10 Common Remedies to Get Rid of Warts

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Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has over 100 types. Different types affect people in different ways, usually depending on the strength of their immune system.

Some strains (like the one that causes common warts) are relatively harmless, while others can pose much more serious problems. Because warts are caused by a virus, they can be spread to other parts of your body and to other people as well.

If mainstream methods have not worked for you (or you’d rather avoid treatments involving strange chemicals) try some of these straightforward home remedies for warts instead. They may not seem particularly extraordinary, but that makes them all the better in my opinion.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #1 - Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV is an all-star in the world of home remedies, so it’s not surprising that it’s first on a list of how to get rid of your wart. It’s simple, and many people have found success with it.

Apple Cider Vinegar does not actually kill the virus, but because of its high acidity it attacks the “flesh” that makes up the wart, kills the physical wart itself, and allows it to peel naturally from the skin.

In theory, this takes the virus with it, and it shouldn’t return anytime soon. Expect there to be some soreness/swelling in the beginning, it’s normal, but of course you can stop the treatment if it’s too much.

After a few days your wart will mature to a lovely dark shade or black-this is good. Finally, it will come off. Let it come off on its own, or the core might remain.

You will need…

-Roughly 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
-Cotton balls or a piece of cotton cloth
-A bandage, gauze, or another piece of cloth

Directions

Soak a cotton ball or a piece of cotton fabric in apple cider vinegar. Allow it to saturate, and then gently press out the excess liquid so that it is not dripping all over when you apply it.

Place it over your wart, and secure it with a strip of gauze or cloth. Do this every night and remove during the day-you can leave it on during the day as well! It is not instant, but the wart should die and come off within 1-2 weeks.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #2 - “Milk” of Milkweed

Milkweed grows wild across the world, and can be found along the road, in fields, or your backyard. While it is true that it can be toxic due to a “poison” called cardiac glycoside, it must be taken internally to have a toxic effect.

Because of this, don’t keep it around kids or pets, and do not get it in your eyes.

A small amount of the sap on the wart has been used as a natural remedy for centuries, and was a favorite by Native Americans. A proteolytic enzyme found in milkweed is thought to “digest and dissolve” the wart.

You will need…

-A few dabs of the sap (the liquid that looks like milk)

Directions

File your wart or use a pumice stone to get it slightly exposed (no need to go crazy, just slough off a bit of the top layer). Break a few leaves off of the plant and squeeze the bottom of the stem to release more of the sap.

Apply enough sap to cover your wart. Leave on and reapply as needed. If you develop any rash or skin irritation, stop and rinse off immediately! If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to steer clear of the milkweed.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #3 - Banana mash

Similar to milkweed, bananas contain a proteolytic enzyme that eats away at the wart.

You will need…

-1 banana peel
-something to scrap the inside of the peel with

Directions

Twice a day, scrape the whitish mush off the inside of banana peel, and apply it to your wart. Wash your hands well afterwards to keep the warts from spreading. Repeat until the wart is gone.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #4 - Utilize Vitamin C

It is thought that applying Vitamin C directly to the wart will destroy the virus causing it. Using lemon juice not only gives an extra boost of vitamin C, but the acid content helps “kill it off” so to speak.

You will need…

-1 vitamin C tablet
-A mortar and pestle or something else to crush the tablet with
-A tad bit of fresh lemon juice OR some water will do in a pinch

Directions

Crush up 1 vitamin C tablet, and add enough lemon juice or water to make a paste. Cover this with a bandage and reapply daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #5 - Get your basil on

When you have a wart, it’s time to get your basil on-literally. Because basil has a multitude of anti-viral components, and it’s a virus causing the wart, it will speed up the process of the wart going away.

You will need…

-1/4 cup or so of fresh basil leaves
-Something to crush the leaves with
-Some form of bandage

Directions

Crush up ¼ cup or so of fresh, well-rinsed, basil leaves until they are mushy and “juicy.” Apply to the wart, cover with a bandage or clean cloth, and reapply daily until the wart is gone, about 1-2 weeks. You can adjust the amount if you need more or less.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #6 - Dandy-lions

Have some dandelions popping up in your yard? Don’t rip them up and dispose of them just yet. The milk found has been found useful in getting rid of warts, just be sure to keep up on applying it!

