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Read from start to the end of the page, adopt, make your own cold sore remedy & you are blister less. |
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Cold sore - fever blisters - Herpes virus,
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 Prunella vulgaris - Self heal |
 Melissa officinalis - Lemon balm |
↓ A few very important points for -you can not be without ↓
Let's look first at the diet and why it is a very important part of controlling the cold sore virus as well as reducing the frequency.
Researches have found that the ratio of the amino acids 'L-arginine' (sometimes called only arginine or pronounced also arganine) and 'L-lysine' plays very important part in controlling (not curing!) cold sores. A diet low in arginine and high in L-lysine has become a very popular addition to the treatment of the herpes virus. A list of foods rich in lysine and low in arginine is outlined in the tables in this informational material for your convenience.
This particular dietary approach arose from research showing that lysine has antiviral activity due to blocking amino acid arginine. It was proven that HSV (herpes simplex) replication requires the manufacture of protein very rich in arginine, and also the studies suggested that arginine itself is a stimulator of HSV replication. According to the studies the successful replication of HSV depends on high levels of arginine and low levels of lysine. In the most recent studies the lysine was given to a group of people in high doses (1 gram three times a day), together with dietary restriction of nuts and chocolate, the studies showed significant reduction in recurrence in 74% of people participating in this trial.
L-lysine is an essential amino acid, which mean that it is essential to our health but can't be manufactured by our body. It must be obtained from our diet.
The ideal diet during the cold sore outbreak should consist of a high consumption of yogurt, fresh fish such as shark (flake fillets), chicken, beef, goat's and cow's milk, tofu, soy milk, eggs, cheese in moderation, cottage cheese, beans, fruits and veggies such as figs, dates, peaches, tomatoes and asparagus.
L-arginine is non-essential amino acid, which means our body is able to manufacture it in our liver from other amino acids. Deficiencies of a nonessential amino acid will not occur if a well-balanced diet is consume because the intake of proper foods will allow the body to produce exactly the amount of amino acid required to function optimally.
Arginine foods should be avoided to prevent an attack and eliminated from diet completely during the outbreak. These include chocolate, cocoa, all types of nuts, hazel nuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia. Brown and white rice, corn, coconut, gelatin jelly, rye, barley, wheat should also be avoided.
→ List of foods rich in L-lysine vs. L-arginine
Now, the aim of treatment of cold sores is to shorten the current attack and most importantly to prevent recurrences. By now we have already learned few tricks and simple rules to follow, but what was the great discovery on my journey to cold sore free life? As I mention in the introduction of this article, it was a simple herb from my grandmother's garden, the herb she used whole her life as a beautiful tasty tea before she went to bed. What exactly is this magic herb and where does it come from?
Melissa officinalis herb, or better known as Lemon Balm probably originates from Asia, but has grown around Mediterranean for several thousand years. This herb has been cultivated over 2000 years. Originally it was grown as a bee plant, which probably gave it its name Melissa, which is Greek word for "honey bee". Its medicinal properties were promoted by Arab physicians in the 10th and 11th centuries. They regarded Lemon Balm as elixir of life for body and soul, driving out depression and reinvigorating the body. It has strong lemon-scented volatile oils, which have anti-viral activity.
You may ask why this herb would do more for me then any other anti-viral cream I can buy in the supermarket or pharmacy. Rather then any single antiviral chemical, Lemon Balm contains several components that work together to prevent the virus from infecting the human cells. The herb contains polyphenols, which combat the herpes simplex virus by relieving the cold sore symptoms,shortening their duration and reducing the chances of further outbreaks.
Trials were conducted in Germany, where Lemon Balm cream was used on the patients at the time of the initial herpes infection. The studies were done in three different hospitals and demonstrated that not a single recurrence occurred, in other words, by using this cream not a single person with a first herpes outbreak developed another cold sore. These particular trials also showed that Lemon Balm also rapidly interrupted the infection and promoted healing of the blisters much more quickly then normal. The Lemon Balm helped the cold sore heal completely within 5 days and as you know it normally takes about 10-14 days for a cold sore to heal entirely. Now when they studied Lemon Balm actions in people with recurrent cold sores, the researches found out that if the suffering person used Lemon Balm cream regularly, they would either stop having recurrences or there was huge reduction in the frequency of the recurrences (on average a cold sore free period longer then 3.5 months). At this point I decided to try to make myself a treatment that could help me to get rid of unwanted and unpleasant cold sores which were controlling my life when an outbreak occurred. After all what could I lose after trying all possible and available cold sore treatments over many years? Before I tell you how to make your own treatment from Lemon Balm, let me tell you more about this great herb.
