4 Great Methods of Using Oregano Oil for Cold Sores

The cold in cold sores gives people the impression that one gets cold sores from a cold or flu. In fact, Herpes simplex is the culprit behind these sores. Although they clear up on their own in 7-10 days they wreak havoc impairing your ability to enjoy a good hot meal, spicy food and hot beverages.

Herpes simplex is an oral virus which is very contagious in nature. Kissing, sharing a cup with an infected mouth or even one which is healing and shedding the virus is enough to have you suffering from cold sores for the rest of your life.

Cold sores transmission scenarios

Scenario 1

• Friends meet for a few drinks
• A social kiss is shared between the two that grazes the lip area
• The contagious friend is still healing from her sores although the lip looks normal under her lipstick

Scenario 2

• A couple is having a meal
• The man feeds the woman using his fork
• The infected saliva is transferred to the woman’s mouth

Scenario 3

• Friends are having a conversation
• One decides to try the other one’s drink
• She drinks from her friend’s glass coming into contact with the virus

Most people error in believing that Herpes simplex is only transmitted sexually but all of the above scenarios are nonsexual but they transmit the sores.

Apart from OTC (over the counter) drugs, essential oils like oregano oil have been incredible in managing the sores. Oregano oil for cold sores has been lauded for treating cold sores.

It has been used:

• To prevent viral infections
• To reduce inflammation
• As expectorant
• As anti-allergenic

If you have oregano leaves growing nearby you may want to make yourself a batch of oregano oil. Here is how:

How to treat cold sores with oregano oil?

Cold sores can be painful during the first few days. They are sensitive to touch, heat, cold and even normal actions like yawning, eating and speaking.

To reduce the discomfort try the following treatment methods:

Method 1 – Make a cold compress

Place 2 diluted oregano drops into a bowl of cool water. Dip a clean cloth into the water and squeeze out the excess water and gently dab the oregano infused cloth onto the sore. Do not rub, swipe or press. Repeat this process 4-5 times at the same sitting, twice a day.

Method 2 – Apply directly

Dilute 1 drop of oregano oil in a tablespoon of water. Dip a q-tip into the mixture and dab gently on the sores every 4 hours for the first and second day. It is easier to contain the sores when you treat them on the onset of appearing.

Method 3 – Use it in a blend

Mix 2 drops of lemon, tea tree and oregano essential oil with jojoba oil for smoother, easier application. Apply the mixture to the affected area and leave it undisturbed to air dry.

Do not pat the excess away because:

• You could spread the sores
• Jojoba is like your skin’s natural sebum so it gets absorbed easily

Method 4 – Apply the remedy overnight

Dilute the lemon, tea tree and oregano oil and mix them together. Soak a piece of cotton gauze with the mixture. Squeeze out the excess and place it on the sores with a band-aid to hold it in place.

Leave it overnight and repeat the same the next morning and evening until the sores disappear.

Oregano oil compared

Oregano oil vs. tea tree oil for cold sores

Both these oils are powerhouses of healing, boosting immunity and fighting inflammation. However, while tea tree has the capacity to fight sores and clear them it does not have the anti-allergenic component that sedates you.

Besides, tea tree is very potent and can irritate your skin if used alone more than twice a day.

Oregano oil vs. peppermint oil for cold sores

Admittedly peppermint delivers that cooling effect that soothes the sore right away but its anti-viral properties are not as powerful as oregano’s meaning the sore will take longer to heal.

Oregano oil vs. coconut oil for cold sores

First of all, unlike oregano which is an essential oil, coconut oil is a carrier oil. It is a saturated fat that is packed with health benefits that include moisturizing the affected area to prevent drying and breaking of the skin.

Oregano oil cold sores treatment recipes

Recipe 1

Ingredients

• Geranium essential oil
• Oregano essential oil
• Tablespoon of water

Mix the ingredients together in the spoon. Dip the tip of a cloth or a q-tip into the mixture and dab at the affected area. Repeat the treatment 4 times a day.

Recipe 2

Ingredients

• 3 drops of Roman chamomile oil
• 3 drops of bergamot oil
• 3 drops of oregano oil
• 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 2 drops of lavender oil
• Sweet almond oil
• 3 drops of geranium oil

Mix all the ingredients together and form a nice blend. Apply the mixture onto the sores and let it air dry. Sweet almond oil will help with the application and it also keeps the skin supple preventing cracking when the sores dry out.

Recipe 3

Ingredients

• 2 drops of peppermint oil
• 3 drops of frankincense oil
• 4 drops of oregano oil

Mix the essential oils together and pour them into capsules. Take one capsule in the morning and one at night. Make sure you use 100% natural, food-grade essential oils for this recipe because you will be ingesting it.

1. Ensure that it is made using the hirtum subspecies. This is the best choice of oregano species for the essential oil. It can occur in the wild or on a farm so do not be more focused on the “grown in the wild” sales gimmick.

2. Test it against your skin to check for sensitivity before using it. The hypersensitive or reactive skin may react and then accept the oil soon afterward or it may irritate it too much.
3. Oregano oil also kills good bacteria in the process of annihilating the bad one. But this should not worry you because it is quite normal for antibacterials to kill off the good and bad bacteria. Supplement it with a probiotic to foster the growth of the good bacteria.

4. Oregano is a hot oil so it must be diluted before use. It will burn your skin if used neat. On the positive side, this means you need just a little for use because of its high concentration.

5. Not all brands are created equal so test out the oil on a small patch of your hand before using it all over. This does not mean expensive is the best but be wary of overly cheap offers.

Cold sores are very contagious and are transmitted through bodily fluids. The most common ways of transmission include:

It is important to note that they are incurable although they can be treated. To prevent transmission avoid using the same utensils, don’t kiss while the sores are actively healing and practice safe sex.

Once you have sores they will be with you for your lifetime so you must learn how to manage them.

Use essential oils and other home remedies which are listed below to ensure that they do not affect you constantly.

• Apply vanilla oil or vanilla extract
• Use sunscreen
• Apply a blend of peppermint and witch hazel oil to the sores for quick relief

Other oregano oil benefits

Apart from treating cold sores oregano oil can be used to sort out a myriad of other health problems:

Oregano oil for sinus congestion

Oregano oil is a natural decongestant. Drop some oil into a bowl of boiled water and inhale the infused steam. Alternatively, place 2 drops into the diffuser and let the mist permeate the room.

Just ensure that you do not diffuse the oil as you sleep as you need the room to air at night.

Oregano oil for sore throat

Treating coughs and colds is a specialty of oregano oil. You can gurgle it or make a balm to massage into your chest and neck before you sleep.

Oregano oil for respiratory infections

Respiratory infections can be quite a challenge to combat when you are only using topical remedies. Buy food grade oregano oil and pour it into capsules that you can swallow morning and night. The oil will work from within even as you apply it topically.

Oregano oil for digestive problems

This is another area where you can use food grade oregano oil to make capsules that can combat the condition from within. Its anti-inflammatory properties combined with its soothing qualities will settle the stomach within minutes of swallowing.

Oregano oil for acne treatment

Oregano oil is a favorite for treating skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. Dilute 2-3 drops in a carrier oil like jojoba and gently apply it onto your skin. You may experience a tingle but that is all.

Make sure that you test the oil on a small patch of your skin in advance before applying it to ensure you it does not irritate your skin.

Conclusion

Oregano oil can be said to be the discovery of the Greeks but it is the godsend to all humanity. Using this oil will not only ensure that you can contain an outbreak but it also means you can nip the outbreak in the bud before it even becomes visible.

It goes hard at work within minutes of being applied to the sores and will dissipate them within hours.

The best part is that as it treats the sores it also heals your skin, fights any underlying infections and reminds you of Italian food with its aroma!