Cold Sore Causes, Medicinal Herbs And Herbal Preparations
Cold sore is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus that results in the formation of painful, fluid-filled blisters on the lips or mouth.
Herbal remedies have gained popularity as a natural and effective way to treat and manage cold sore symptoms, offering several benefits such as reduced healing time, fewer recurrences, and minimal side effects.
Herbs like aloe vera, calendula, and tea tree oil are often used due to their anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which help to soothe and heal the affected area.
Additionally, herbal preparations like ointments, creams, and salves made from herbs like lavender, chamomile, and echinacea can be applied topically to provide relief from cold sore symptoms, while internal preparations like herbal teas and supplements containing herbs like vitamin C, zinc, and ginkgo biloba can help boost the immune system and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
What causes cold sore?
The primary causes of cold sore are the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which causes the virus to remain dormant in the nerve cells and reactivate periodically, and the immune system's weakened response to the virus, allowing it to re-emerge.
Secondary causes include stress, fatigue, and exposure to sunlight, which can trigger the reactivation of the virus due to increased blood flow and inflammation.
Lifestyles that increase the chances of developing cold sore include smoking, which can weaken the immune system, and engaging in frequent kissing or oral sex, which can spread the virus to others.
Additionally, people with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, are more susceptible to cold sore outbreaks due to their weakened immune response.
What herbs heal cold sore?
The medicinal herbs used to treat cold sore are Aloe vera, Licorice root, and Lemon balm, which possess therapeutic actions such as anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties to soothe and calm the affected area.
Aloe vera contains bioactive compounds like aloin and aloe-emodin that exhibit antiviral activity against the herpes simplex virus, while licorice root contains glycyrrhizin that has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and swelling.
Lemon balm, on the other hand, contains rosmarinic acid that has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects to speed up the healing process.
These herbs work together to provide relief from cold sore symptoms and promote the body's natural healing process.
What preparations treat cold sore?
The herbal preparations used to treat cold sore are often made into teas, infusions, and salves, which help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
A soothing balm made by infusing a mixture of leaves and flowers can be applied topically to ease the pain and discomfort.
Drinking a warm tea made from the roots of a specific plant can help to boost the immune system and reduce the severity of cold sore outbreaks.
Additionally, applying a salve made from the extract of a certain type of bark can also help to accelerate the healing process and reduce the risk of scarring.
The articles in the following links discuss in detail the best herbal preparation used to treat cold sore.