Cold sores suck! Unfortunately, some people are plagued with them while others manage to never experience a cold sore during their entire life.
Cold Sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Once you have been exposed to this virus you are infected for life. Infection usually occurs when the virus enters through small breaks in the skin, typically when lips are chapped or have cracking.
If you have the virus, cold sores can develop due to a variety of reasons:
- Emotional and physical stress
- Colds or other respiratory infections
- Exposure to the sun or wind without protection
- Hormonal changes (menstruation, menopause, pregnancy)
It is important to keep your hands OFF of that cold sore! Not only will this speed healing but it will also ensure that you do not spread the infection to someone else. Kissing is off limits of course! Towel sharing, cup sharing, and utensil sharing too. In addition, you might want to use caution when oil pulling with a cold sore. Once your cold sore is scabbed over, you should replace your toothbrush, lipstick, or anything else that has touched that area during an active outbreak. The fastest way to reintroduce the virus is to use something that still has cold sore contamination.
Coconut Oil For Cold Sores
Quick disclaimer – I am required to clearly state that I am not a licensed medical professional nor do I pretend to be one on this site. Take what I write as a launching off point to do your own research. My advice, experience, and suggestions are not to be considered medical advice.
Coconut oil is the most plentiful natural source of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) or Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA). Of all the numerous pathogens that are destroyed by MCFAs, lipid-coated viruses and bacteria such as the herpes virus seem to be the most open to attack. MCFAs easily subdue lipid-enveloped viruses and bacteria because they easily penetrate the organism’s outer covering. As they enter, MCFAs weaken the herpes virus by breaking down its already nearly fluid outer layer to the point that it literally splits open, spilling its insides and killing it.
This means that coconut oil has some pretty amazing results when applied to a burgeoning cold sore. If you catch it in its infancy, applying coconut oil to the cold sore (with a q-tip and not finger-tip) will keep the cold sore from “popping” and getting all weepy and nasty. It basically attacks the virus in the blister stage and immediately works to start shrinking the blister without it actually opening up and draining.
And don’t forget to consume a therapeutic dosage of coconut oil during an active outbreak! While I cannot give specific “dosage” information, as each person is different, a therapeutic dose would typically be double or triple your normal coconut oil consumption.
Other Natural Cold Sore Treatments
Coconut oil is not the only natural cold sore remedy. In fact, there are several other ways to fight back against an outbreak. Here are a few of the more successful treatments:
Garlic is a very helpful remedy for elimination of cold sores both in cases of their first and repeated occurrence. If you notice the very first signs of infection, slice garlic and simply hold it over the infected area for about 2 minutes. The procedure should be repeated at least 3 times daily.
Aloe Vera reduces both irritation and pain of cold sores. Apply its gel directly to the sore as often as needed.
Tea bags: Applying warm tea bags to the affected area is an effective remedy. The tannic acid in the tea acts against the virus and prevents it from developing further. Doing this for five days continuously is known for making the sores disappear.
Lemon balm: A member of the mint family, this potent herb has been used for centuries to reduce anxiety and stress, common triggers for cold-sore flare-ups. Studies have shown that this herb reduces redness and swelling after only two days. Steep 2 to 4 teaspoons of crushed lemon balm in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the “tea” to cool and dab it on your cold sore with cotton balls throughout the day.
Honey has been proven shorten the duration of cold sores 35 percent better than acyclovir, the active ingredient in prescription herpes antiviral treatments. Research from New Zealand found that four different types of honey were able to kill the virus in test tubes, suggesting that any unprocessed, raw honey (which has the highest levels of antiviral compounds) might help treat a cold sore.
CBD Oil: Many people report that dabbing a bit of CBD oil on a cold sore several times daily has sped healing and kept future outbreaks at bay.
There are laundry list of other cold sore remedies like salt, peppermint oil, ice, and olive leaf extract, but in my research I have found that these are not as effective as the natural treatments listed above.
How have you successfully treated a cold sore? Any tips or tricks to share?
Shawn says
May 2, 2013 at 3:32 PMLyscine is the ONLY thing that helps keep mine under control.
Kathy says
May 2, 2013 at 6:28 PMTea Tree oil applied full strength with a Q-tip. I do it about every 2 to 4 hours until it is gone.
Kathy says
May 3, 2013 at 7:46 AMAn Ice Cube. Either works when you first feel the tingle before it breaks out. Put an ice cube on it to stop it from breaking out. If it already has the ice cube will stop it from getting worse & make it go away faster.
