Essential oil remedies for cold sores are among the most popular and powerful choices to get rid of a canker sore. They are easy, cost-effective, and safe to use.
Many health-conscious people already have essential oils at home. When a cold sore appears, nip it in the butt by using your stash of essential oils to treat it immediately.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to the best essential oils for cold sores, and how to use them to effectively get rid of your cold sores.
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Essential oils are a natural home remedy for cold sores.
What Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are an infection with the Herpes simplex HSV-1 virus. Most commonly, they appear on the lip or mouth of an infected individual.
A cold sore is among the most common infections that affect millions of individuals. They can happen in both adults and kids. In essence, they are small blisters full of fluid. That’s why they are also referred to as fever blisters or canker sores.
Luckily, there are plenty of home remedies for cold sores which are easy to use and simple to follow. One of the most helpful remedies for cold sores is the use of essential oils to help you get rid of your cold sore.
But be cautious – you are not to ingest these concentrated plant extracts; only apply them topically to the area of your cold sore.
Essential Oils for Cold Sores
1. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinale) can help reduce symptoms of cold sores. It may also prevent the spreading of herpes simplex virus by applying it onto the affected area.
According to a publication of the US National Library of Medicine, ginger is one of the best choices of essential oils for treating herpes simplex virus. It is immune boosting, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Remember always to mix your essential oils with carrier oils to avoid skin reactions. Combine 2-3 drops of ginger oil with 1 tsp of fractionated coconut oil. Use a cotton swab to pat the areas infected on your body. Repeat at least two to three times daily until symptoms subside.
Start applying ginger oil as soon as you notice a blister coming on. It is best to begin your essential oil treatment before the condition develops into full-blown fewer blisters.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) contains active antiviral properties. These fight the spreading of a cold sore infection. There are also antioxidants in the oil to help in the body’s healing process.
Experts have concluded that peppermint oil can inhibit the survival of the herpes simplex virus in our bodies. The study also stressed the antimicrobial and antiviral potential of peppermint oil.
Apply Peppermint oil after mixing about three drops with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Then, use a cotton swab and gently tap the areas having the blisters on your body. Repeat about two or three times every day.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) may help reduce the growth of the herpes virus in affected patients, as well as promote a faster healing process.
Tea tree oil is highly active against some viral infections such as herpes simplex HSV-1. A study published by the US National Library of Medicine confirmed tea tree oils’ significant antiherpetic activity.
Combine 3-7 drops of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil and apply it to the areas infected by the cold sore. Use my dilution rates guide to determine the concentration that’s right for you.
In this application of 1 tsp carrier oil, 3 drops equal a 2% dilution, which is generally regarded as safe. The 7 drops would be a 5% dilution, which is only recommended for acute, short term use on healthy adults. Please do use the reference guide to make sure you have the correct ratio, especially if you are elderly or have sensitive skin.
Use clean cotton buds to dab your mixed substance onto the skin. Continue treatment at least twice or thrice every day until the condition improves.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The anti-inflammatory properties in eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) make it another one of the best remedies for cold sores.
According to a publication in the Journal of Ethno-pharmacology, titled “Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Essential Oils of Eucalyptus”, this plant extract is suitable in reducing inflammations and healing cold sores.
Combine 3 drops of Eucalyptus with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil of your choice. Pat on the affected areas using a cotton bud dabbed in the oil. Repeat 2-3 times daily for best results.
5. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is the swiss army knife of essential oils. Herpes viruses usually cause inflammations, irritations, and blisters on the skin. While it may not have any effect on the virus, Lavender oil soothes your skin with anti-inflammatory properties.
Combine about two drops of lavender oil with four drops of a carrier oil such as almond oil. Apply on your body for at least two or three times every day for best results. Do not use it on open sores but the scab of the fever blisters.
6. Chamomile Essential Oil
You can use either Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) for cold sores.
The Department of Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology in Germany published an article expressing the efficacy of anise oil, dwarf pine oil, and chamomile oil against herpes viruses. It was concluded that these essential oils have inhibitory effects against the growth and attacks of herpes viruses.
Combine chamomile oil with other essential oils or dilute with a carrier oil before applying on your body. Use cotton gauze or Q-tip sticks and dab the oil onto your affected body parts. Repeat at least two or three times daily for optimum effects.
7. Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa essential oil (Melissa officinalis) has powerful anti-viral features that can help speed up your healing process after a herpes outburst. It is easily absorbed into your skin, which is ideal in the treatment of fever blisters.
If you are resistant to standard anti-viral drugs, this oil is the best alternative for you.
One study by the US National Library of Medicine found that Melissa officinalis oil inhibits the ability of herpes viruses to infect your skin cells. Thus, this plant extract is suitable for treating herpes simplex virus type 1 at home.
Blend 3 drops of Melissa with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil such as almond oil or coconut oil. Melissa is gentle on the skin, but don’t be tempted to use it neat. Dip a cotton swab into the oil and dab it onto the blisters on your skin. Do this at least two to three times daily, and even for a few days past the outward signs of the virus have passed.
8. Clove Essential Oil
Clove Bud essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) is rich in antioxidants. This will aid a quicker healing process of your cold sores.
It also has anesthetic, antiviral, and antimicrobial qualities. These properties make Clove bud oil capable of lessening pain, inflammation, and the spread of herpes virus infection.
Blend 2-3 drops of clove oil with 1 tsp of a carrier oil. Dab onto your cold sore using a cotton bud twice or thrice daily to eliminate it as fast as you can.
9. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil (Origanum vlugare) is another highly antiviral essential oil that can quicken the healing of cold sores and improve your skin’s texture.
Research published in medical journals expressed the antiviral activity of oregano and clove oil. The study confirmed that the therapeutic plant extracts were useful in treating cold sores.
Dilute oregano oil before applying on your cold sores. Make a blend of 3 drops of essential oils to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Use cotton buds and apply at least two to three times daily to lessen the size and severity of the infection.
10. Turmeric Essential Oil
Turmeric essential oil (Curcuma longa) has antioxidants capable of inhibiting the growth and multiplication of the cold sore virus. Moreover, it can encourage a speedy healing process of the sores.
Turmeric oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It contains curcumin, which is useful in handling microbial infestations.
A study from the US National Library of Medicine said that curcumin could inhibit herpes simplex virus expression. Thereby annihilating fever blister growth and stopping their appearance on the skin.
Use a cotton bud and tap some turmeric oil blended with a carrier oil into the areas affected by cold sore viruses. Apply two to three times every day until the condition improves.
In Summary
These are the best essential oils that you can use as an effective home remedy for cold sores. You may be able to use something that you already have stocked in your essential oils case, or you may like to order and try something new. F
or the best effect, blend 2-3 of these oils together and make your own cold sore home remedy essential oils blend!
Cold sores can readily be spread to other regions of your body including your fingertips. Treating a cold sore isn’t a pleasant experience. If you would like to stop future cold sores, work to enhance your immune system as a whole.
Natural home remedies, such as the use of essential oils, are popular choices among people that are always hunting for how to deal with cold sores in a more natural way. The above mentioned essential oil home remedies for cold sores are a few of the absolute most effective and popular all-natural remedies that are easy, cost-effective and safe to use.
I hope you’ve been able to learn more about these powerful natural oils and get better soon!
New to Plant Therapy? Read my fully detailed Plant Therapy Essential Oils Brand Review.
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