Cold Sore: Natural Remedies (Works Fast)

Colds sores, also commonly called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus and unfortunately, it’s difficult to completely cure this problem once it attaches to your immune system. Currently there is no scientifically proven herpes cure available that will eliminate the virus from your body completely. You might get rid of cold sores overnight but the condition may be reactivated as your immune system suffers through weaknesses: like stress, lack of sleep and even catching a cold.

Typically, a cold sore lasts anywhere from four days to two weeks, but this does not always have to be the case. By catching it as or maybe even before it breaks out, you can get rid of cold sores overnight and only deal with the nasty thing for a day or two. Its always a hit to the self esteem to have one and I think we can both agree that the less time you have a cold sore for the better.

Cold Sore Natural Remedies

Here are my tips to get rid of a cold sore fast and get back to your normal life.

Tea Tree Oil

Used for numerous skin ailments, tea tree oil can help reduce the size of a cold sore in half within 12 hours or less. It can get rid of cold sores overnight by drying out the skin, therefore preventing the virus from spreading further. Rich in antibacterial and antiviral properties, tea tree oil can be applied directly on the fever blister twice a day and allow it to dry out naturally.
It’s not going to get rid of your cold sore immediately but it will cut the time the cold sore is active down to 1 day then it is just a matter of healing the skin.
Interestingly, in this study Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil showed great antiviral properties versus the herpes virus.

Rubbing Alcohol

Although alcohol works best with bacteria, it’s been studied and noted to work with the virus causing cold sores. Just apply it on the skin several times a day, making sure that it dries out on its own before reapplication.
Alcohol is able to shorten the lifespan of the cold sore, even as it prevents further complications due to bacterial infestation. Make sure you’re using 70% alcohol as it is the best level of concentration to apply to a cold sore.

Sea Salt Solution

Grab eight ounces of lukewarm water and stir in a teaspoon of sea salt, making sure it completely dissolves before dabbing some on the cold sore. This might sting a little bit, but you’ll find that sea salt manages to speed the healing process of the skin, therefore cutting back the duration of the herpes virus’ presence. Do this as often as possible; being very careful that only the affected fever blister area gets the sea salt solution.
This is a great, quick remedy if you don’t have some of the other things on this list but I would definitely recommend the other options first.

Lemon Balm Extract

Applying lemon balm directly on the cold sore as an all-natural home remedy for fever blister is also highly recommended.

Lemon balm, also scientifically called essential oil of Melissa officinalis, is often used as a natural mood stabilizer but is also known for aiding the repair of skin as well as reducing the miserable symptoms that make it hard to tolerate cold sores. Apply this several times a day directly on the fever blister using a clean cotton swab.
Lemon balm is your go-to after using an antiviral for the first day like the tea tree oil or sea salt. Then you use this to get your cold sore to heal up rapidly.

100% Vanilla Extract

Note that the vanilla must be 100%; otherwise, you won’t be getting effective results. Apply this on the cold sore every six hours: the antiviral and antibacterial properties of vanilla should halt the spread of the cold sore and suppress it quickly.

Cleansing

As soon as you notice a cold sore breaking out, cut back on anything unhealthy in your diet. The virus prefers an acidic environment which means that you should focus on restoring the alkaline balance in your body. A great way of doing this is by hydrating your body, increasing intake of vegetables and taking calcium ascorbate: a non-acidic form of vitamin C.

Note that the body reacts differently, which means that results of techniques may vary. Trying out different methods and see what works for you to get rid of a cold sore. Personally, this works like a charm. I start with vanilla if the cold sore breaks out I switch to tea tree oil for the morning or day till it is no longer active then start applying lemon balm to heal it up overnight so I can look normal overnight. I definitely recommend this solution but find the solution that works best for you.

Olive Leaf Extract

Antiviral herbs abound and one of the very most effective against the herpes virus is olive leaf extract. The secret to this herbal extract is oleuropein. Oleuropein has been studied and proven to have amazing natural antiviral and antimicrobial effects in the body. Some studies even found that olive leaf extract was as effective as pharmaceuticals versus cold sores. In my opinion, the research is there to make it my first line of defense against the herpes virus in any form. If I had to go to a desert island with only one herb, I’d have to seriously consider taking olive leaf extract. A wonderful, healing herb that is loved by practitioners of alternative holistic medicine, olive leaf extract brings quick benefits and I’ll take it every day for the rest of my life and if you suffer from fever blisters, you should too.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical drug Valtrex (generic: Valacyclovir or Acyclovir) is effective at breaking up and suppressing the cold sores, genital herpes and shingles (herpes zoster) viruses.  If you decide to take it, do so at the first sign of viral symptoms or do research on taking daily suppression doses. There is virtually no renal toxicity at recommended oral doses but it’s always recommended to drink plenty of water when taking any medication.