Dee says
May 12, 2013 at 5:33 AMCoconut oil cleared it for me,applied after the first tingle and gone in two days! Best result I have ever had, no red mark remaining. Fantastic.
mikelike says
July 23, 2013 at 11:52 AMWhere did you buy the coconut oil…?
Jennifer says
July 24, 2013 at 7:04 AMHere you go! http://hybridrastamama.com/buy-coconut-oil-here/
Jaime says
July 31, 2013 at 6:24 PMI am a big fan of Oil of Oregano & Monolaurin. I take both in pill form and also use Oil of Oregano as a topical. Wants oil tries I coat sore with Coconut Oil. My cold sores heal time has been cut by 75% if not even more. I can not believe how quick they are gone!
Jaime says
July 31, 2013 at 6:24 PMI am a big fan of Oil of Oregano & Monolaurin. I take both in pill form and also use Oil of Oregano as a topical. Wants oil tries I coat sore with Coconut Oil. My cold sores heal time has been cut by 75% if not even more. I can not believe how quick they are gone!
Valerie says
August 7, 2013 at 2:33 AMLysine is the only tried and tested preventative measure any sufferer can take and its freely available at most health food stores.
Lauren says
September 13, 2013 at 11:31 PMLyscine is completely useless for fast healing. I’ve tried almost everything in the book, from ice cubes and polysproine to oregano oil. I eventually found a fast and effective way to get rid of cold sores in a day or completely preventing it if I catch it in time. I use a garlic press and press a clove of garlic, next a mix about a teaspoon of coconut oil (or olive oil) and mix it together. This creates more of a balm for easier use.( It makes enough so if you store it in a Tupperware container you can use it the next night). Leave the mixture on over night and it will significantly reduce the size and severity. Keep in mind this should really only be used if you don’t need to go out because it does stink. Throughout the day I use coconut oil because it smells delicious and it helps it to not get worse. Obviously, not every treatment works for every person but it has been the only thing to help with my cold sores. Hope this helps someone else 🙂
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Jessica says
January 10, 2014 at 9:39 AMI put lavender oil on a new cold sore yesterday and it was gone within hours! I couldn’t believe it, because I often put lavender oil on pimples and it has never caused a dramatic improvement. I’ve never had a cold sore heal this fast!
Annie says
January 12, 2014 at 2:46 PMI’ve heard about this trick before, just trying it now. Already to the big-and-blistered phase so hopefully it helps the healing process.
Krysti says
February 6, 2014 at 6:09 PMI occasionally break out in fever blisters – rarely , maybe two or three times a year. But when I do -its all out war on my system. My lymph nodes swell up and I usually get physically SICK. I use Ab**va and Acylovir… and it still has to run its course 7-10 days. It does keep the spreading to a minimum. BUT, I recently started using coconut oil for oil pulling ( a sort of 20 min. mouthwash to pull toxins out of the mouth before brushing) and in a matter of weeks,I have used it for EVERYTHING!!!! Im allergic to Dimethicone -which is practically ANYTHING that you want to slather or spread….Skin moisturizer (first thing I have EVER–and I mean EVER, used in my entire life that doesn’t break me out to some degree – and Im 45 yrs old), intimate use with my partner (LOVELY STUFF for an overly sensitive person like me),a hair mask for my fried-flat-ironed mess of stuff we call hair, just EVERYTHING ! Then, just as I had decided that I love it as a lip “balm” I broke out in a small fever blister (of course). Well I had been using it for a day already and I just figured since it has such good anti-viral reviews I would keep using it . LITERALLY the next day, the “not-even-bump- yet” spot was practically gone! Well the next day another one appeared in a slightly different spot —- out came the coconut oil and within 24 hours it was gone!! It had not even developed into anything even resembling a fever blister! AWESOME stuff!!! I even give 1/4 tsp to my cat now — the vet said its wonderful for them- their digestion,hairballs,and shiny fur! And he just licks it right off my finger. Will NEVER,EVER stop using this stuff!! (And I just got a jar of food-grade at Wal-Mart! – will be buying better quality organic when it runs out )
Hayley says
February 6, 2015 at 9:50 AMFYI – I have found that oil pulling with coconut oil while you have a cold sore or fever blister will continue to spread the virus and cause new sores to pop up. I was oil pulling for ten days before my naturopath told me this! It seems weird since it can be an effective treatment for cold sores, but something about the detoxification of oil pulling can trigger more outbreaks.
