Cold sores can destroy a person’s confidence. Getting this uncomfortable and unsightly sore in the middle of one’s face (usually on the lips) can play havoc with everything from social life to work life.
I used to get them on my ear which is such an unusual place that for years I didn’t know what it was. Neither did the doctor who saw me in emergency once when I had incredible pain shooting into my ear. Thankfully I don’t seem to get them anymore.
Below Shabir Daya, pharmacist at Victoria Health, explains what they are and gives some great natural solutions to treat and also ways on how to prevent them.
What are cold sores and how do you treat them naturally?
Cold sores are a condition caused by the infection of the herpes simplex virus. Nearly all of us have this virus in our bodies and it normally remains dormant where it resides in the sensory nerve cells near the site of infection. However, at one point or another, many of us have had to purchase products for the treatment of cold sores.
There’s an amazing natural product that both prevents & treats cold sores
L-Lysine is an amino acid that is one of the best treatments and you take one tablet twice daily on an empty stomach. Numerous studies indicate that lysine can help to speed the recovery from, and prevent recurrences of cold sores. Lysine has anti-viral properties and additionally it blocks the uptake of arginine, an amino acid that promotes viral growth.
Lip balms and creams are also very popular in the treatment of cold sores
Most of us know that coconut oil is very moisturising and is frequently used in massage oils and skincare products however the benefits of coconut oil are extensive. With particular reference to cold sores, coconut oil contains an active ingredient called lauric acid, a healthy supersaturated fat that fights fatigue and enhances metabolism in the body. Lauric acid is converted by the body into monolaurin, a powerful antiviral chemical that destroys the protein sheath which protects all viruses. It is for this reason that coconut is often recommended to be taken internally for preventing and treating cold sores.
There is a lip balm which combines the anti-viral properties of both lysine and coconut oil called Lysine Lip Balm by Good Health Naturally. This lip balm with lysine also combines monolaurin, another powerful antiviral from coconuts and regular usage should help to prevent cold sore outbreaks. In case of an outbreak, Lysine Lip Balm should also help in the treatment of cold sores. Use Lysine Lip Balm twice a day or as frequently as you would apply any lip balm on a daily basis.
If you experience regular cold sores then this is often indicative of nutritional deficiencies or a weakened immune system. A stronger immune system is more effective at battling against the virus replicating and may help to put it back into a dormant state. To support the immune system, I would recommend the use of Daily Immunity, a comprehensive blend of nutrients, probiotics and herbs that all play a varying role in strengthening our immune system.
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