Besides being a herb with great anti-viral properties, its key actions are as a relaxant, antispasmodic and nerve tonic. As I mentioned before this herb is known for many centuries, and before we learned about its wonderful anti-viral properties Greek and Arab physicians were using it for its calming effect on nervous system. The relaxing properties of the herb have been at the forefront of uses in folk medicine for years. Tea made with the leaves of this herb is a well proven nightcap especially for people who suffer nervous tension and heart spasms. Centuries ago it was called "elixir of life" and "sovereign for brain, strengthening the memory, and powerfully chasing away melancholy." It is also scientifically proven that it is very helpful in controlling an over active thyroid. It doesn't end here; Lemon Balm can also be useful for digestive problems caused by over-anxiety, indigestion, acidity, nausea, and bloating as well as colicky pain. As you can see you can basically use this herb on a daily bases.
Recent medical research shown that there is another well known herb that can be used effectively to fight the herpes virus. This herb is called Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as Self-heal, or lately called the "Herbal Herpes Cure." It contains the compound called Lignin-Carbohydrate which has ability to act on herpes virus by inhibiting viral binding and penetration into host cell. You can see the recent studies performed on how this herb can be effective in fighting herpes virus on Pubmed.org. (vulgaris = common)
Prunella vulgaris herb has been used as and alternative medicine for centuries. The whole plant can be use as medicinal; it has many useful constituents which posse's antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, carminative, antipyretic, diuretic, hypotensive, styptic and vermifuge properties. It is great to use for internal and external wounds, if applied in a cream or oil form onto the cold sore it lessens the number of outbreaks and lesions. One of the main constituents in Lemon Balm and Prunella is Rosmarinic Acid, which has strong anti-viral activities. You can prepare your own treatment the same way as you prepare Lemon Balm ointment or tincture, just replace the Lemon Balm herb with Prunella vulgaris (Self-heal), or if you like you may also combine both herbs together 50:50
Self-Heal is native to Europe; it is rather an invasive as a garden plant but is well worth it as it has a long history of use in herbal medicine. If you are interested in planting and harvesting Self-Heal yourself the best time to do this is in autumn or spring by seed sown or by division only in spring. Prunella likes moist, well drained soil in sun or light shade. Plants are cut in summer when they are flowering. They can be used fresh or dried in infusions, tinctures and ointments.
Prunella vulgaris medicinal herb is edible and can be used as an alternative medicine for number of different health complaint. For many years it has been effectively used to prepare a styptic for wounds and can be also made into gargles or mouthwashes for mouth ulcers and throats. For making these we can use whole flowering plant, fresh or dried in the shade. It can be also used in salad, soups or boiled as pot herb; it is very tasty and refreshing beverage and as a weak infusion it can be used as an eye wash for sties and pinkeye.
If you are keen gardener you know the feeling of the unique pleasure of growing your own herbs. You can easily plant your own Lemon Balm, maybe it is already part of your garden, so all you need to do is just harvest it and make your own remedy. However not all of us are keen gardeners and may not have the time to grow own herbs. Don't worry there are plenty of stores with good quality dried or fresh herbs available and the satisfaction of producing your own herbal remedy is still possible.
To ensure quality of the herb only buy from established herbal suppliers. How do you know that the herbs are good quality? Dried herbs should not be stored in the clear glass jars or in sunlight. The color of the herb should be bright and aromatic herbs should have a distinct taste and smell. If the herbs look dull in color they are probably old and have lost their medicinal properties.
When preparing your own remedies try to avoid using aluminum utensils as aluminum is easily absorbed by herbs, instead try to use steel or wooden spatulas or knives and plastic or nylon sieves. Ideally all utensils should be sterilized in sterilizing solution - you can use a sterilizer used for sterilizing baby bottles.
If you suffer an outbreak and don't have treatment on hand, the fastest way to prepare it is to make hot infused oil. When you infuse a herb in oil it allows its active fat soluble ingredients to be extracted. Hot infused oils can last up to 12 months; however they are most potent when used fresh or within 4 months after making.