Jennifer says
February 6, 2015 at 2:03 PMHi Hayley! Well, now that I think about it, this does make sense. Thank you for sharing. I see a future post on this topic!
T says
February 12, 2014 at 6:49 PMJust had a sore pop up yesterday after being sick with stomach virus. I thought ok I will try the ice first and then coconut oil. I didn’t even get a tingle, it just came on full blast with blisters in a matter of minutes. Crazy. Since I started the coconut oil, it did help cut down on the blistering. It has already gone into the crust over staged and has diminished in size drastically. Overall, this product works and I would much rather get rid of a cold sore in 2-3 days verses 2 weeks!!
AW says
February 17, 2014 at 12:44 PMClove oil!! Works amazingly well.
Tina says
March 20, 2014 at 7:57 AMI have found that both coconut oil and garlic oil used topically help resolve cold sores really quickly. I just tried out garlic oil with my most recent outbreak and it really seems to work. I actually purchased a garlic oil solution that also contains comfrey and St. John’s wort. It is potent but it doesn’t smell bad and it’s easy to apply. You don’t need much, so a bottle that costs about $11 could last a while, although I’m not sure it would stay “fresh” that long. The oil is also great for ear infections and other skin issues or wounds, so it’s multipurpose. I also use black tea bags as warm compresses and that helps. Instead of ice, I let a black tea bag steep for a minute in hot water and put it in the freezer. Then, I ice the sore with the teabag and that is also very effective. I have also found that bathing the sore in neosporin creme at night helps shrink it. I combined garlic oil with the neosporin and that worked well.
Herbal Medicine Makers Handbook says
April 16, 2014 at 1:02 PMVery nice write-up. I certainly appreciate this site. Continue the good work!
Herstat Cold Sore Treatment says
May 8, 2014 at 8:37 AMGreat post on cold sore remedies, well worth a read.
It’d make a really nice infographic!
raghu pillai says
July 25, 2014 at 10:51 AMCoconut oil mixed with glycerin brings good relief
Generic Valacyclovir says
October 28, 2014 at 3:45 AMhi this kenny from pharmacy department, thanks for sharing this information!!!!
Cold sores are a skin diseases caused from the herpes fundamental virus. Maximum people are affected in childhood but do not experience any sign. People with cold sores can transmit the virus through saliva or by contact with the sores. Cold Sores are contagious and commonly occur on the lips.
Swing says
December 26, 2014 at 12:43 PMI have found that both coconut oil and garlic oil used topically help resolve cold sores really quickly.
Jessica says
January 19, 2015 at 6:02 PMdid not know that coconut oil had that power to clean, after I read your article I aplicaque and disappeared in two days, thanks for your article, I saved in my foritos your blog
Jennifer says
January 25, 2015 at 9:03 PMHi Jessica! I am so glad to hear this! Coconut oil is pretty amazing.
Bob Carlton says
February 23, 2015 at 6:04 AMCoconut oil is really a tree of life that all parts are useful. Example of that is what you said is that it can cure sores and many others.
Lauren says
September 3, 2015 at 10:03 AMFirst time I tried local raw honey when I felt a cold sore already partially out yesterday. I think it has worked better than any of my other remedies. The sore itself barely came out but I want to fully disclose that I did my other remedies as well. Besides the honey I took valtrex and lysine, iced my lip, rubbing alcohol, coconut oil, oil of oregano and tea tree oil then garlic when I got home. I put it directly on the sore and also ingest what I can without gagging (can’t do this around my colleagues). So it may have been a combination of it all but this is the best it has ever been for me. Hoping to have a small scab by tomorrow.
Charlotte says
October 19, 2015 at 2:11 AMMight try the lemon balm tip you mention, haven’t heard of that one before.
I have found that zinc oxide works a treat, you can pick it up cheaply at your local pharmacy.
JoDee says
December 13, 2015 at 6:38 AMThis is a great site…thank you! I use Coconut oil for many thing but haven’t tried it on colds sores….will try it though. Luckily I rarely get cold sores….but the last cold sore I had, I used Organic Apple Cider Vinegar on a swab, It worked very quickly.
Home Workouts says
December 30, 2015 at 11:14 AMI have used the Lemon Balm and the Honey to try to help with cold sores but they seem to take quite some time.
I am going to have a go at your coconut method next time the dreaded thing appears and hope that it will do the trick.
Thanks for this post.
Epigen says
January 9, 2018 at 3:03 AMMy wife tried a few of your suggestions and found that the one that worked the best was using honey.
But as you mentioned it has to be unprocessed.
Thanks.