In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use milk for cold sores. There has been a lot of debate over the years as to whether or not drinking milk is good for you.
Some say yes, while others say that drinking milk is unhealthy.
I drink raw, organic whole milk…and I love it.
Using milk in moderation seems to work very well for me, but I have family and friends that don’t tolerate milk well, so they avoid it.
If you’re like me and tolerate milk well, you may want to use milk for cold sores after you learn the awesome benefits I’m about to share with you.
Milk For Cold Sores – Cold Sore Overview
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.
Milk For Cold Sores – How it Works
Using milk for cold sores has multiple benefits, and I’m really excited to share these with you.
Using milk for cold sores helps because it:
- Contains high levels of L-lysine which fights the herpes simplex virus
- Boosts the immune system
- Relaxes the nervous system and reduces stress
I prefer using raw, organic whole milk from grass-fed cows.
Pasteurized milk lacks important immune-boosting bacteria which raw milk contains.
Now that you know the three main reasons using milk for cold sores works, let’s briefly review each one.
Milk For Cold Sores – Importance of L-Lysine
In 1981, Christopher Kagan, M.D., discovered that if he isolated HSV in a petri dish, and added the amino acid L-arginine, the virus would multiply.
However, when he added L-lysine, the virus’s ability to multiply became inhibited.
He realized the virus becomes inhibited because lysine blocks the bioavailability of arginine, which prevents the virus from replicating.
Herpes Simplex Virus
In simple terms, the virus that causes cold sores has a very difficult time replicating when there are high levels of lysine, and low levels of arginine in the body.
This is where milk can help.
By consuming foods and beverages with a high lysine/low arginine ratio, you can help to prevent cold sores.
Milk has a ratio of around 0.75 gram of lysine and 0.25 gram of arginine, or three times as much lysine as arginine. Yogurt and other dairy products also have favorable ratios of lysine to arginine.
Milk For Cold Sores – Immune System Benefits
Using milk for cold sores boosts the immune system in a few different ways. Milk contains proteins known as immunoglobulins, also referred to as antibodies, which are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells).
They act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically recognizing and binding to particular antigens, such as bacteria or viruses, and aiding in their destruction.
Using milk for cold sores allows these antibodies to aid in the destruction of the herpes simplex virus.
Raw organic milk from grass-fed cows contains beneficial bacteria that prime your immune system and can reduce allergies.
It is also an outstanding source of the following immune-boosting nutrients:
- Vitamin A
- Zinc
- Enzymes
- Beneficial fats
Milk For Cold Sores – Relaxation Nutrients
Along with having a high lysine/low arginine ratio and immune-boosting nutrients, milk also contains relaxing minerals that can decrease stress.
Since stress is the number one cold sore trigger, it’s important to focus on stress management.
Nutrition is just one of the many ways to reduce stress.
Milk is rich in the following “anti-stress” minerals:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
In naturopathic medicine, these minerals are commonly used in supplement form to combat stress.
How To Use Milk For Cold Sores
There are essentially two ways to use milk for cold sores. You can use milk to prevent cold sores, and you can also use it topically to treat a cold sore outbreak.
Here’s how to use milk for cold sores:
- To prevent cold sores, drink milk a few times a week or as needed.
- To treat a cold sore, apply a tablespoon of cold milk to a cotton ball and touch it to your lesion for a few minutes, then gently wipe off with a moistened towel. Repeat several times a day.
- Make sure to use raw, organic whole milk if you can. If you cannot find raw milk, organic whole milk will also work.
Along with drinking milk, there are many other things you can do to help prevent cold sores. Click here to read my Comprehensive Cold Sore Prevention Plan.
If you having any comments or questions on how to use milk for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
J c says
Milk makes coldsores happen form, can’t drink it, have it withcereal, eat chocolate, why?
Matt says
Well, I do know that chocolate and many types of cereal are high in arginine and trigger cold sore outbreaks in many lots of people. I wonder if that could by why.
Chloe Gannon says
Hi I had a cold sore for the last 2 weeks and it won’t go I tried special oil and cream can you help me to get rid of it
Matt says
Yes, I can help you get rid of it. I’m going to post a link to an article that has the top cold sore remedies which can help it to go away faster.
Cold Sore Remedies THAT WORK>>