requires a prescription and is very expensive. In my search for an alternative I have decided to avoid the food triggers that cause the outbreaks. Chocolate, Nuts and Oranges too much sugar and artificial sweeteners. I also drink lemmon balm tea every morning. Since changing my diet. I have been outbreak free for over three years. I hope this info helps.
