Fever blisters and natural remedies

Fever blisters are due to an immune deficiency and a deficiency in B-vitamins especially B-12 and folic acid as well as a deficiency in calcium and lysine.  Fever blisters are contagious and can be passed through kissing, or if the person with a fever blister touches it and then touches some other part of their body or another person. So it is best for the sufferer to wash their hands during a fever blister outbreak and avoid touching it.The only time to touch it is to pop it so it will drain and dry out apply a paste made from cornstarch add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil,spread the paste on the blister to help it heal faster usually within five days rather than 14 days. Replace your toothbrush when you feel the tingling sensation at the outbreak of an attack, after the blister breaks and when the sore is gone and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching the sores.Don't use the same towels, razors or utensils as someone with cold sores. Some natural remedies I have found beneficial are: 

Myrrh Try a tincture of myrrh to relieve the pain.

Sage Make a tea by adding two or three leaves to a cup of boiling water; steep; add one teaspoon of powdered ginger. Drink several cups a day until the sores are cleared up.

Tea Steep an ordinary tea bag (preferably Earl Grey) in boiling water for a few minutes; cool; then apply to lesions. Within four or five days the lesions should crust over and disappear.

Vaseline Vaseline will help ease cracking and dryness.

Yogurt Yogurt is high in lysine. Most commercial yogurts however have gelatin (may induce a cold sore outbreak) as a thickener, so make sure you read the label! Natural food stores carry gelatin-free yogurts I found this info on: http://www.health911.com/cold_sores

 

But as always an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure so practice relaxation techniques to help you during stressful situations and boost your immune system by taking echinacea and goldenseal as well as vitamin c or adding garlic and onion to the foods you eat.  There are certain foods when eaten raw or closest to raw (blanched or steamed for example) will inhibit the future breakout of fever blisters such as Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and bok choy contain an active ingredient known as the indole-3-carbinol. Foods high in lysine are:  Papaya, Beets, Mango, Apricot, Apple, Pear. Individuals consuming these foods daily have had fewer breakouts in fact since I have begun eating raw within the past year I have not had a breakout whereas before I went raw I used to have one at least twice a year. ...by Chelyah :)