You will need…

-1 dandelion
-a bandage

Directions

Pull the head off of a dandelion and rub the milk onto the wart, and cover it with a bandage. Do this twice daily until the wart is gone.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #7 - Slather honey on it

Organic Manuka honey, harvested in New Zealand, is perhaps the best to use. It is one of the most potent types of honey in terms of the concentration of its antibacterial/antiviral properties.

It is also quite stable, unlike some other kinds of honey, so it can withstand temperature fluctuation without losing its benefits. In addition to this, it creates a sort of “occlusion therapy” which is essentially depriving the wart of oxygen and killing it (the theory behind duct tape, but honey is much better than adhesive.)

Verify that you are getting true Manuka honey from a reliable source before purchasing.

You will need…

-A teaspoon of raw honey
-A bandage

Directions

File away the wart if you can, and then cover it thoroughly in a thick layer of honey and wrap a piece of cloth around it. Leave it like this for 24 hours, changing the bandage and reapplying the honey daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #8 - Put a potato on it

There doesn’t seem to be a set reason why, but one of the most common natural remedies for warts you will hear about is rubbing a potato on it.

There’s not a whole lot of scientific backing to this theory, but over the centuries people have stuck to it and have found success. It’s worth a shot!

An interesting part of the original historical remedy is to bury the potato after use and when you dig it up 2 weeks later it will have a wart on it (and yours will be gone.) That is very much optional.

You will need…

-1 potato
-a knife
-a bandage

Directions

Peel a potato and cut a round slice off of it. Rub the slice on your wart 3 times a day, and if you find yourself resting, lay the peeled skin (potato-ey side down) over the wart for as long as possible. You can also bandage the potato to the toe and leave it on until the wart it gone, changing bandage daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #9 - Soak in Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice softens the wart. It has a high level of acidity, and a special enzyme to dissolve and eat away at the wart. It will sting at first!

You will need…

-Pure organic pineapple juice
-A bowl
-A towel

Directions

2-3 times a day, soak your wart in pure pineapple juice for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, pat the area completely dry. Filing before doing this might make the area a little too sensitive, in which case, steer clear of it.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #10 - Stick a needle in it

Warts are tricky little devils, they are a barrier that keeps the virus that causes them safe and undetected by your immune system-hence why they last so long.

It is our job then to alert our body to this invader, and you can do so by using a sterile needle (this is known as immunotherapy.) Once you poke it, your body knows something is up, and can attack it properly. It sounds like something out of a weird alien movie, but the body works in strange ways.

Directions

Getting rid of warts with a needle is a straightforward home remedy. Ice the wart until the area is good and numb and then hold a sharp needle over a flame to sterilize it. Poke it well into the wart, but don’t hold it there.

Poke the wart all over, and discard of the needle and wash your hands. Now that your body is alerted, it will attack the virus that is causing the wart.

These aren’t instant cures, but in the scheme of things, 1-2 weeks is a short time to have a wart, which can stick around for years.

In addition to this, you’re not spending a bunch of money to go to the doctor and use an extreme method of removal. Remember to be patient and most importantly diligent-just because something isn’t instantaneous does not make it ineffective.

Tips:

-Always wash your hands between touching your wart to keep it from spreading.

-If possible, use a pumice stone to slough off just the roughest outer layer of the wart-it allows whatever you’re using to treat it easier access to the core.

-If using something like the banana to treat your wart, applying it to the dry pad of a Band-Aid is an easy way to keep it covered.

-Stay healthy-a good immune system and healthy body is the best way to prevent warts!

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other remedies to get rid of warts.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

12 Homemade Dandruff Treatments & Shampoos

Click HERE to Discover the 215+ Home Remedies, NaturalBeauty Recipes & DIY Household Products

Before reading on about treating your dandruff at home, make sure you actually have dandruff.

Chances are a good amount of the people visiting this page will actually have dry scalp, which differs from dandruff in symptoms and treatment.

If you know you have dandruff, than read on. Below are 12 homemade dandruff treatments to help you kick the crusties.

1. Pour, Rinse, and Barely Repeat With Vinegar

Rinsing your hair with vinegar (specifically Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar) may sound like a dreadful idea, but it can be one of the most effective homemade dandruff treatments, because it actually addresses the root of the problem (pun very much intended.)