What do you need?
This is a really easy way of making the remedy for your cold sore. All you need to do is stir dry or fresh chopped herbs in olive or sunflower oil in a glass bowl, which you place over the pan with boiling water. Cover the bowl and simmer very gently on a low heat for 2-3 hours. After this period of time remove from heat and let it cool. When the mixture is cooled down pour into the cheese cloth (you can use also wine press fitted with a mesh bag), and collect the strained oil in a glass jug, extracting all liquid. After this you simply pour the infused oil into the dark glass bottles, label them and store up to 12 months (for the best potency and results use it within 6 months).
Tinctures are made by soaking the herb in alcohol, by which we achieve a relatively stronger action than that of infusions. Tinctures can last up to 2 years if stored properly in a dark cool place.
What do you need?
Place the herb in the glass jar and pour 100ml of alcohol.
Close, place the label on and shake the jar for about 1-2 minutes. The jar has to be closed tightly, so the liquid can't evaporate or leak.
Store in the dark cold place for 14 days and shake the jar daily for about 1-2 minutes.
After two weeks you can start to extract the liquid. Set up the wine press (or use the cheesecloth) and place a mesh bag inside, (alternatively you can use cheesecloth which is equally effective). Pour on the mixture and collect the extract in the jug. Slowly close the wine press, collecting the remaining liquid. After this procedure is completed decant the mixture into the dark glass bottle(s) using funnel. Place a label onto the bottle with the name of the herb and date of extraction. Place it in cool and dark place and use it whenever you need to for up to 2 years.
So now you have learned how to make the tincture, it really is not a difficult exercise and has many other benefits when compared to product from the shop. It lasts longer; it's more powerful; it's cheaper then ready made products; and you can control the quality of the product. Most importantly there is something special about being involved in looking after your own health as well as make a positive contribution to health within your own families and immediate environment.
A tincture is easy to use and you can apply it on your cold sore up to 4 times a day. Because it is alcohol based it is also drying, which means it will dry up the cold sore faster as well. However not everyone is keen on using a tincture and would rather use an ointment. If you are one of these people here is how you can successfully make your own ointment. Keep in mind, that you can use any herb you like following the same instructions for Lemon Balm ointment. The instruction are always the same and if you like the Lemon Balm preparation you can make for yourself other tinctures and ointments for other conditions as well.
Ointment is basically heated fats or oils mixed with herbs. They don't contain water and form a separate layer on the surface of the skin, by which they protect against inflammation and also carry active herbal medicinal properties to the affected area. Because cold sores need to be protected from outside moisture, ointments are very beneficial to use. To prepare the ointment we can use many different bases, the most common and simplest is using petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax. Ointment, as with tincture needs to be stored in dark glass jars usually up to 3 months. The standard dose with lemon balm ointment is to apply it during the outbreak 4 times a day.
What do you need?
Melt 50g of petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax in a glass bowl, which you set in a pan of boiling water.
Add 6g of dried or 15g of fresh herb (Lemon Balm).
Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour into a jelly bag secured to a jug .
Using the rubber gloves squeeze as much of the hot herbal ointment as possible.
Pour the molten ointment into the sterilized jars (if you don't do this straight away the ointment sets in the jar, making it impossible later to pour.)
Place the lids on without securing it firmly.
Once the ointment has cooled down, tighten the lids.
Label and store in a dark and cool place for up to 3 months
Here we go, now you know how to make your own tincture and ointment, which can honestly make a huge difference to you and your life with a cold sore.
If you are interested in planting and harvesting Lemon Balm yourself, the best time to plant Lemon Balm seeds in autumn or spring. You can also do this with stem cuttings. Lemon Balm loves moist soil and will do well in sun or partial shade. To produce a fresh crop of leaves, cut back the plants each time after flowering. This plant is perennial and can grow between 50cm - 100cm or 20" - 39" (inches) tall. The leaves have a similar smell to lemons and are usually picked before the plant flowers. Lemon Balm flowers from June to September. It is not difficult to grow this plant and it thrives in most gardens.
So far I have talked about the medicinal uses of Lemon Balm, now I will tell you about it's culinary uses. You can use it in salads, soups and sauces to give a lemon flavor. If you plant Lemon Balm near your kitchen window as it has powerful insect-repellant effects and will chase away unwanted insects such as flies and mozzies. As an ointment or cream it can be applied to insect bites to sooth the pain and itch.
