Natural Health: What can I do about my stress-related cold sores?
I get a cold sore almost every time I get stressed — it can be related to work or a relationship. I meditate daily and take good care of my health, which makes it even more frustrating.
Stress is a well-known trigger for cold sores. Other triggers include fatigue, sun exposure, food sensitivities and allergies, medication interactions, and menstruation or hormonal changes.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is typically contracted in early childhood, with an estimated 90% of all adults being exposed to this virus at some point in their lives.
Studies suggest that the herpes simplex virus may require the amino acid arginine for replication, while lysine can help counteract this effect. Arginine-rich foods include chocolate, nuts, oats, carob, coconut, and soybeans, which can trigger outbreaks in some. Lysine is present in vegetables, legumes, fish, sprouts, and dairy products. For some individuals, lysine supplements may help reduce the frequency or severity of outbreaks.
Vitamin C and zinc can be taken internally and applied topically to manage cold sores. You will need to take approximately 50mg of zinc daily and up to 5,000mg of vitamin C in 1,000mg increments throughout the day for three days, then reduce this to 3,000mg for maintenance.
Zinc has been shown to be effective in inhibiting HSV replication in research studies. It is also well-documented for immune support, and specifically in the management of viral infections.
Vitamin C is known as an immune-supportive nutrient, and it also specifically works against the herpes virus (this applies to other herpes-related conditions such as shingles, genital herpes, and the Epstein-Barr virus). Vitamin D is another crucial nutrient for immune support, and individuals dealing with recurrent cold sores may have lower levels of it in their blood.
One of the most effective topical treatments is a concentrated extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) applied to the affected area. Lemon balm contains several constituents that work synergistically to prevent the virus from taking hold, and is most effective when used as a cream or balm. The recommended extract strength is 70:1 to arrest the outbreak and promote rapid healing of the blisters.
If you are unable to track down this concentrated lemon balm extract, consider the more widely available option, propolis extract. Topically, propolis, which bees collect from resins, gums, and sticky plant buds, can help heal lesions quickly and reduce the likelihood of additional infection. Check out the Cork business Hanna's Bees (hannasbees.ie) for a wide range of bee products, including propolis tincture at only €14.50 for 20ml (which is an excellent size for travel and will last an age).
We're taking the ferry to travel to France for our summer holidays. I've three children under 10, and all of them get travel sickness. What remedy would you recommend?
Two excellent herbal remedies for motion or travel sickness are chamomile and ginger. You can combine these herbs and add honey to sweeten if needed. Use a teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water and steep for four to six minutes. This infusion doesn't have to be taken hot — you can strain it off and let it cool, then store it in a water bottle.
Additionally, consider packing Sea Bands, which are designed to be worn over the acupressure points in the wrist, allowing you to manage any symptoms as soon as nausea arises. It is a good idea to practise using the bands in advance of the holidays. Ask your children to wear the bands on both wrists for around 10-15 minutes before they hop in the car. These are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most pharmacies.
NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The TRUTH about Ozemd**k – the bizarre weight loss jab side-effect that's ‘adding inches' to manhood size
OZEMPIC-PENIS sounds like a sexually transmitted disease you really wouldn't want to catch. But it's actually a term that has cropped up online, largely amongst men on Advertisement 4 Men who have been taking Ozempic say they've noticed a change to their penis size, here we reveal all you need to know Credit: Getty One anonymous user wrote: 'I recently measured myself down there and noticed I gained about one inch.' Another asked: 'Increased size, anyone else notice?' Weight loss drugs were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes, and Ozempic is still prescribed for just that. Wegovy and Advertisement They work by mimicking naturally occurring hormones, like GLP-1, that make you feel full, slow digestion and regulate appetite, leading to sometimes drastic fat loss. The health benefits can be huge considering obesity can cause cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more. But is it too good to be true that the drugs can add inches to your penis as well? We asked GP and men's health and erectile dysfunction expert Dr Jeff Foster, Medical Director of Can taking weight loss drugs really make your penis bigger? 4 Weight loss jabs can make your penis LOOK bigger Credit: Getty Advertisement THE short answer is no, but the drugs can certainly make your penis LOOK bigger. 'It's true,' says Dr Foster. 'You naturally have a small fat pad just above the base of the top of your penis. What is Erectile Dysfunction? 'As you develop 'It appears, therefore, that everything has shrunk. 'It's as if your penis has gone inside, but all that's really happening is the surrounding tissue to your penis has become more protruded - the true penis size hasn't changed. Advertisement 'And in fact, about 70 per cent of your penis is external, there's another 30 per cent inside that you just never see.' Pre-Ozempic, some men found this illusion so upsetting that they'd be referred for liposuction to have the fat pad reduced. 'The removal of this fat pad just above the penis does make it look bigger, but the problem is, it's not actually any bigger, it's just the appearance of the outward area,' says Dr Foster. Losing some of that fat pad as a side-effect of weight loss drugs can have the same effect though - and doesn't involve a surgical procedure. 'It's a win, isn't it?' says Dr Foster. 'You're going to be healthier, and you might end up looking like you've got a bigger penis. Advertisement 'I mean, no men are ever going to go, 'Ah, I'm really worried my penis is too big'.' Do fat jabs help improve erections too? 4 Fat jabs can help improve erections and your sex drive will go up Credit: Getty 'DEFINITELY,' says Dr Foster 'Fat increases oestrogen levels in men, and it also reduces testosterone and increases insulin resistance. 'All of those three together will have a really negative impact on your testosterone production. Advertisement 'And if you haven't got testosterone, or not as much of it, you don't get a libido, you don't get erections. 'So it's really simple: by reducing your body fat, your erections get better, your sex drive goes up and you feel more manly.' Does that mean weight loss meds could eventually be prescribed for ED? 