Put simply, dandruff is the result of skins cells maturing and dying too fast, building up, and causing irritation. Vinegar will get rid of the unwanted skin that would flake off into dandruff, and it won’t clog up your pores or cause more.

An overgrowth of fungus can also cause dandruff, and vinegar acts like a fungicide.  Using it is straightforward, simple, and is probably easier on your hair than some shampoos out there.

Just don’t wash with it before a business meeting in a stuffy room-the biggest downfall is that your hair will smell like vinegar until you shower again (but it does go away.)

You will need…

-1/2 cup warm water
-1/2 cup ACV or white vinegar
-A cup

Directions

Mix together the warm water and vinegar in a cup. The total amount may be varied to be more or less depending on how much hair you have.

Pour the mixture over your hair, scrub it around gently for several minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with water (only water!) Wait about 8-12 hours before taking a normal shower. Repeat once every week or two weeks, depending on how often you feel you need it.

2. Break It Up With Baking Soda

Baking soda is just an all-around useful thing to have in the house. It plays a large part in a lot of natural home remedies, and for good reason-it usually works! It helps to remove dandruff for a number of reasons.

First, it mildly exfoliates, which gets rid of the excess dead skin. It’s also kills off acts as a fungicide, and a common fungus that occurs on everyone’s scalp can cause dandruff if it becomes overly abundant.

In addition, its tiny particles can be useful in actually removing those loose flakes stuck in your hair- instead of just breaking the pieces of skin up into smaller pieces.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of baking soda
-1 cup of water
-A few drops of rosemary oil (optional)

Directions

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda to every one cup of warm water. If you’re using an old (clean) shampoo or soap bottle, shake up the mixture and apply generously. Otherwise, stir it before you use it. Do this in place of shampoo, daily if possible.

Your hair may feel quite dry in the beginning, but its natural oils will restore themselves soon, and they will be much more balanced than when using some commercial shampoo.

If you feel you absolutely must use shampoo (and really try the baking soda alone first if you can) you can add a teaspoon of baking to a handful of shampoo and use that instead. The rosemary oil is optional, but some people find rosemary helps dandruff and think it has a pleasant scent.

3. Have Fun With Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant that is used commonly as a spice, particularly in Indian cuisine; however it serves medicinal purposes as well. Fenugreek seeds have a composition that is rich in protein and amino acids, encouraging healthy hair/hair growth and warding off those wicked flakes in the process.

A little bonus-its high concentration of lecithin (a natural emollient) can help make hair stronger overall, and many people find that it leaves their hair silky smooth and soft.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds (check a health food store if they aren’t at your grocery store)

-A bowl of water
-Something to grind the seeds with

Directions

Soak the seeds in 1-2 cups of water overnight. The next morning, grind them into a fine paste and apply to your scalp. Leave it applied for 30-45 minutes, then wash with mild shampoo or water.

4. Treat Your Scalp To Neem Leaves

Neem leaves (also an Indian herb) make a great all-natural home remedy for your dandruff. Their properties not only relieve itching, they act as an antifungal as well, inhibiting the over-growth of dandruff causing fungus. Be aware that some people find its smell to be overwhelming.

You will need…

-At least 2 handfuls of neem leaves
-4-5 cups of hot water

Directions

Add two handfuls of neem leaves to 4 or 5 cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight. The next morning strain the liquid and use it to rinse your hair.

You can also try making a paste out of leaves, applying it to your scalp, and letting it sit for about an hour before washing it off with water.

5. Utilize Listerine

Listerine was actually created in 1879 by a doctor in Missouri and used as a powerful surgical antiseptic for dentists. When the good doctor sold it to a pharmaceutical company, it uses broadened and it became the first over-the-counter mouth wash ever sold in the United States.

In the 1930’s and ‘40s, one its original purposes was also to fight dandruff. It may seem random, but consider that Listerine fights fungus, and one of the most common cause of dandruff is an overabundance of…you guessed it, fungus.

You will need…

-Water
-Listerine Mouthwash (preferably not green or blue as they might stain your hair)
-Spray bottle (optional)

Directions…

Mix 2 parts water with 1 part Listerine. After you shampoo, spray or pour the solution onto your scalp, massage in well, and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with water.

6. Get Some Sun

It’s not known exactly why, but there have been links between dandruff and exposure to sunlight. There have been many cases in which the severity of dandruff lessened when the afflicted person spent more time in the sun.