The immune system protects the body against infection and the development of many different illnesses. If you suffer recurrent or chronic infections (remember cold sores are recurrent), they are all signs that your immune system is weak and needs support. From a medical point of view, supporting and enhancing the immune system is one of the most important steps in preventing recurrent cold sores. Remember me talking about how stress can trigger the onset of a cold sore? Well, stress is a major factor in depressing the immune system. A very common cause of a weak immune system is nutrients deficiency, and you won't be surprised when I tell you that too much sugar and refined foods in the diet is responsible for a low count of white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infections.
There isn't one simple solution for immediately restoring good immune function. The immune system is very complex and thanks to our busy lifestyles these days it is also constantly under attack. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as it goes a long way towards establishing a healthy immune system. This includes healthy diet, increasing your intake of green vegetables, eating regular meals, regular exercise, low sugar consumption, low fat intake, more than 7 hours of sleep.
There are a few herbs that have been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties as well as positive effects on the immune system. Two of the most popular herbs to support the immune system are Echinacea and Astragalus. Both of these herbs stimulate the body's natural defense mechanism.
These herbs are probably the most widely used herbs in the Western world for enhancing the immune system. In addition to immune support Echinacea exerts direct antiviral activity and helps prevent the spread of bacteria. Alkamides which are the key component of Echinacea, strengthen the immune system thereby increasing resistance to infection. Astragalus has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to fight viral infection and boost up immune system.
It is no secret that we as human beings are trying constantly look for different ways to improve our health and quality of life. Only recently has research begun to uncover a very potent therapeutic product, OLIVE LEAF EXTREACT. Today researchers are convinced that olive leaf extract is going to become the most useful wide spectrum anti-microbial herbal remedy of the 21st century. The earliest known use of Olive leaf extract for medicinal purposes was by the Ancient Egyptians more then 4000 years ago. Olive leaf extract is effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites but also has other health benefits. To us cold sore sufferers the one that is of high importance is that it is very effective in preventing and treating many types of viral infections, including most influenza and common cold viruses and herpes viruses. It also effectively enhances energy production in the body.
If you decide to take olive leaf extract to boost your immune system, the recommended dose is one 500mg capsule twice daily. You need to look for brands that have at least 10% of the active ingredient, oleuropein. If you choose olive leaf extract liquid the recommended dose is 5ml twice a day. If you are unwell (suffering of cold sore outbreak), 5ml four times a day is recommended to fight the infection.
As I was continuing with my research on how to improve immune system health in order to lessen the frequency and recurrence of cold sore, I came across with a relatively new product called IMMUNE PLUS from BioSource. . The main ingredient is Lactoferrin, which is a whey based glycoprotein component of cow's milk. It is also found in human colostrums, breast milk, tears and other secretions of the human body. The research shows that lactoferrin enhances the immune system, helps in the maintenance and improvement of well being in the body, plays an important role in defense mechanisms against bacteria, fungi and viruses, also helps with iron absorption and has anti-oxidant properties, which helps to protect the cells from the free radical damage.
As previously mentioned the key prevention and control of herpes infection is enhancement of the immune system. The most effective way to do this is to follow a diet rich in l-lysine and avoid foods rich in arginine. Realistically we all know that it is not always easy or possible to have a stress free life, eat only the right food or stay out of the sun. So what should we do once an outbreak comes?
The obvious goal of the treatment is to shorten the duration as much as possible and prevent further recurrences. If we want to achieve this it is absolutely necessary to support the immune system and follow the correct lysine/arginine diet. This combined approach plus appropriate nutritional supplements can be very effective in reducing severity, shortening the duration and preventing the recurrences of herpes infections.
Also daily intake of immune function enhancing nutrients such as Olive Leaf Extract, herbs such as Echinacea or Astragalis are very important in prevention and treatment of cold sores.
During initial symptoms use ice application, 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off for up to three cycles.
Tincture or cream from Lemon Balm up to 5 times a day.
Infusion prepared from Lemon Balm and Mint Leaves with 1ml of Tea Tree added to it. Apply to the places where you already had a herpes outbreak previously. Apply three times a day.
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