Supplement Detective

By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
America’s Natural Pharmacist

Summary: Many patients would prefer to have a reliable cold sore remedy outside of prescription drugs.  The first step to treating cold sores is to prevent them by avoiding cold sore triggers.  There are reliable cold sore remedies but be careful about the dose that you take.

Q: What is the best natural cold sore remedy that you know of?

A: One of the funny things about medicine and supplements is that some of the most boring, old and mundane diseases seem to have the fewest answers and options.

I wrote an article on impetigo treatment and in it I talked about some of the options I use to treat it.  But, one of the crudest (and effective) treatments was to apply a sort of salty-paste to the open wound.  Now, you are either a sadist or really desperate to put salt on an open wound of any size.  But, I did it and it worked.

Which brings me to your question about cold sores.  The skinny is that there are all sorts of home remedies and natural supplements reputed as ‘cures’.  Most of that is unadulterated BS.  The fact of the matter is people have been getting cold sores for millenia and we have been searching for reliable remedies for just as long.  Despite not having a “cure” we have been able to run across some things that help shorten the duration drastically – especially if you are looking for a natural cold sore remedy.

Cold Sore Prevention

One of the best remedies is paying attention to your body and learning what some of your triggers are.  This is truly the best remedy you have.  For example, I’ve known people who had no idea that excess sun (or, sun in general) can promote cold sores.  So, they were taking every home remedy for a cold sore that they heard about but not getting any results and dismissing the treatments as failures when they were outside 12 hours a day.

So, here are some common and not-so-common triggers that would be a great first step in learning about and avoiding:

• Stress (i.e., menstrual periods in women or a big meeting, speech, etc. that you’ve been dreading)
• Physical stress (i.e., not getting enough rest.  This is, bar none, one of the WORST things you can do for your immune systems ability to fight disease(s)
• Excessive UV rays
• Recent illness (again, stress related)
• Injury to the lip area
• Coffee
• Cold weather

Remedy for Cold Sore

Below are some of the most common (and not-so-common) cold sore remedies I’ve seen or heard of.  I’ve tried to list them from the most common to the least with my commentary next to them.

Lysine

I have heard a LOT of good things about using lysine for cold sores.  Basically what happens (or, that we think happens) is that the herpes virus which causes cold sores uses a particular amino acid called arginine to grow and replicate.  But lysine, another amino acid, seems to inhibit the herpes virus growth.  Dosing is generally 1,000mg to 3,000mg per day.

The best results are seen in patients who begin taking lysine as early as possible.  In other words, as soon as you begin to feel the tell-tale tingle of a cold sore start taking lysine.  Of course, talk to your doctor first as it’s not wise to take any amino acid in high doses.  And, don’t take this high of a dose of lysine long term.  Lysine will not cure the cold sore – but it will shorten the duration.  Do not use lysine if you are pregnant or nursing.

Vitamin C

I’m a big fan of vitamin C.  Not only is it an antioxidant but it also has antiviral properties.  The problem is people usually don’t take enough.  The recommendations I’ve seen have been anywhere from 300mg to 500mg daily.  This is an extremely SMALL dose to have any effect (taken orally) as an antiviral.  If you are concerned about taking vitamin C orally perhaps consider applying a vitamin C paste or serum topically.

Zinc

You may want to try applying this topically.  I’m a little nervous about anyone who says they are taking high dose zinc everyday to prevent cold sores based on lack of safety data.

Cod Liver Oil/Vitamin D

Most people abhor the taste but this treatment from the old days packs a very nutritional – and immune boosting punch.  Especially considering the healthy amount of immune enhancing vitamin D you get with each dose.  Again, it won’t make it disappear but may shorten the duration and will definitely help you prevent outbreaks in the future.  Avoid using cod liver oil in the spring, summer and early fall or if you are in a year-round sunny area.  You don’t want to get too much vitamin D.

There are other remedies that are touted for cold sores but I either haven’t personally heard positive things about them from patients who’ve used them or else couldn’t find decent evidence supporting their use.