Skin & hair
Cold sores
Small, painful fluid-filled blisters around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus.
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EMERGENCY? CALL LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES (911 IN THE US)
Blisters appearing near or inside the eye · Severe pain or lesions spreading across large areas of skin · Outbreak occurring in an immunocompromised individual · Sores that do not begin to heal after 14 days · Signs of bacterial infection such as spreading redness, swelling, or pus · Blisters developing in newborn babies
Consult a GP immediately if a cold sore develops near your eyes, if you have a weakened immune system, or if the sore shows no sign of healing after two weeks. Seek urgent medical evaluation for newborns with lip blisters. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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The option members rated highest for Cold sores. Not for you? Pick another type below.
Research rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Dietary Arginine Reduction
What it is
Adjusting amino acid ratios to limit the viral replication process.
Why it might help
HSV-1 relies on arginine for tissue replication; limiting cellular arginine availability starves viral growth in lab models.
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See membership optionsOr choose from 14 ways to treat this
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Community-proven solutions
Ranked by what members reported actually worked, weighted by how many people tried it.
Research rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Dietary Arginine Reduction
What it is
Adjusting amino acid ratios to limit the viral replication process.
Why it might help
HSV-1 relies on arginine for tissue replication; limiting cellular arginine availability starves viral growth in lab models.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Cold Compress Application
What it is
Cooling the skin constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling and soothing the itch sensation rapidly.
Why it might help
Targeted hypothermia induces local vasoconstriction, reducing capillary permeability and histamine transport.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Compress
What it is
An herbal topical application with recognized antiviral properties against HSV-1.
Why it might help
Clinical studies show lemon balm extract significantly reduces swelling, redness, and lesion healing time when applied early.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection Factor (SPF 50+) Lip Balm
What it is
Shielding vulnerable lip tissues against solar ultraviolet triggers.
Why it might help
UV radiation causes localized immune suppression in cutaneous nerve endings, direct triggers for HSV-1 reactivation.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Diaphragmatic Breathing and Stress Reduction
What it is
Lowering systemic cortisol levels to preserve baseline immune defences.
Why it might help
Chronic psychological stress elevates circulating cortisol, suppressing T-cell function that keeps latent HSV-1 contained.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
L-Lysine Oral Supplementation
What it is
An essential amino acid supplement used to impede viral protein synthesis.
Why it might help
Clinical reviews indicate oral lysine supplementation may reduce the severity, frequency, and healing duration of recurrent herpes labialis.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Topical Zinc Oxide Ointment
What it is
A drying mineral paste that protects raw skin and promotes tissue repair.
Why it might help
Topical zinc ions express direct inactivation effects on viral particles while facilitating re-epithelialisation.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Topical Antiviral Cream (Aciclovir)
What it is
An over-the-counter antiviral cream that halts viral replication inside skin cells.
Why it might help
Inhibits viral DNA polymerase; most effective when started during the early prodromal stage to shorten duration by up to a day.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Prescription Oral Antiviral Medication
What it is
Systemic antiviral tablets prescribed by a doctor for severe or frequent outbreaks.
Why it might help
Systemic agents significantly decrease viral shedding, reduce lesion pain, and accelerate resolution compared to topical therapies alone.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Topical Bee Propolis Ointment
What it is
Bee propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by honeybees that exhibits antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties helpful for cold sores.
Why it might help
Laboratory and clinical studies suggest propolis extract can inhibit herpes simplex virus replication and accelerate skin healing.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Topical Liquorice Root Paste
What it is
Liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a compound with demonstrated antiviral effects that can reduce herpes simplex activity.
Why it might help
Glycyrrhizin has been shown in laboratory studies to deactivate herpes simplex virus particles directly.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Diluted peppermint essential oil application
What it is
A cooling topical oil application that calms intense scalp itching and freshens the skin.
Why it might help
Menthol in peppermint oil provides a local cooling sensation by stimulating thermoreceptors, temporarily blocking itch signalling pathways.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Rest and Sleep Optimisation Protocol
What it is
Prioritising restful sleep supports cell-mediated immunity, helping the immune system suppress latent herpes simplex virus reactivation.
Why it might help
Sleep deprivation impairs T-cell response and elevates cortisol, both of which are strongly linked to viral reactivation.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoid Supplementation
What it is
Oral vitamin C combined with citrus bioflavonoids boosts immune cell function and strengthens capillary walls to reduce lesion severity.
Why it might help
Clinical trials suggest combining ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids reduces blister duration and fluid collection.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
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See membershipEducational information only — not medical advice. Speak to a clinician before changing any prescribed treatment.