In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use aloe vera for cold sores. For around 20 years, I would suffer from frequent cold sore outbreaks. This led to low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and shame, and tendencies to isolate from the world.
I would hide in my room for 1-2 weeks during a cold sore outbreak, though things like work and school would make me have to go out in public. I’ve now been cold sore-free for over three years, as I’ve learned a superabundance of extraordinary methods for cold sore treatment and prevention.
I started this blog to teach people how they too can prevent and treat cold sores using all of the amazing treatment methods available.
Recently, I learned about the use of aloe vera for cold sores…and after doing some in-depth research, I’ve found out some marvelous aloe vera cold sore benefits. Now let’s take a look at exactly how aloe vera can treat cold sores.
Cold Sores
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimuli (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again.
Aloe Vera For Cold Sores
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that contains a healing green gel inside the leaves. Aloe vera has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. The plant is native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands. Today, aloe vera is grown in tropical climates worldwide.
Growing up as a surfer in Southern California, I often used aloe vera for sunburns.
Along with treating burns, aloe vera also has a multitude of other skin benefits, which includes helping treat cold sores.
Aloe vera contains the following nutrients that help with cold sores:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins
- Enzymes
- Fatty Acids
- Hormones
- Minerals
- Amino Acids
Using aloe vera for cold sores leads to the following benefits:
- Accelerates healing
- Reduces pain
- Antiviral
- Anti-inflammatory
- Moisturizing
Research on Aloe Vera For Cold Sores
Research suggests that aloe vera inactivates a variety of viruses. According to a study published in the December 1991 journal, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, aloe vera inactivates the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores.
According to a 2005 article in Biotech Week, aloe vera can treat a variety of oral health issues, including cold sores and canker sores (the sores that occur inside the mouth).
This aloe vera plant is truly healing in many ways, and I love learning about research that confirms the benefits of using aloe vera for cold sores.
How To Use Aloe Vera on a Cold Sore
Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of using aloe vera for cold sores, let’s discuss how you can use this healing natural remedy to treat those unsightly and painful lesions.
Tips for using aloe vera for cold sores:
- Purchase a high-quality aloe vera gel product such as Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel, or something comparable.
- Apply aloe vera gel three times per day until a cold sore lesion has dried.
- Wash your hands before and after you apply aloe vera gel on the cold sore.
Aloe Vera For Cold Sores – Conclusion
Many people have used aloe vera gel to help reduce the healing time and severity of symptoms of cold sores. Aloe vera gel is one of the most beneficial natural methods of cold sore treatment.
Here are the key concepts to remember:
- Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus
- Aloe vera inactivates the herpes simplex virus which leads to acceleration of healing
- Aloe vera reduces the pain from a cold sore blister and acts as an anti-inflammatory
The key to cold sores is to prevent them from forming in the first place.
Thus, I encourage you to check out my Ultimate Guide to Preventing Cold Sores.
It’s free and has absolutely everything you need to know.
If you have any comments or questions on the use of aloe vera for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Dorothy Geoffrey says
I HAVE DEVELOPED A COLD SORE ON MY LIP.
I HAVEN’T HAD ONE FOR YEARS AND I WONDERED IF I CAN USE ALOE VERA GEL FROM A LEAF OF THE PLANT.I HAVE READ THAT I CAN BUT WOULD SOME ONE PLEASE ASSURE ME I CAN.
Matt says
Hi Dorothy,
Yes using aloe vera for cold sores can help, and of course the gel from a leaf of the plant is freshest so this should assist you.
Kayla S. says
I got two cold sores on my top lip on each side, then i got a BIG cold sore with about 7 blisters on the bottom that completly made my bottom lip swell up so big it is right in the middle of my bottom lip. All these cold sores came at once. Today is the second day having them. Will aloe vera gel from a bottle help with the healing process and make them all shrink and go away faster? Or does aloe vera gel in a bottle bought from the store (wal mart) not work or not work as well? I was reading great things about aloe vera gel so i would love some advice. Also any advise on helping all these cold sores i just got go away or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Matt says
Oh that’s awful! I’ve been there Kayla. Had multiple cold sores at once and big! You’ll get through it, and in the meantime, I would recommend using some helpful topical remedies to assist it to heal faster.
Wal Mart typically does not have the highest quality natural remedies, but it could work. I’m going to post a link to the section of my website that has all of the topical remedies I’ve written about, that way you can look through them and see what you want to use. Lots of things help.
Topical Products for Cold Sores>>
Melanie says
Can i use sunburn aloe vera to help my cold sore?
Matt says
Fresh aloe vera gel is the best but some of the high-quality sunburn aloe products might offer benefits. But many of those have lots of other ingredients and some of those might not be good for a cold sore and might make it worse.
Jennifer Von Canon says
Add a lidocaine product as well. It helps with paid but for some reason using fresh aloe (I just use the plant) with lidocaine will double the healing time. If you catch it before the blister forms, it will usually stop it completely.
Kyla says
I recently got a cold sore from a “hot pocket” burn ???? the burn blistered and then turned into a cold sore! Of course it hurts like crazy so I decided to turn to the web. Ironically, I purchased my first aloe plant before the incident. When I came across this artical, I felt saved! I ran to the plant and applied just a small amount to the effected area.
I’m telling you it dried my cold sore in minutes, brought the swealing down entirely , and stopped the pain better then any over the counter medicine. I cannot thank you enough! ???? I will always recommend this remedy! Seriously, Try an Aloe plant before any over the counter medicine, it’s half the price and it’s great for multiple purposes!
Matt says
Wow what an awesome success story!! Thanks for sharing this here, Kyla. ????