Cold Sores (Homeopathy)

Primary Remedies

Calendula Ointment

This remedy keeps the skin or lips moisturized and speeds up healing.

Natrum muriaticum

This remedy sometimes stops a herpes outbreak if taken in the early, tingling stage. It is also helpful for raw, red cold sores that develop on the lips and corners of the mouth, as well as the nostril area, face, and chin. Eruptions may also appear in the genital area. Eating too much salt (which the person craves) and being in the sun sometimes aggravates the symptoms.

Rhus toxicodendron

This relieves small vesicles filled with a clear liquid on red and painful skin.

Other Remedies

Apis mellifica

This remedy relieves swollen, itching, burning skin or lips, relieved by cold applications.

Arsenicum album

Eruptions with burning pain relieved by applying heat suggest a need for this remedy. The person may feel anxious, restless, chilly, and exhausted.

Borax

This remedy can be useful for herpes eruptions in any area, with tense-feeling inflammation. Sensitivity to noise and a fear of falling are other indications for Borax.

Graphites

Herpes eruptions, with oozing of honey-like discharge and crusting and cracking of the skin, suggest a need for this remedy. The person may tend toward many problems with the skin, be stout, and have trouble concentrating.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum

Herpes sores that are very sensitive to touch and worse from any form of cold suggest a need for this remedy. A person who needs Hepar sulph is extremely sensitive to cold, and often has a low resistance to infection.

Mercurius solubilis

This remedy may be indicated for sore, infected eruptions—especially if the person has swollen lymph nodes and offensive breath, is extremely sensitive to temperatures, and tends to sweat at night.

Mezereum

this remedy relieves thick, whitish crusts with a yellowish secretion oozing under the crusts.

Petroleum

This remedy may be helpful for genital herpes that spread to the anal area and thighs. People who need this remedy have a tendency toward many skin problems, with rough, dry skin that cracks and bleeds.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the medicine that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that medicines be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the medicine work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient. If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different medicine.