How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore by Traditional Methods


by Janis Banks - Date: 2006-12-02 - Word Count: 520 Share This!

There are several things that can be done to eliminate a cold sore. Prevention in the first place, of course, is preferable. Cold sores (also known as herpes simplex) often erupt while one is suffering from the common cold - hence its name. It will last from ten to fourteen days on average. If outbreaks occur frequently, or tend to heal more slowly than this, it is advisable to seek a doctor who will determine the underlying cause(s) and hopefully offer a course of treatment. Here follows some well tried remedies for getting rid of cold sores that are believed to be successful. Often, they may be used in conjunction together:

1. Apply ice to the cold sore for 5-10 minutes every hour. Spreading of the infection can be prevented by application of a cold, wet used tea bag for about the same period of time. Tea contains tannic acid which is antiviral in its effect.

2. A recommended herbal remedy to get rid of a cold sore is a drink made of a combination of tea tree oil, sage and violet - a herbal sedative. An infusion is made from adding this combination, with two or three leaves of sage and a piece of ginger root or ginger powder to a cup of boiling water. A cup of this tea should be taken, after it has brewed for a few minutes, twice or three times daily.

A warm tea bag applied directly to the site for about a half-hour several times a day may work to remove the cold sore within five or six days.

3. Another remedy for a cold sore is to take four capsules of acidophilus with a glass of milk three or four times every day.

Other remedies include:

Rubbing aloe gel or juice on the site of the cold sore;
Applying a paste made of cornstarch to the site.
Applying lemon balm extracts.or spirit of camphor to the site.
Vitamin B, especially vitamin B-12, and folic acid, taken with water, are supplements that help to clear away a cold sore.
The following traditional remedy to eliminate a cold sore is a formula that can be prepared for use in advance, then stored in a glass or plastic bottle for later use.

This is the formula:

100 millilitres of coconut oil,
2 millilitres of dettol
3 millilitres of carbolic acid.
Directions for use:
Apply once or twice a day directly to the cold sore site. This also is said to work for boils, minor itching and mosquito bites. The shelf life of the formula is many years. Witch hazel is said to help cure cold sores as well.

The following foods may make cold sores far worse:
Chocolate, peas, nuts, seeds, oatmeal and other wholewheat foods. These foods contain the chemical arginine which tends to aggravate the cold sore blister. Reducing the intake of excessively acidic foods, salty foods and coffee will help to lessen the time taken for a cold sore to disappear. Following at least some of the above recommendations will hopefully reduce the discomfort and unsightly inconvenience that an eruption of the core sore virus brings. If symptoms persist, see a qualified MD.


Related Tags: cold sore, cold sores, cold sore treatment, herpes simplex

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