Homemade Way to Kill a Cold Sore in Your Mouth

Common causes for cold sores, also known as the herpes simplex I virus, include increased stress, pregnancy, fatigue and poor diet. Reduce cold sore outbreaks by adding antioxidant-rich foods such as green vegetables, fruits and garlic to your diet, try to decrease stress and get enough sleep at night. Herbs such as Echinacea may help prevent future outbreaks. Even though there is no cure for cold sores, homemade remedies and over-the-counter medications are available.

Things You'll Need

• Ice cubes
• Tincture of Myrrh
• Cotton swabs
• Lemon balm oinment

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase myrrh tincture at your local health foods or vitamin store. Myrrh contains properties that help kill the herpes simplex I virus. Add two to five drops of myrrh tincture on a cotton swab and apply to the cold sore. Apply myrrh tincture up to 10 times a day until the cold sore heals.

• 2

  Rub an ice cube over the cold sore for a few minutes to reduce swelling. Repeat as needed between myrrh tincture treatments if pain and swelling persists.

• 3

  Purchase lemon balm cream or ointment at local health food or vitamin stores. A member of the mint family, lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is an herb found in many parts of the world. Lemon balm cream and ointment is used to treat health problems, such as indigestion, heartburn, insomnia and cold sores. Apply with a cotton swab to cold sore two to four times a day until the cold sore disappears. Lemon balm tea may be used instead of lemon balm cream or ointment to treat cold sores. Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes. Apply using a cotton swab at least three times a day to relieve swelling, itching and burning.