There are several things that can be done and used as a home remedy for a cold sore, just as there are several things that can be done to prevent cold sores in the first place.

A cold sore often erupts as the result of the common cold - thus its name. It generally last from ten day to two weeks. Should it last longer, or occur frequently, even when the home remedy for the cold sore works each time, the patient should see a doctor to determine and fight the cause of the recurring outbreaks.

Here are various home remedies for cold sores that have been said to work. Some are to be used in conjunction with others.

The first home remedy for cold sore spread is to apply ice to the cold sore for 5-10 minutes every hour. Another way to prevent its spread is to apply a wet and cold tea bag for the same time period. The tea has tannic acid which has an antiviral effect. A warm tea bag applied for 20-30 minutes several times a day should work to remove the cold sore in five days. Foods that aggravate cold sores and whose elimination will help as a home remedy for a cold sore are chocolate, peas, nuts, seeds, oatmeal and other whole wheat foods. These foods have a lot of arginine which aggravates the cold sore blister. Acidic foods, salty foods and coffee should be reduced to help get rid of a cold sore.

Vitamin B, especially vitamin B-12, and folic acid are supplements that help rid a body of a cold sore. Another home remedy combination for a cold sore is a formula that can be made ahead of time and stored in a glass or plastic bottle. This is made with 100 milliliters of coconut oil, 2 ml of dettol and 3 ml of carbolic acid. This is applied once or twice a day directly on the cold sore. Not only is this a home remedy that works for cold sores, but also for boils, minor itching and mosquito bites. The shelf life of the formula is many years. Witch hazel is said to help cure cold sores as well.

Another lauded home remedy for a cold sore is the ingestion of four capsules of acidophilus with milk three or four times every day. Others swear by rubbing aloe gel or juice on the cold sores or apply a paste made of cornstarch. Still others say that lemon balm extracts works will, or spirit of camphor.

The final home remedy for a cold sore is a drink made of a combination of tea tree oil, herbal sage and violet - and herbal sedative. A tea is made from adding this combination, with two or three leaves of sage and a piece of ginger root or a little ginger powder to a cup of boiling water. A cup of this tea should be drunk, after steeping a few minutes, two to three times every day.