Cold sores are no funthey’re painful, itchy, and embarrassing.
But if it’s any consolation, if you struggle with cold sores, you’re definitely not alone.
So what are they exactly, and more importantly, what can you do about them?
These nasty little guys are brought on by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1).
For context, HSV-2 is what causes the STD genital herpes outbreaks.
They can stay dormant for years until an opportunity to strike occurs.
Calm the heck down.
To blast out cold sores, you need your immune system to be in tiptop shape.
Being stressed out will do the opposite!
Cultivate consistent, meaningful practices of stillness in your life.
Use protection (on your lips).
Find a nontoxic SPF lip balm though.
The last thing your lips need is a chemical-laden toxic sunscreen.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an awesome resource to find the right SPF.
Pump up your T-regs.
Pump up your what?
T-regulatory cells are super-important parts of your immune system.
Think of them as the ultimate immune balancers.
So how do you do it?
Thisamino acid is a proverbial atomic bomb against viruses2.
I put many of my patients on 1,000 milligrams of lysine two to three times a day.
Also focus on foods that are rich in L-lysine, such as wild-caught fish and organic poultry.
Just as you want to increase your L-lysine, work ondecreasing the amino acid L-arginine3.
If you don’t know by now, I’m anadaptogen super fan.
Holy basil (tulsi), maca, and schisandra are some of my favorites inthe adaptogen kingdom.
Lemon balm(Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented member of the mint family.
Stock up on ‘shrooms.
No, not the psychedelic kind.
I’m talking about thesafe, immune-boosting variety.
These guys aren’t hallucinogenic, but they’re amazingly skilled at killing off viruses.
Chaga and lion’s mane are two of my favoritemushroomvarieties.
Take it easy on the sugar.
Limiting sugar intake has to be of utmost priority for anyone with reoccurring infections like cold sores.
Sugar will dampen your immune system and contribute to flare-ups.
For a full guide to what sugars are the best and the worst, checkout my guide.
(Hint: It’s probably not what you think!)
Ramp up your C.
Vitamin C is so underrated; this powerful antioxidant is a potent immune-booster and antiviral.
Have a handful (or more) of blueberries.
Organic blueberries are an easy and delicious way to give your body someantiviral food medicine5.
Sip on skullcap tea.
I love this herb.
Skullcap isnot only a virus fighter6; it’s also very calming.
Get your astragalus on.
This super herb is another one of my top tools for combating viral infections like cold sores.
Astragalushas been shown7to have an inhibitory impact on the herpes simplex virusand that sounds good to me.
Arandomized clinical trial8showed that a zinc-oxide-based cream was an effective tool for cold sores.
Munch on some sprouts.
Sprouts are super healthy in general, but my favorite has to bebroccoli sprouts.
Mix a tablespoon in smoothies or use directly on your lips.
Introduce your virus to peppermint.
Ina study9published in the medical journalPhytomedicine,this pleasant-smelling essential oil packed a mean punch against the herpes virus.
After a few hours in the presence of peppermint, results showed a 99 percent death of the virus!
Pucker up with tea tree oil lip balm.
Tea tree oil, or melaleuca, is apowerful antiseptic10.
Find a nontoxic lip balm with tea tree oil to kill that gnarly cold sore.
So imagine what happens with night after night of poor sleep.
Put down the smartphone, TV remote, or any other electronic equipment, and get yourself to bed.
My job as afunctional medicine practitioneris to get to the root cause of health problems like cold sores.
Chronic immune stress that leaves your body prone to viral infections often has its roots in an unhealthy microbiome.
This is where 80 percent of your immune system resides, after all.
Want toboost your immune system to prepare for fall?
You canstartwith your gut bacteria.
