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of Consumer Guide, the Editors.  "16 Home Remedies for Cold Sores."  15 January 2007.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-for-cold-sores.htm>  19 July 2008.

Inside this Article

  1. Introduction to Home Remedies for Cold Sores
  2. Home Remedy Treatments for Cold Sores
  1. Natural Home Remedies for Cold Sores
  2. See all Home Remedies articles
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Natural Home Remedies for Cold Sores

Conventional medicine does have a few tricks in its little black bag, including antiviral lotions and creams. But they don't cure, just treat. So take a look in your kitchen. You might just find some useful home remedies there.

Home Remedies From the Candy Jar

Licorice. Studies show that glycyrrhizic acid, an ingredient in licorice, stops the cold sore virus cells dead in their tracks. So try chewing a licorice whip. Just be sure it's made from real licorice, as most "licorice" candy in the United States today is flavored with anise. If the ingredient list reads "licorice mass," the product contains real licorice. You could also try buying some licorice powder and sprinkling it on the sore. Or mix up a cream with a pinch of licorice power and a smidgen of pure vegetable shortening, then apply to the sore. Remember, though -- don't go overboard! Just as with any medicine, real licorice's medicinal effects can cause serious side effects if used in large amounts over long periods of time.

Home Remedies From the Freezer

Ice packs. If you ice a cold sore when it first arrives, you may cut down on the amount of time it hangs around. Ice packs and cold compresses will provide some temporary relief. A tasty popsicle will feel good, too, but skip the juice bars. Their acid content may irritate that major irritation even more. Super-cold drinks, such as slushes or smoothies, are another tasty way to provide comfort.

Home Remedies From the Refrigerator

Milk. This remedy doesn't involve drinking. Soak a cotton ball in milk and apply it to the sore to relieve pain. Better yet, if you feel the telltale tingling before the cold sore surfaces, go straight to the cold milk. It can help speed the healing right from the beginning.

Home Remedies From the Supplement Shelf

Zinc lozenges. Cold sores may be triggered by stress. During stressful times, sucking on zinc lozenges can boost the immune system.

Cold sores are not the most attractive accessory. But while coping with them, you can experience as little discomfort as possible by using these easy but crucial home remedies.

For more information on conditions affecting the mouth, and helpful remedies for them, try the following links:

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in many publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The author of four books, Gower is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.

Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her work has been published in magazines such as Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She is the co-author of three books on women's health.

Linnea Lundgren has more than 12 years experience researching, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of four books, including Living Well With Allergies.

Michele Price Mann is a freelance writer who has written for such publications as Weight Watchers and Southern Living magazines. Formerly assistant health and fitness editor at Cooking Light magazine, her professional passion is learning and writing about health.

ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:

Ivan Oransky, M.D., is the deputy editor of The Scientist. He is author or co-author of four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide, and has written for publications including the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and USA Today. He holds appointments as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and as adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.

David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also is a professor in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Inside this Article

  1. Introduction to Home Remedies for Cold Sores
  2. Home Remedy Treatments for Cold Sores
  1. Natural Home Remedies for Cold Sores
  2. See all Home Remedies articles

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