Cold sores or fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus I. They first appear 3-10 days after exposure and may last up to 3 weeks. The first sign is local tenderness with a small bump. The bump then turns into a blister with more tenderness. The virus then remains in the body and repeated outbreaks may be triggered by fever, a cold, or other viral infection, exposure to sun and wind, stress, menstruation, or depression of the immune system. These sores are very contagious.
- Vitamin C and Zinc supplementation for 6 weeks resulted in either total suppression of the eruptions, a local tingling sensation, but no eruptions, or local swelling which receded in 24 hours, or one eruption that was not repeated. We suggest a high quality whole food supplement, like VITAFORCE™ that is complete and made from whole foods. Medical Journal Aust, 1, 1979 p. 399
- Eat 3-6 cloves a day of raw garlic, the strongest anti-viral food known; it kills Herpes Simplex I on contact. Appl Environ Microbiol, 62(11) November 1996, p.4238-4242.
- L-Lysine has led to significant reductions and even prevented recurrence of cold sores, canker sores, and genital herpes. VITAFORCE™ is an extremely rich all natural food source of L-Lysine. Journal of Antimicrob Chemother, 12(5), November 1983, p. 489-496
- Peppermint has been shown to inhibit and kill the Herpes Simplex virus. The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, New Canaan, CT, Keats Publishing, 1986, p.73
- Eat a diet consisting mainly of fresh vegetables, fruits, brown rice, raw seeds and nuts, and whole grains. This creates a healthy internal environment where the virus cannot survive.
- Drink only distilled water, fresh sugar-free juices and herbal teas.
Things to Avoid:
- Highly processed, fried and junk foods. These foods create an ideal internal environment for cold sores to thrive.
- Stress… Find healthy ways to relieve chronic tension and stress.
References:
- James F. Balch, M.D, Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” (1997)
- R. Naganawa, et al., “Inhibition of Micrbial Growth by Ajoene, a Sulfur-containing Compund Derived from Garlic,” Appl Environ Microbiol, 62(11) November 1996, p.4238-4242.
- D.E. Walsh et al., “Subjective Response to Lysine in the Therapy of Herpes Simplex,” Journal of Antimicrob Chemother, 12(5), November 1983, p. 489-496
- J. Fitzbert, “Genital Herpes and Zinc,” Medical Journal Aust, 1, 1979 p. 399
- D.B Mowrey, The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, New Canaan, CT, Keats Publishing, 1986, p.73