It’s possible that instead of dry weather in the winter causing dandruff, it’s really the lack of sunlight. Maybe the light helps dry up some of the excess oil, or maybe getting a little time outside in the sun makes for a happier healthier human overall.

Whatever the exact reason is, it’s something to try, and it’s probably one of the most straightforward homemade dandruff treatments you can try.

Directions

Spend at least 10-15 minutes out in the sunlight every day that you can. Make sure to limit your time though - too much sun and its UV rays can be harmful to your skin, hair, and health.

7. Take Some Aspirin

Aspirin can help with more than just headaches - it’s also one of the easiest homemade dandruff treatments. Pure Aspirin uses a large percentage of Salicylic Acid, which is an active ingredient in many commercial anti-dandruff shampoos.

Salicylic Acid has fungicidal and anti-microbial properties to fight the extra flakes caused by fungus, while the Aspirin helps with the inflamed skin that often goes hand-in-hand with severe cases of dandruff.

You will need…

-2 white Aspirin tablets
-Shampoo

Directions…

Crush up the Aspirin until it becomes a fine powder. Add it to your regular shampoo before use, making sure to leave it in your hair for about 2 minutes before rinsing completely.

8. Eat Healthy

You knew it would be on here, somewhere. Eating healthy helps every aspect of your well-being. These days we’re learning more and more that diet is truly vital to our health, so it comes as no surprise that it would have some impact on skin conditions, including dandruff.

Of course, food that is extremely fatty and/or unhealthy should be avoided - but that’s common knowledge whether you follow it or not.

What you may not know it what to eat to help your scalp and why, so check out the list below of some foods you should aim to eat that may help you get rid of those pesky flakes-and keep them from coming back.

Veggies: Green leafy vegetables in particular impact how our skin behaves. It encourages healthy hair, skin, and nail growth, so shoot for stuff like broccoli, kale, and lettuce (NOT iceberg) to add to your diet.

Fish Oils: Fish oil can make a difference in the overall make-up of your skin. Taking fish oil supplements will not cure your dandruff, but it can help lessen its severity and/or prevent it.

Lean Proteins: To minimize dandruff, try eating more lean proteins. They help to build hair and skin and keep it coming in healthy. Aim for fish and non-meat proteins, such as eggs, nuts, and beans.

9. Take Advantage Of Lemons

Lemons have a tough reputation, but they might be able to shake it - if they help you shake the flakes first. The acidity in pure freshly squeezed lemon juice contains acids that can help break down the fungus that is often the cause of dandruff outbreaks.

It’s also free from harsh chemicals and other unnatural ingredients that often do more harm than good to our hair and scalp - plus it leaves you smelling clean and fresh. So remember, the next time life gives you dandruff, give it lemons.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, divided
-1 cup of water

Directions

Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and let it sit for a minute. Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until no longer needed.

10. Use Tea Tree Oil

While excess oil can be a root cause of dandruff, some oils can still be helpful in keeping it under control. Tea tree oil has been used medicinally for centuries.

Aboriginals in Australia would pick the leaves of the tea tree plant and break them (much like we do with aloe) before using them as a topical treatment for burns, cuts, bites, and so on.

The oil extracted from those leaves have fungicidal properties and it is overall soothing to the skin-especially when it is sore or itchy.

Be aware that tea tree oil, while safe for topical use, should NOT be ingested under ANY circumstance.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of tea tree oil
-1 cup of warm water
-A squirt bottle

Directions

Pour 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil into 1 cup of warm water in a squirt bottle. Shake well.

After shampooing, spray the mixture all over your scalp, massage, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Pat the excess moisture out, but don’t wash it out.

11. Enjoy Aloe

Aloe Vera gel is synonymous with “ahhhhh…relief” in many people’s minds. While it may be used more commonly to help minor burns, it can also help give you relief from dandruff.

It works because its constituents inhibit the process of skin cell proliferation. In other words, the stuff that makes it up slows down how fast your cells grow, and since dandruff often is caused by cells growing and dying too rapidly, the aloe can help restore them to normalcy.

You will need…

-1 bottle of Aloe Vera gel

Directions

Apply Aloe Vera gel to the scalp 15 minutes prior to washing your hair. After 15 minutes, shampoo and wash it as normal.

