Essential Oil and Cold Sores
Most of us have heard of cold sores; in fact, about 80% of adults experience cold sores first-hand. They’re painful blisters which pop up around the mouth, nose and chin, causing discomfort and sometimes making it difficult to eat or speak without them cracking. Because they appear on the face, people with cold sores often feel extremely conscious about how they look too.
Cold sores usually surface during times of fatigue, stress, emotional discomfort or when the body is already fighting an infection. While cold sores are not dangerous, they are highly contagious and can be very uncomfortable and sore.
The medical term for facial cold sores is Herpes Simplex Virus (or HSV-1). Unfortunately, once you have the virus, it stays with you forever. So, it’s important to find a way to manage cold sores as best you can. Numerous Essential oils are believed to combat the symptoms associated with cold sores by working to fight the infection and reduce its occurrence, becoming a popular lip sore remedy as an all- natural medicine for cold sores.
Benefits Of Essential Oils for Cold Sores
So, how have essential oils become a natural cure for cold sores?
It’s thought that using essential oils for cold sores is beneficial because various oils contain natural antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Collectively, these properties have been seen to reduce the appearance and symptoms associated with cold sores. Essential Oils are also believed to help prevent the occurrence of cold sores through their therapeutic and calming properties.
Using essential oils for cold sores can help in the following ways:
- Calming symptoms
- Inhibiting growth of viruses
- Soothes irritation and discomfort of symptoms
- Shorten the duration of symptoms
Best Essential Oils for Cold Sores
The best essential oils for cold sores can help to target more than the resulting blisters but to fight the virus itself. Here are a few of our favourite natural cold sore treatments.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
There is a good reason Tea Tree Oil and cold sores make the perfect partnership.
Due to its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties, Tea Tree Essential Oil is one of the most popular essential oils for skin complaints like eczema, acne, chickenpox and sunburn – AND treating cold sores!
A 2010 study found that Tea Tree Oil had the potential to be an antiviral agent against the HSV-1 strain. As such, many people are said to rely on Tea Tree Oil (or Melalueca oil) for cold sore medication.
With a sharp, cleansing aroma, Tea Tree Oil is also known for its powerful analgesic, decongesting, and healing properties, making it one of the most versatile essential oils around.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil is filled with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties and is believed to help cleanse while reducing redness, irritation and inflammation. These benefits help make Peppermint a popular choice for cold sores.
Furthermore, a 2003 study found that the properties of Peppermint Oil could calm the symptoms associated with the HSV-1 virus.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The clean, decongesting and natural scent of Eucalyptus Essential Oil is known for its versatile properties that promote healing inside and out.
With its high concentration of the 1,8 Cineole compound, Eucalyptus Oil is a popular choice for helping to fight infection, reduce inflammation, irritation and redness. When diluted in a carrier oil and applied on the skin, it can promote the healing of cuts, wounds and abrasions while also easing inflammation.
In terms of treating oral herpes, a 2017 review found that due to its unique chemical structure, Eucalyptus Oil has the potential to reduce the severity and duration of cold sore symptoms. It also has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that can inhibit the growth of bacteria and boost the immune system.
Clove Essential Oil
An essential oil widely known as an effective provider of pain relief, Clove Oil is a front-runner as one of best oils for easing cold sores naturally.
Clove Oil has strong antiviral properties due to its key constituent, eugenol. Studies have shown that eugenol can effectively reduce viral activity, preventing the virus causing cold sores, HSV-1, from replicating.
Eugenol also acts as a local anesthetic, providing immediate relief from the pain and discomfort associated with cold sores by numbing the affected area. The anti-inflammatory effects of eugenol help reduce the swelling, redness, and irritation of cold sores, promoting faster healing.
Chamomile Essential Oil
While Chamomile Oil is best known for its calming and relaxing properties, it can also provide support in other ways - in particular, fighting cold sores.
According to one US study, Chamomile Oil has been found to contain antiviral properties, which can help stop HSV-1 from replicating. Apigenin and luteolin, other compounds found in Chamomile, have also shown antiviral activity.
