If you’re one of the unfortunates who struggle with the occasional cold sore, you know how annoying they can be. Fortunately, I don’t, but S tends to get one or two a year, and that cracking and oozing just doesn’t look like a whole lot of fun.
Cold sores (or fever blisters) are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They often start with a tingling around the lips, then a day or two later, the full-blown blister. Based on seeing my wife with them, they’ll last about a week or so. She’s tried a bunch of OTC and prescription cold sore treatments, and, at least to my eyes, nothing really seems to offer any kind of significant help.
A couple weeks ago, I did a post about lemon balm, and if you recall, one of its benefits is being an antiviral. And sure enough, there are a number of studies that demonstrate lemon balm’s positive effects on cold sores. Following my normal course of action, I decided to take that and run with it.
Since most of us, I assume, put something on our lips on a fairly regular basis, why not just incorporate that antiviral capacity into your daily lip balm? And since we just saw how simple it is to make your own lip balm, then this should be no problem, right? Homemade cold sore treatment in about 10 minutes.
The basic process is the same, we’re just going to add lemon balm to the mix. So keep that 3:1:1 ratio, but instead of a straight olive or coconut oil, use an oil that you’ve infused with lemon balm (fill a jar with the leaves, cover with oil, and let it sit for 4-6 weeks; or put in an uncovered crock pot on the lowest setting and let it sit overnight).
Lemon Balm Lip Salve – Easy Cold Sore Treatment
- 2 Tbsp lemon balm-infused oil
- 3 tsp grated beeswax
- 2 tsp shea or cocoa butter
- 6-8 drop lemon balm essential oil, for an extra cold sore-busting boost (or whatever other flavor you want)
Melt the first three ingredients in a small glass measuring cup, stirring to combine. Add the essential oil and mix well.
Pour into empty lip balm tubes or tins and let cool for 10-15 minutes.
Use daily for prevention, or whenever a cold sore strikes.
Note: I don’t get cold sores to begin with, and S hasn’t been using this long enough to determine its efficacy. It may not work at all, so don’t necessarily expect a miracle. If, after a year, she hasn’t gotten any new ones, I’ll post an update and assume that it works, at least to some degree! Also, canker sores are in no way related to cold sores, so this won’t help.
How much oil do you infuse with lemon essential oil? I didn’t know whether to use a whole bottle, a 1/2 an ounce or what? I would really like to make this for my husband who gets cold sores because Abreva costs a fortune. Thanks.
I think you’re addressing two separate components. First, you can infuse actual lemon balm in oil, and for that, just grab a handful (1/2 cup?) of leaves and cover with oil to infuse. The oil should just cover the leaves, so don’t fill the jar unless the jar is also full of leaves. Second, lemon balm essential oil is different from infused oil, and you should only add 5-6 drops of that to your final product.
FYI, Lemon balm essential oil is also called Melissa essential oil. If you’re having trouble finding it.
Has the lemon balm actually worked for the cold sores?
Honestly, I don’t get cold sores, so I can’t say from personal experience. I do know several people, though, who have had great success with it!