12. Salt It

Salt is something most of us have lying around, something we use every day. But did you know that it can also help get rid of dandruff? It’s slightly abrasive crystals will work as a natural exfoliator, getting off the extra oil and dead skin flakes.

It is effective because it clears a path, if you will, for the shampoo which can sink in and work to its fullest potential. While rubbing salt on your scalp may not sound like spa treatment, it can actually feel quite pleasant, especially if your skin is itchy.

You will need…

-3 tablespoons of salt (Epsom salt works well if you happen to have it, but regular table salt is fine too.

Directions

Gently massage 3 tablespoons of salt into your dry or slightly dampened scalp for 2-3 minutes. Shampoo immediately afterwards.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other homemade dandruff treatments.

Tips

If you’re not sure how you feel about washing your hair with some of the natural stuff used to treat dandruff, here are some tips that can still help you get rid of it at home.

1. Switch Up Shampoos

You find that one shampoo…that one anti-dandruff shampoo that finally works. Deep down, you know it’s the shampoo for you. Then, without any warning, it just…quits on you. The dandruff starts coming back, and it’s time to realize that you have to move on if you want to shake the flake.

This isn’t uncommon-people often build up a tolerance to a shampoo and its active ingredient. If yours stops working abruptly this may be the case, so switch as soon as you can.

To keep this from happening, you can switch up what you’re using every month or so. Find 3 different kinds of anti-dandruff shampoo, each with a different formulation, and rotate them to prevent them from becoming ineffective.

2. Obey The Law Of L.R.R.

Lather, rinse, repeat. We see it stamped on the back of shampoo bottles, but really, how many of us lather twice? I know most of the times that I have, it’s usually because I forgot I had already shampooed (embarrassing, I know.)

That direction is there for a reason though - it allows the shampoo to work at its best and really do what it is supposed to do.

Next time you’re in the shower, do an initial lathering before rinsing it off to get rid of most of the flakes and oil buildup. To really fight the dandruff, lather a second time and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then the shampoo can penetrate the skin cells fully and really go to work.

3. Shampoo More

Many people are of the belief that dandruff is caused by dry skin, and try to make up for this by shampooing less so as to not strip the skin of its natural oils. They may also use special shampoo for dandruff when they really have dry scalp, which will just dry it out even more.

One of the biggest causes of dandruff is oily skin - that is why the skin flakes are often greasy, not dry. The best way to combat this is to shampoo more rather than less.

Since that dandruff is a build-up or excess of rapidly maturing skin cells, scrubbing with shampoo can help get the itchy layer off naturally. It can also help ward off overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus.

Dandruff can seem like an unconquerable enemy, but there are a number of effective ways to manage it and lessen its severity - and not all of them have to involve harsh chemicals or an expensive trip to the dermatologist.

The next time you get down about shaking the flake remember that some of the most effective homemade dandruff treatments could be right in front of you, maybe even as close as the salt shaker on your dining room table.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

16 Ways to Prevent and Get Rid of Cold Sores

Click HERE to Discover the 215+ Home Remedies, NaturalBeauty Recipes & DIY Household Products

A cold sore is not welcome on your face, or anywhere else, for that matter. Not only are they cosmetically unappealing, they can be downright painful. Let’s get over the fact they’re caused by the herpes virus. We all know it, and that aspect gets far too much attention.

Defining cold sores simply for what they are, they are small, fluid filled lesions that pop up generally on or around your lips. The blisters often group together, and after they break, a crust forms over the resulting sore.

There is no true cure for the virus, or the cold sores. The bright side is that there are preventative measures you can take that lessen outbreaks, severity, and duration.

If the bothersome blisters do show up, there are a decent number of home remedies for cold sores that may ease your discomfort, and help diminish their appearance.

Just because there is no cure, doesn’t mean you’re stuck using irritating prescription face creams or having a cold sore that hangs around for an eternity.

Below are 16 ways to prevent and get rid of cold sores

1. Enjoy vanilla

Vanilla extract, the real, good, pure, vanilla extract, is a natural cold sore remedy some people swear by. The thought process is that its alcohol based, and running along those lines, makes it hard for the virus to thrive and either wipes it out or lessens the severity and length of the outbreak.

