Donna McGrath is a licensed Medical Technologist,  and  performed PH.D. level research as a Molecular Biologist at the NIH.  Donna will provide you with the most  accurate and up-to-date information on better health!

Healthful Hints

By Donna McGrath, M.T. (ASCP), M.S., C.H.T., D.D.

                Natural Remedies for Cold Sores

             Cold sores are caused a variety of herpes viruses called HSV-1 or Herpes Simplex Type 1. Approximately 20-40 percent of the population experience cold sores caused by HSV-1. 40-60 percent of the population has the virus lying latent in their spinal columns…just waiting to be ignited by stress.

Overexposure to the heat, (sunburn), cold, (windburn), and excessive nervous stress brought on by overtaxing conditions of all sorts including chronic disease states cause the virus to be activated. Once activated, the virus travels the length of the nervous system and causes a nervous burning or tingling on the lips. A skin eruption often follows with the sore filling with a clear, virus-infected fluid. Be careful not to spread the sores by rubbing them. Spreading the infection to the eyes can be particularly dangerous, causing infection or vision loss. Below please find a list of remedies, which may stop cold sores from erupting or may rapidly heal those, which have already formed.

Physical Remedies

·        The amino acid, L-lysine inhibits the replication of the virus. Take 1,000 to 3000 mg of lysine at the first sign of tingling or blister formation. Continue daily until the cold sore is gone.

·        Apply Oxy C Gel from American Biologics or Lysine Plus Cream by Nutricology.

·        Take 5,000 to 10,000 mg of Vitamin C.

·        Take Vitamin A, 50,000 IU per day and 400 IU of Vitamin E to speed healing and prevent spreading of infection.

·        The herbal combination of Echinacea/Goldenseal helps to clear the infection.

·        The herb Lemon Balm by Natures Way is effective in killing the virus. Take 3-6 capsules per day.

·        Take Transfer Factor by 4-Life Reseach and/or an immune boosting combination of products. (See my past article on Natural Immune Boosting Agents in The Streaming News Archives).

Emotional Causes and Remedies

The emotional/spiritual cause of cold sores is the withholding of bitter or angry words of resentment. Place a few drops of Bach flower essence Willow topically on the sore several times per day for quick relief. Also try to calm the nerves by taking a B-complex Vitamin or the Flower Essence Rescue Remedy. Also good for calming down nerve injury is St. John’s Wort. Take 300 mg 3x/day.

Try to honestly communicate your feelings to the people/person you were withholding communication from. Try to get your message across in a loving, yet honest, direct way.

Finally get plenty of rest. Stress reduction is important, so relax in a hot bath of lavendar or ylang-ylang or treat yourself to a wonderful massage.

Health, Peace, Love and Light and Sweet Blessings to you,

Donna McGrath

Comments or Questions?? E-mail me at dawnawolfe@yahoo.com. Copyright ã 2002 by Donna McGrath.