Learn About Herpes Simplex 1 and Natural Treatments for Cold Sores

HSV-1 – Cold Sore Remedies – Curing Cold Sores Naturally

Question for Dr. Leia: Is there a cure for cold sores?

I am looking for a natural treatment of cold sores that will keep them from coming back. For some reason I
get them mostly in the summer and winter when the weather is more extreme.

I have heard there are home remedies for treatment of cold sores but I have yet to find one that works and
I would so appreciate your advice on curing cold sores naturally as I really don’t like taking drugs.

What do you feel about the prescription medicines versus natural cures? Thanks Betty

Dr. Leia’s Answer: Cold sores are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus
or HSV-1.

This virus is extremely contagious and is easily spread from kissing, touching or rubbing the sore, and even
by using the same cup or eating utensils as someone else who has a current outbreak lesion or sore, or who
is shedding the virus. The sore begins with a prodromal period which can be characterized by a tingling or
burning sensation, usually on the lips, then it progresses to an all-out fluid filled sac which contains
the active virus, which eventually bursts or opens, creating an ulceration or open wound, which then gradually
dries up to form an unsightly scab.

I cannot emphasize enough that this virus is highly contagious and is easily spread from person to person.
So it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds under running
water after touching or rubbing or placing medication upon this sore.

The usual consensus in the medical community is that there is no cure for cold sores, or the herpes virus.
The virus hides out in the nerve plexus of the body usually around the mouth area, and lies dormant, without
any symptoms until the person is exposed to stressors such as too much exposure to sun, situational stress
in one’s life, an illness, overwork, or not enough sleep. When the body is weakened, then the virus
will assert itself and create the cold sore.

These sores are commonly present on the lips, however, in severe cases, the virus can spread to the eyes and
create lesions there, which could eventually lead to blindness or loss of vision if not treated promptly.
I have even seen an extreme case where it spread to the top of the head in an elderly 90 year old patient.
Elderly patients and patients with cancer or HIV or other immune deficient diseases are particularly at risk
for these herpetic outbreaks.

Because the virus hides out so to speak, it makes it difficult for drugs or natural remedies to reach deep
within the nerve plexus hiding area. Medical doctors commonly use the drug Acyclovir to help to alleviate
the symptoms and decrease the duration of these sores. This drug is not a cure, but simply helps to keep
the symptoms manageable and decrease the duration of the outbreaks.

Natural remedies tend to work on the immune system of the patient, by strengthening the person’s defenses
against this virus and to help to prevent the virus from exerting its influence upon the body. Some natural
treatments for cold sores are also helpful in creating unfavorable conditions for the virus to proliferate.
I always think that it is a good idea to strengthen one’s immune system, rather than to use poison
to fight or kill off the attacker. You have heard the phrase: “Prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

There are several home remedies used for cold sores. L-lysine, an amino acid, is commonly used daily for prevention.
One 500mg. tablet daily has been purportedly used to ward off the viral outbreaks. Yogurt is high in lysine
and would be a good food to eat on a daily basis for prevention. It is important to refrain from eating foods
which contain high amounts of L-arginine, which is found in peanuts and peanut butter, chocolate, and caffeine
drinks. Arginine feeds the virus so that it will grow and spread.

Also homeopathic remedies such as Ferrum Phos (there are many other homeopathics which can be repertorized
by your health care provider to find the perfect one specifically for your case) or homeopathic nosodes of
the herpes virus can be used to treat these outbreaks. Nosodes are dilutions of the actual herpes virus made
up into a homeopathic remedy and is specific for that particular virus.

Herbal remedies such as goldenseal and grapeseed extract, Echinacea, and olive leaf extract can be used orally
or in crème form which can be applied directly upon the cold sore. One of the old time home remedies
for treatment of cold sores is to directly place a drop of liquid 3% topical hydrogen peroxide solution and
antiseptic upon the cold sore and lesion.

Different people react and respond to different medications. Some people are particularly sensitive to, and
respond well to homeopathic remedies, while others find that these remedies have no or little effect upon
their problems. Children and animals respond the best to homeopathic medicines, so for them, homeopathy would
be the first line of choice to use before the harsher chemical drugs, as long as the outbreak is not accompanied
by a high fever or more serious symptoms such as severe nausea and vomiting, and dizziness or headaches.

At these times, it is necessary to visit your doctor immediately, to ensure that the symptoms are not life-threatening.
It is rare that the virus can cause neurological problems, but it is still a viable threat and one should
be vigilant to these symptoms.

I will emphasize this point again: to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot running water whenever
you come in direct contact or touch a herpes cold sore or lesion. This way you will not spread the lesion
to another part of your body, or to other people.

I hope that this gives you a better understanding of these common cold sores and gives you the knowledge to
know when to seek professional help versus using natural home remedies for cold sores or treating herpes
virus naturally by yourself.

By Dr. Leia Melead

Two Unique Natural Cold Sore Remedies

NutriBiotic Skin Ointment is a powerful cold sore remedy that contains both Grapefruit Seed Extract and Lysine among other powerful ingredients. This formula is so natural there is nothing in it that can not be eaten. Use helps to
promote healthy skin tissue and can be applied topically on scratches, scrapes, and skin irritations as well as cold sores, fever blisters, and canker sores.

It can also be used for yeast infections and other genital types of afflictions and since has a neutral pH it doesn’t sting. You can learn more about this powerful all natural remedy that is great to have on hand as well as include in your first aid kit.

Another powerful natural cold sore remedy containing Zinc is Novitra cream. This is a homeopathic that you can use at the first sign of a cold sore to shorten the duration and stages of infliction as proven in a scientific clinical study.

HealthyNewAge Related Article

You may also want to read another HealthyNewAge related article which may also be of interest to further your understanding of cold sores.

Learn about > Stage of a Cold Sore