If you want to use vanilla to prevent and get rid of cold sores, try and get it organic, and try to start using it the second you feel the tingling set it.

You will need…

-a cotton swab or cotton pad
-pure vanilla extract

Directions…

Soak cotton pad or swab in vanilla until thoroughly saturated. Apply directly to sore, holding the swab or pad in place for a minute or so. Do this four times daily until no longer needed.

2. Snag some licorice

One of the more random natural remedies for cold sores that you can use is licorice. Glycyrhizic acid, an ingredient in licorice root, has been shown in some studies to stop the virus cells in their nasty little tracks-or at least counteract the symptoms of them. This is thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.

A way to glean something positive from this isn’t to go munch on a bunch of licorice whips, but rather get some licorice powder, and make a cream.

To prevent and treat cold sores, you can also try drinking licorice tea daily, though that doesn’t seem as effective as topical treatment.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon licorice root powder or extract
-1/2 teaspoon fresh water OR approximately 2 teaspoons petroleum jelly

Directions…

Mix one tablespoon of licorice root powder to ½ teaspoon of fresh water, or however much you need to get the consistency of cream you want, making sure to add in small increments.

Another option to prevent and treat cold sores is to mix it with petroleum jelly, which on its own can help speed up the healing process of cold sores.

If you opt for this, start with a teaspoon of the petroleum jelly and mix it with the licorice root. You can work your way up to your desired consistency from there.

Gently dab (a cotton swab is handy for this) a thin layer over the sore, making sure to get it completely covered. Leave it on for at least several hours, or overnight if possible.

3. Toss your toothbrush

Throw out your toothbrush after the blister has formed, and toss it once the sore has cleared up. A toothbrush is the perfect vessel to carry the virus, and you can end up triggering an outbreak in yourself if you re-use the same toothbrush again and again.

This is a preventative measure, since it can stop an outbreak or cut it short, it’s well worth doing.

4. Hands off

It may sound obvious, but it can be near an impossible to resist picking at that crusty little (or big) patch by your mouth. Almost subconsciously you can end up bothering it, or very consciously, you just want to peel it off and be done with it.

Whatever your motive, resist touching the sore-even just reaching up to touch it and see if it somehow shrunk-as those actions can cause a bacterial infection. That’s the last thing you need.

They are also so highly contagious that even touching your sore and then accidentally rubbing your eye, or somewhere else on your body, could cause them to spread (they aren’t confined just to the mouth, you know.)

5. Get milk

Putting a whole milk compress on your sore can help speed up the healing, and ease pain. The reason? Milk contains proteins known as immunoglobulins, which are essentially anti-bodies that fight off and prevent viruses-like herpes.

Milk also contains l-lysine. L-lysine helps inhibit the wicked work of an ammino acid called arginine, which has been shown to cause outbreaks, and may help speed up the healing process as well.

In short to prevent outbreaks, drink whole milk and get your dose of l-lysine. To help cold sores that have already erupted, make a whole milk compress to soothe the pain and fight off the virus.

You will need…

-1/2 cup to 1 cup of whole milk, plus a tablespoon or 2 extra
-cotton balls or cotton pads

Directions

Soak a cotton ball in approximately 1 tablespoon of milk, and apply it directly to the cold sore for several minutes. Before doing this you can either let the milk come to room temperature or, if you prefer, you can apply it cold.

Use a clean towel moistened with water to dab off the milky residue at the end. If you feel you need it, apply a dab of petroleum jelly.

6. Wipe it out with hydrogen peroxide

Anyone who had a parent that put hydrogen peroxide on a scrape knows that it’s not exactly pleasant. The good news is that it’s a lot less traumatic to use at your own will, nor does it seem to hurt as bad now that you’ve grown up a bit. Love it or hate it, the solution can be an effective cold sore remedy.

Hydrogen peroxide disinfects, healing up speeding, and makes it hard for the surfaced sore to spread or worsen. The blister is already bothered and infected, at the very least virally, and keeping it clean can ultimately make it go away faster.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
-cotton balls, cotton pads, or facial tissue

Directions

Soak a cotton ball in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Use more if you feel it isn’t saturated enough.

Place the cotton ball directly on your sore- it’s probably going to sting-and hold it there for a few seconds, or dab it around. Let it be for 5 minutes or so, allowing it to do its job, before rinsing off.

