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.