Question

I’ve always gotten cold sores, but in the last month and a half I”m being tortured from then. I’ve had 6 or more outbreaks, some which end up on the softer tissue around my lips. Is there anything that you can recommend to reduce the severity or reduce the occurrence of outbreaks? Any help or information is muchly appreciated.

Answer

Hello Kailyn,

Thank you for your question.

Cold sores are a very common problem, especially as we are entering winter months and spend more time indoors.

But… your problem seems more chronic as you say that you have always gotten cold sores. It sounds like they are getting the better of you!

First of all to give you immediate relief from the sores themselves, you need a little first aid. There are several herbs that work to heal skin eruptions of any kind. Coincidentally these same herbs also help cleanse your blood when taken internally. The root of the Burdock and Dandelion plants both have healing properties. Comfrey root is by far the best healer but must not be taken internally, so don’t drink it! Chamomile or calendula tea dabbed on the cold sore will provide immediate relief and help to gently heal the sores. Whichever herb you choose, make a tea by pouring water just off the boil, over the herbs and let steep for 20 minutes, then cool and refrigerate extra for later use. Put some tea in a small bowl and use a cloth to dab onto the sores.

The garlic remedy kills any pathogens in your body which will immediately slow down the cold sore virus and give your body a break!

Now to address the underlying issue.

Simply put, cold sores are an infection, and any infection requires the assistance of your immune system, not only to kill an active infection, but to never let a pathogen (infection causing organism) to get hold in the first place.

To keep your immune system in tip top shape, and get rid of these cold sores once and for all, there are several easy things you can do:

  • Cleanse your body! Go to Cleanse Your Body!, and download a free pdf, 19 pages, nine different cleanses.
  • Eat nutritious foods that your immune system needs to run smoothly, these include lots of fresh raw nuts and seeds and their highly nutritious, unsaturated oils and raw fresh greens like spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, kale and all the seaweeds which are not only the most nutritious foods they are the most perfect immune system foods!
  • Fruits and vegetables in smoothies, salads and raw juices, check out the Eat section at www.TheGoodWitch.ca for lots of delicious and nutritious recipes, tips and ideas.
  • Whole grains like Oatmeal, Quinoa and Millet
  • Chick peas, lentils, and natural peanut butter (Mara Natha is an excellent choice without congesting synthetic shortening or hydrogenated fats)
  • Eat immune boosting helpers as much as possible like raw garlic and onions, culinary herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme and oregano (with potent anti-viral compounds), shitake, maitake and reishi mushrooms by adding to casseroles, curries, salads and teas.

Do less of the things that impair your immune system’s ability to function optimally:

  • Reduce stress! This is THE first issue that should be addressed whenever your immune system is compromised.
  • Stop eating sugar and refined carbohydrates which greatly suppress immunity, eat fresh raw or naturally dried fruits instead
  • Eat less of the congesting dairy products, cooked meats and highly processed foods with additives
  • Avoid hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils and shortening as these synthetic fats congest your cells, impair their ability to protect themselves and cause disease.
  • All these changes will take time but will work to greatly improve your health and improve your immune system’s ability to fight off infections like cold sores.

Please let us know how you make out by commenting below.