DIY Essential Oil Blends for Lip Cold Sores
If you're one of the unfortunate people who frequently suffer from cold sores, you know how irritating and embarrassing they can be. You may have tried all kinds of over-the-counter medications, only to find that they don't always work well.
However, there's a natural alternative: essential oils. Essential oils are a powerful and effective way to heal cold sores. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best essential oils for treating cold sores, along with DIY recipes you can make at home.
Many essential oils have antiviral and healing properties, making them an excellent choice for treating cold sores. Let’s take a closer look at cold sores and how essential oils can help.
What Is a Cold Sore?
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are contagious blisters or sores that appear in the mouth area, usually on the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Common symptoms include:
- Itching, tingling, or burning sensation at the affected area
- Small fluid-filled blisters
- Oozing and crusting of the blister
The first outbreak typically lasts the longest, around two weeks, while subsequent flare-ups may last about a week.
Essential Oils for Cold Sores
When you feel that telltale tingle on your lip, it’s time to bring out the essential oils.
While there's no permanent cure for cold sores, certain oils can help speed up the healing process and prevent the sores from spreading.
Here are the top 8 essential oils for cold sores:
1. Lemon Balm Essential Oil (Melissa)
- Lemon balm is a calming and soothing oil that helps alleviate stress and tension, which may trigger a cold sore outbreak.
- It is a powerful antiviral oil that is safe for topical use.
- Research has shown that lemon balm can be effective against the herpes virus due to its lipophilic nature, which allows it to penetrate the skin.
2. Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Tea tree oil is known for its powerful antiviral, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties.
- It’s particularly effective in aiding the skin's healing process after the blister has broken open.
3. Lemon Essential Oil
- Lemon oil has long been known for its cleansing and medicinal properties.
- Be aware that lemon oil is phototoxic, so it’s best to use it in the evening or avoid sun exposure after application.
4. Peppermint Essential Oil
- Peppermint oil has been found effective in inhibiting the herpes virus. Its cooling action, taste, and scent make it a popular choice.
5. Lavender Essential Oil
- Lavender oil is an excellent skin healer and pain reliever, reducing the pain associated with cold sores.
- Its calming scent is appealing, and it pairs well with strong antiviral oils like clove or lemon balm.
6. Eucalyptus (Radiata) Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help reduce the severity of cold sores.
- Some people find its calming scent and soothing sensation particularly beneficial.
7. Clove Essential Oil
- Clove oil is an analgesic (pain reliever) with numbing properties, making it effective in soothing the painful burning and tingling associated with cold sores.
- Due to its strength, it’s best to dilute clove oil with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation.
8. Chamomile Essential Oil
- Chamomile oil is gentle, soothing, and comforting. It can be combined with other essential oils or diluted with a carrier oil before application.
- Both Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile can be used for cold sores.
Carrier Oils for Cold Sores
When using essential oils as a natural remedy for cold sores, it’s important to remember that essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. Without proper dilution, they can cause stinging or burning at the application site.
Here are two excellent carriers to use with cold sore essential oils:
Aloe Vera Gel - Aloe vera gel is commonly used to treat skin conditions like sunburns, infections, injuries, and burns. Its soothing and healing properties can ease discomfort and speed up the healing process of a cold sore. Be sure to buy the gel, not the jelly.
Virgin Coconut Oil (Unrefined) - Virgin coconut oil is a popular carrier oil that contains medium-chain triglycerides. It’s very moisturizing and soothing for lip sores. With anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it can reduce swelling and improve skin healing.
8 Best Essential Oil Blends for Cold Sores
Essential oils can be applied topically or inhaled. When using essential oils on a cold sore, it’s best to apply the oil blends and recipes directly to the blister or sore, typically on the lip.
** While I share a diffuser blend below, please note it is meant for overall wellness and not as a direct treatment for cold sores.
Here are some blends and recipes to naturally treat cold sores with essential oils:
1. Cold Sore Essential Oil Blend
- 5 drops Essential Oil (choose from the list above)
- 1 teaspoon Aloe Vera Gel
- Small lip balm jar
Directions: Add ingredients to a small lip balm jar and stir to blend. Apply a small dab to the affected area using a clean cotton swab each time to avoid contamination. 5% dilution.
2. Cold Sore Essential Oil Recipe
- 4-10 drops Essential Oil (choose from the list above)
- 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil
- 10 ml Roller Bottle
Directions: Add ingredients to a roller bottle and shake to mix. Roll onto the affected area. Once the sore heals, discard the remaining blend to avoid recontamination. 2-5% dilution.
3. Sore No More Blend
- 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 2 drops Melissa (Lemon Balm Oil)
- 1 drop Clove Essential Oil
- 1 teaspoon Aloe Vera Gel
- Small lip balm jar
Directions: Add ingredients to a small lip balm jar and stir to mix. Apply a small amount to the affected area with a clean cotton swab. 5% dilution.
4. Fever Blister Blend
- 2 drops Tea Tree Oil
- 2 drops Peppermint Oil
- 1 drop Lavender Oil
- 1 teaspoon Virgin Coconut Oil (unrefined, melted)
- Small lip balm jar
Directions: Add ingredients to a small lip balm jar and stir to mix. Apply a small amount to the affected area with a clean cotton swab. 5% dilution.
5. Supportive Cold Sore Diffuser Blend
** This is not a cold sore treatment but a supportive blend for overall wellness.
- 3 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree Oil
- 2 drops Lemon Balm Oil
- 1 drop Frankincense Essential Oil
- Aromatherapy Diffuser
Directions: Add essential oils to a diffuser, fill the water tank with the recommended amount, and turn it on to enjoy.
6. Cold Sore Balm
** This recipe lasts as long as the ingredients, assuming it is stored in a cool, dark place in a colored glass jar.
- 6 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 4 drops Tea Tree Oil
- 4 drops Geranium Essential Oil
- 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 1 oz Unrefined Coconut Oil (virgin, melted)
- 1 oz Glass Jar
Directions: Add ingredients to a small glass jar and stir to mix. Apply a small dab to the affected area using a clean cotton swab. Use as needed. 3% dilution.
7. Cold Sore Salve
** Prepare this salve ahead of time for use as needed. The tea tree and lemon balm oils can reduce the healing time of a cold sore and decrease the frequency of outbreaks.
- 12 drops Lemon Balm Essential Oil
- 6 drops Tea Tree Oil
- 1 oz Virgin Coconut Oil (unrefined, melted)
- 1 oz Glass Jar
Directions: Blend essential oils into the melted coconut oil. Pour into a small balm container and allow it to harden. Apply to the sore three times a day as needed using a clean cotton swab. 3% dilution.
8. Prevention Lip Balm Blend
** If you’re prone to fever blisters, try applying this blend to your lips each night.
- 2 drops Lemon Balm Essential Oil
- 2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 1 drop Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- 1 teaspoon Virgin Coconut Oil (unrefined, melted)
- Small lip balm jar
Directions: Add melted coconut oil to a small glass jar. Mix the oil blend into the melted coconut oil and allow it to harden. Apply to the sore with a clean cotton swab several times throughout the day as needed. 5% dilution.
Give these DIY blends a try the next time you are faced with a cold sore. You can even make these blends up in advance to have on hand or to give as a gift to a friend with a cold sore.