Key components in Chamomile Oil, bisabolol and chamazulene, contain strong anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce the swelling, redness, and pain associated with herpes sores.
What’s more, Chamomile promotes faster healing of skin and mucous membrane wounds. Its compounds facilitate tissue regeneration and repair, which can help speed up the healing process of herpes sores. Also, the soothing and calming properties of chamomile can provide relief from the discomfort and itching often associated with lip sores.
Lavender Essential Oil
Beautiful aromatic Lavender Oil is another option to help cold sores.
Lavender has been used for centuries to soothe skin irritations and is said to ease the pain caused by cold sores. As a natural sedative, it can also promote rest - and sleep itself is a great healer for many ailments, including cold sore blisters.
While it may not have any direct impact on the underlying cold sore virus, Lavender is still a favourite among those wanting a natural cold sore remedy.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
The distinctive woody yet sweet scent of Sandalwood Oil lends itself to many a cologne bottle. Yet this essential oil contains plenty of natural healing properties too.
Alpha-Santalol is the most prominent compound in Sandalwood Oil, typically making up about 50-60% of the oil. While largely responsible for its woody and sweet fragrance, this constituent contains anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and sedative properties – all effective in helping fight HSV-1, according to one study.
Sandalwood Oil is also known for its skin-soothing and healing properties. It can help in the regeneration of skin tissues and may promote faster healing of the affected area.
Dilution Guidelines When Using
Natural Oils for Cold Sores
Essential oils have a very high concentration, so it’s important to apply a safe amount when using topically and always dilute your oils with a carrier oil before topical application. The best carrier oils to use for cold sores include:
Natural Oils for Cold Sores
Dilute a few drops of your preferred essential oil with a chosen carrier oil or moisturiser, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply one or two drops to the affected area throughout the day.
Dilution guidelines for cold sores:
| Essential Oil | Facial application | Effects |
| Tea Tree | 0.5-1% | Heals |
| Peppermint | 1-2% | Cools, heals |
| Eucalyptus | 1-2% | Heals |
| Clove | 1-2% | Calms, heals |
| Chamomile | 1-2% | Soothes, heals |
| Lavender | 1-2% | Relaxes, heals |
| Sandalwood | 1-2% | Soothes, heals |
Other Lip Sore Remedies
Aside from essential oils, there are a variety of additional ways to help treat cold sores, including:
- Over the counter remedies: there are many antiviral creams available to help reduce swelling and pain.
- Prescribed medication: based on the severity, a GP may choose to prescribe a course of cold sore medication to help clear the blisters quickly.
- Cool compress: try applying a cold, damp cloth to the affected area to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Aloe vera gel: apply directly on the cold sore to soothe the irritation and promote healing.
- Manage Stress: practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, as stress can trigger outbreaks.
- Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water to help the body heal.
If your cold sores are not healing and the severity continues to increase, it is recommended to speak to your GP, certified aromatherapist or healthcare professional.
Where To Buy Essential Oils for Cold Sores
Essential oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, although it is important to keep in mind that the purity and quality of these products will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO, we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities our costs are significantly less, which allows us to offer our high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!
Essential Oil Safety
While essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm or irritation if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils or using them within the mouth.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your essential oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). See our recommended dilution percentages in the section about ‘How to use essential oils for cold sores’.
Resources
Asanti, A., Reichling, J., & Schnitzler P, 2010, ‘Comparative study on the anti-viral activity of selected monoterpenes derived from essential oils’, Phytotherapy Research, vol. 24, pp. 673 - 679.
Dhakad, A.K., et al, 2017, ‘Biological, medicinal and toxicological significance of Eucalyptus leaf essential oil: a review’, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, vol. 98, no. 3, pp. 833 - 848.
Schuhmacher, A., Reichling, J., & Schnitzler P., 2003, ‘Virucidal effect of peppermint oil on the enveloped viruses herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in vitro’, Phytomedicine, vol. 10, no. 6-7, pp. 504 - 510.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness.