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.
Contents
- Cold sores transmission scenarios
- What is oregano oil?
- Home made oregano oil
- How to treat cold sores with oregano oil?
- Oregano oil compared
- Oregano oil cold sores treatment recipes
- Things you should consider when using oregano oil for cold sores
- How to prevent cold sores?
- Additional home remedies for cold sores
- Other oregano oil benefits
- Conclusion
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.
What is oregano oil?

This is oil derived from the oregano plant which is found in mountainous regions. The Greeks were the first to realize the potent nature of oregano when they used it to fight skin infections and dress wounds.
It is a strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal agent. It is also anti-allergenic which allows it to be used across all skins in acceptable doses.
It has been used:
- To prevent viral infections
- To reduce inflammation
- As expectorant
- As anti-allergenic
Home made oregano oil
If you have oregano leaves growing nearby you may want to make yourself a batch of oregano oil. Here is how:
- Boil water in a deep saucepan
- Place the oregano leaves and a carrier oil into a jar
- Place the jar into the hot water until the jar heats up
- The heat will release the natural oregano oil into the jar
- Place the jar on a surface where it gets the sun for 7-10 days
- Strain the mixture and use

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.
Things you should consider when using oregano oil for cold sores

Oregano oil is widely used in the treatment of cold sores and is highly recommended for the same. There is an indisputable body of evidence for the oil showing its ability to treat cold sores.
However, everyone is different and it will react differently to individuals. Consider the following when choosing the oil:
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.
How to prevent cold sores?
Cold sores are very contagious and are transmitted through bodily fluids. The most common ways of transmission include:
- Kissing
- Oral sex
- Sharing utensils
- Avoid touching the cold sores
- Wash your hands especially after handling the sore
- Apply treatment using sterile q-tips or cotton swab
- Replace toothbrushes when the outbreak occurs and after healing

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.
Additional home remedies for cold sores

- Drink lemon tea and apply lemon balm infused compresses to the spot
- Apply a cold pack directly to the sores for temporary relief
- Scrap the gel of an aloe vera plant and apply to the sores to combat inflammation and sooth the area
- 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!
I have been using oregano for almost every day. It has been my own natural home remedy. For flu and cold I diffuse oregano oil mostly in the evening before going to bed. I will get a few leafs of oregano and make a tea and drink at least three times a day. I also diffused it in my basement and feel better when down there. The mold used to bother me and cause me to cough.I use oregano on a daily basis and it has always been wonderful.
Thank you for your addition to my article.
These are great ideas for everyday use of oregano oil.