7. Be minty fresh

Peppermint oil is thought to have properties that directly kill virus particles outside of your cells, like the ones floating around an erupted cold sore which makes it a great option to prevent and get rid of cold sores.

It won’t help to ingest peppermint oil because it only attacks the virus escaped from your cells.

What we mean by it being “outside” of your cells is that herpes simplex virus usually resides beneath the skin, lurking and waiting for a trigger to make it rear its ugly head. When its’ erupted, it is accessible to treat with the oil.

When applied directly to a cold sore, people have found that the sore healed faster than usual-especially when applied at the very first sign of one.

You will need…

-Good quality peppermint oil
-1 cotton swab
-a bit of fresh water

Directions

First, use a bit of water to rinse the surface of the cold sore. Doing so gets away some of the surface gunk that would make it harder for the oil to really sink in and do its best.

Then, dip a cotton swab in clean water and then dip it into the peppermint oil. This is to dilute it a bit, making it less likely to irritate your skin. Try this twice daily until it is no longer needed.

8. Take Echinacea

There are a couple of people I am quite close to who drink Echinacea tea religiously and swear by it. Every time I come down with a bug they give me the “I am not sick now am I?” look, with a meaningful nod at their mug of tea.

The reason they get away with their smugness is because Echinacea bolsters your immune system and its defenses, making it harder to catch bugs, and shortening how long you are affected by them.

While not yet proven it may help prevent cold sore outbreaks which often show when the immune system is weakened.

You will need…

-1 bag of Echinacea tea
-1 cup freshly boiled water

Directions

Place your bag in a mug and pour boiling water over it. Cover-a plate works well-and let it steep for 10 minutes. Squeeze the juice out of the bag when you remove it to get all the extra good stuff.

9. Load up on vitamins E and C

Vitamins are good for us, and for our cold sores-and by good for our cold sores, I really mean bad for them. Vitamin C has been shown to boost white blood cell count, and white blood cells are the body’s defenders.

When something like an infection sets in the brave little cells head into battle, and having more of them means you’ll be more effective at fighting off the infection, which in this case is herpes.

Vitamin E, when applied topically, has been found to relieve the irritating and painful discomfort of cold sores, as well as minimize scarring.

You can get the vitamins through an oral supplement, oil (in the case of vitamin E) and-the best way-through your diet.

Vitamin C rich foods include

-red berries
-kiwi
-broccoli
-tomatoes
-red and green bell peppers
-spinach (little did Popeye know he was onto a cure for cold sores)

Vitamin E rich foods include

-nuts
-leafy green vegetables
-whole grain
-avocados

10. Corn starch paste

If you’ve worked with corn starch before in your attempt to prevent and get rid of cold sores, you’ll be familiar with its fine, almost silky, texture-it seems like it could be soothing to a cold sore, doesn’t it?

I would say so, and it can indeed help relieve the itchy burning pain of a sore when directly applied.

The less obvious reason as to why corn starch makes a pleasant home remedy for cold sores is the fact that it neutralizes the pH of the sore- the virus thrives in an overly-acidic environment-and creates an alkaline state (alkaline is the opposite of acidic.)

To seek relief, and shorten the duration of your cold sore, simply whip up a silky-smooth corn starch paste.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of corn starch
-1 teaspoon of fresh water to start

Measure out 1 tablespoon of corn starch and place in a small bowl. Mix in 1 teaspoon of fresh water. Add more water slowly until you achieve a paste-like consistency.

Put a dab on your cold sore before bed, and rinse off gently with water in the morning. Do this nightly until cold sore is gone.

11. Dab on some witch hazel

The leaves and bark of North American witch hazel have been used medicinally for years, namely by Native Americans, and have now become quite commercialized.

Nowadays you don’t have to worry about tracking down a plant and stripping off its leaves and bark since you can find a bottle of witch hazel, or witch hazel hydrosol, at just about any pharmacy or general store.

Since it does not produce enough oil to sell as an essential oil, the hydrosol is a distilled liquid version. It has been shown to help with a number of maladies, particularly in skin care, with emphasis on acne, bruises, insect bites, blisters and, if you hadn’t guessed by now, cold sores.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of witch hazel
-cotton swab or cotton pad

Soak a cotton pad or the end of a cotton swab in witch hazel. Dab directly onto your sore, and leave on. Do this 1-2 times daily as needed.

