How to Use Garlic to Cold Sores?

Cold sores are traditionally known as fever blisters. They are basically swollen, small, red blisters that mainly sprout around the lips. They also form in the mouth and other parts of the face as well. These blisters are caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses. The prescribed medications are the same as those for treating a common cold. There are yet no such medications to fight these blisters particularly. So it is preferable to fall back on natural remedies to combat these problems.(1)

One of the preferred remedies is the use of garlic to fight these blisters. Given below are some methods of using garlic combat the blisters.

Does Garlic Work for Cold Sores?

If you need proof of the workability of garlic then you need to go through the following points. They will assure you why you can trust on garlic to work its wonders on your tiny blisters.(2)

• The enzymes present in garlic have plenty of anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties that help to combat the blisters. It enhances the healing process and cures the sores.
• It is able to combat the root cause of the sores. Garlic contains an antiviral compound called kyolic that fights the flu causing virus to get rid of the problem.
• Garlic boosts the immune system and ensures that there is no recurrence of cold sores. It has good quantities of indole-3-carbinol (i3c) along with other essential nutrients that enhances immunity.
• It penetrates the skin deeply and nourishes the skin.

How to Use Garlic for Cold Sores?

1. Eating Raw Garlic for Cold Sores

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 large cloves of garlic crushed
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 cup of warm water.

Procedure:

• The garlic must be crushed to a smooth paste.
• Mix it to the water along with the honey
• Stir it so that the ingredients mix well
• Drink this mixture at once
• Drink this mixture 2 times daily for best results
• You can combine this method along with any one of the methods given below.

Benefit: The allicin in garlic is easily activated in this procedure and helps to fight cold sores faster.(3)

2. Honey and Garlic for Cold Sores

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 large cloves of garlic crushed
• 2 teaspoons of honey

Procedure:

• Mix the crushed garlic and honey thoroughly
• Clean your face thoroughly with your usual face wash.
• Pat your face dry.
• Apply the mixture on the sores.
• Let it rest till it dries completely.
• Rinse it off with cold water and pat it dry.
• Repeat the process 2 to 3 times a day till skin is healed completely.

Benefit: The anti bacterial properties of honey help the immune system to fight the germs faster.(4)

3. Garlic and Ice for Cold Sores

Ingredients:

• 1 cube of ice
• 2 to 3 large cloves of garlic, crushed.

Procedure:

• Clean your face thoroughly with your usual face wash.
• Pat your face dry.
• Gently apply the crushed garlic on your blisters.
• Let it rest till it dries.
• Remove the residue.
• Gently massage the ice cube on the blisters till the ice cube melts.
• Repeat 2 times daily.

Benefit: Ice cubes soothes the sores while the garlic works its wonders on the sores.(5)

4. Garlic and Olive Oil for Cold Sores

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of garlic oil
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• A cotton ball.

Procedure:

• Mix the olive oil and garlic oil thoroughly.
• Clean your face thoroughly with your regular face wash.
• Pat it dry.
• Gently massage this oil on your face.
• Let it rest for 10 minutes so that the skin can absorb the oil.
• Rinse your face with warm water.
• Pat it dry
• Repeat the process 2 to 3 times a day till skin is healed.

Benefit: Olive oil reduces inflammation and skin irritation caused by cold sores.(6)

These are some of the common methods of using garlic in combating the tiny painful blisters. If the problem is not healed then consult a doctor. You must maintain a healthy diet while combating you blisters. Ensure you are drinking loads of water. Garlic leaves a bad taste in the mouth and also a bad odour. Make sure that you are brushing regularly. If you are on blood thinners, then consult your doctor before consuming garlic.

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• How to Use Coconut Oil for Cold Sores?
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