12. Grab some aloe gel

The go-to for soothing minor skin irritations, aloe vera gel can provide quick relief from the pain of a cold sore once it blisters. It also fights off bacteria that may be irritating the sore more, and may make it go away faster.

Being so dependable, aloe is often touted as being one of the best natural remedies for skin problems there is. The best way to benefit from it is to have an aloe plant.

They’re not hard to come by, they’re hardy (I got one when I was five and it managed to survive my care for years,) and best of all, they’re useful and inexpensive. If you cannot get an aloe plant, find a good gel sold in stores.

You will need…

-1 aloe plant OR ½ teaspoon of aloe vera gel

Directions…

Break off the end of one fleshy, succulent, leaf. Directly apply the gel to your sore. If you absolutely cannot come by a plant, dab a cotton swab in roughly ½ teaspoon aloe vera gel and apply directly. Leave on.

13. Ice it

Looks aside, cold sores hurt. They can really, really hurt. Think about what they are-little fluid filled boo-boos that burst, blister, and form a crust. Kind of like constipation, they aren’t taken very seriously.

If you complain about constipation pain-which can land you in the E.R., by the way-all people think is “poop” and then they tune out. With cold sores, most people think “herpes” and then move on-especially since cold sores are so common.

To numb the pain that some people just don’t understand (and the injustice of it all) try holding an ice cube directly on the sore for as long as possible, and then put on a dab of petroleum jelly.

The jelly will help keep bacteria out, and will lessen that tight, skin-splitting sensation that sometimes happens when a blister gets too dry, as it might after using an ice cube. It’s along the same lines of how licking chapped lips makes them worse.

You will need…

-1 to 2 fresh ice cubes, or an ice pack
-A bit of petroleum jelly

Directions…

Take a nice chilly ice cube, which would be most of them, and hold it on your sore for as long as possible, or use an ice pack. When you’ve finished, pat any obviously remaining water gently from the sore and apply a dab of petroleum jelly.

14. Wear sunscreen-even on your lips

Exposure to light, namely UV light, seems to be a very contributing factor in outbreaks. When you hit the beach, or even just go for a summer time stroll, apply sunscreen to your face, and apply lip balm with an SPF value of no less than 15.

Indeed it may take you longer to get a crazy tan, but it’s a very, very, small sacrifice to make when you think of the painful cold sores erupting, and damage to your skin.

15. Wash it all away

You don’t have to go dump every single thing you own when you get a cold sore, but like your toothbrush, its best to get rid of some things that come in contact with your lips/mouth area-such as lip balm, or make up tools.

In addition to this, wash your hands each and every time you touch, or even think you touch, your cold sore. While you’re always contagious, it’s easiest spread the virus when there’s an open blister and you may keep causes outbreaks if you continue using contaminated items.

16. Quarantine right away

The moment you feel the tingling sensation that precedes a cold sore flare up, start your treatment. Since there is no “cure” sometimes preventative measures work best, and nipping it in the bud seems to help boost the effectiveness of the treatment afterwards well as shorten the sores existence.

When it all comes down to it at the end of the day, you have a virus that will never go away completely until a true cure is found for herpes simplex. That being said, your world does not have to come to a crashing halt when a sore pops up.

Use common sense, try to get to it in the beginning, and patiently treat it, keeping in mind that the remedy that works best for you will probably take some trial and error.

Since you’ll probably be living together for a while, it’s good to remember that the less you bother your cold sore (i.e. picking at it or using unnecessarily harsh chemicals) the less it will bother you.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other ways to prevent and get rid of cold sores.

Wet…or dry? A word on cold sore living conditions

There are generally two chains of thought when it comes to treating cold sores. One is to dry them out, while the other is to keep them moist. Some people say the virus festers in a moist environment, others say it makes no difference and you’ll be uncomfortable with a dry, cracked, split, scab.

There isn’t much official research done on this, but from personal experience, I’d have to toss in with the “wet” lot. Putting a dab of petroleum jelly on a sore is a life-saver. The pain of a dry scab ripping open again and again is too much for me-not to mention I WILL pick at it if it’s all crusty.

Perhaps with a bit more clout is the Mayo Clinic which, according to their website, also endorses the moist route for treating cold sores.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.