'IT could be one of your tools as part of an overall arsenal of treating erectile dysfunction (ED), but you wouldn't use it as a primary treatment,' says Dr Foster, who says that crucially you need to find the root cause of the problem. 'The biggest cause of erectile dysfunction in men is still heart disease. 'If you've got narrowing of the arteries you can't get a decent erection. Advertisement 'Your penile artery is almost identical in calibre and design to your coronary artery. 'That's how they discovered Viagra - it was designed for blood pressure in your heart originally, and they found it worked really well down below.' He adds: 'This is why we say to men, if you have got erectile dysfunction, find out why. 'The worst thing you can do is just buy some over the counter tablet without finding out why [it's happening]. 'We say that on average, if you have an arterial cause for erectile dysfunction, you have about a three-year window before something bad happens to your heart, like a heart attack - so really understand the cause.' Advertisement This is when weight loss drugs could make a difference, by supporting overall heart health, and therefore, erection health. 'If we think there's a cardiovascular cause, then using something like Ozempic or Mounjaro could be amazing, because not only do you fix your erection, but you actually fix the underlying process that's causing the whole thing,' says Dr Foster. 'It improves your heart and your penis.' Are there any potential penile risks? 4 The weight loss jabs may however reduce muscle mass, a problem that needs to be managed, whether you're worried about how your penis looks or not Credit: Getty 'I'VE heard the rumour that allegedly GLP-1 drugs may reduce penis size or have adverse effects on male health in general,' says Dr Foster. Advertisement 'The theory behind it is whether testosterone or male wellbeing is affected by GLP-1s.' He explains: 'GLP-1s work by improving satiety, so you eat less. 'By doing that, you reduce body fat, but the other part of that, which we're now seeing evidence of, is that if you're not careful, you also start to reduce muscle mass. 'That's the big worry, because on one hand, yes, you want to get rid of excess fat, but you don't want to reduce your muscle because that's not healthy for anyone.' Loss of muscle can lead to falls, lack of mobility, increased fractures, and in older age, even premature death. Advertisement '[People] think that sarcopenia-effect (muscle loss) is because of lowered testosterone, but it's probably not a direct effect of [GLP-1s],' he explains. Muscle loss is a problem that should be managed though, whether you're worried about how your penis looks or not. 'If you are going to be taking a weight-loss drug and want to maintain your masculinity, then you have to make sure you eat enough protein and do weight bearing exercise,' says Dr Foster firmly. 'You must do both, and that will help your erections, because we are starting to see the effects of weight loss drugs causing loss of muscle and that's having massively negative impacts on male health. 'To maintain your testosterone, to maintain your erection, make sure you do some decent exercise, and make sure you eat enough protein, even if you don't feel like it, because otherwise you're going to lose more important things [than fat alone], like sexual function and muscle.' Advertisement What is erectile dysfunction? ERECTILE dysfunction - also known as impotence - is very common, especially in men over 40. Erectile dysfunction is when you are either: Unable to get an erection Unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up. Sometimes you might also have low sex drive. It's not usually the sign of something serious but you should speak to a GP about it, especially if it's causing you distress. Possible causes include stress, tiredness, having too much booze, as well as some medicines. But if your ED is persistent, it might be caused by: High blood pressure or high cholesterol Diabetes Depression or anxiety Hormone problems
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Natural Health: What can I do about my stress-related cold sores?
I get a cold sore almost every time I get stressed — it can be related to work or a relationship. I meditate daily and take good care of my health, which makes it even more frustrating. Stress is a well-known trigger for cold sores. Other triggers include fatigue, sun exposure, food sensitivities and allergies, medication interactions, and menstruation or hormonal changes. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is typically contracted in early childhood, with an estimated 90% of all adults being exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. Studies suggest that the herpes simplex virus may require the amino acid arginine for replication, while lysine can help counteract this effect. Arginine-rich foods include chocolate, nuts, oats, carob, coconut, and soybeans, which can trigger outbreaks in some. Lysine is present in vegetables, legumes, fish, sprouts, and dairy products. For some individuals, lysine supplements may help reduce the frequency or severity of outbreaks. Vitamin C and zinc can be taken internally and applied topically to manage cold sores. You will need to take approximately 50mg of zinc daily and up to 5,000mg of vitamin C in 1,000mg increments throughout the day for three days, then reduce this to 3,000mg for maintenance. Zinc has been shown to be effective in inhibiting HSV replication in research studies. It is also well-documented for immune support, and specifically in the management of viral infections. Vitamin C is known as an immune-supportive nutrient, and it also specifically works against the herpes virus (this applies to other herpes-related conditions such as shingles, genital herpes, and the Epstein-Barr virus). Vitamin D is another crucial nutrient for immune support, and individuals dealing with recurrent cold sores may have lower levels of it in their blood. One of the most effective topical treatments is a concentrated extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) applied to the affected area. Lemon balm contains several constituents that work synergistically to prevent the virus from taking hold, and is most effective when used as a cream or balm. The recommended extract strength is 70:1 to arrest the outbreak and promote rapid healing of the blisters. If you are unable to track down this concentrated lemon balm extract, consider the more widely available option, propolis extract. Topically, propolis, which bees collect from resins, gums, and sticky plant buds, can help heal lesions quickly and reduce the likelihood of additional infection. Check out the Cork business Hanna's Bees ( for a wide range of bee products, including propolis tincture at only €14.50 for 20ml (which is an excellent size for travel and will last an age). We're taking the ferry to travel to France for our summer holidays. I've three children under 10, and all of them get travel sickness. What remedy would you recommend? Two excellent herbal remedies for motion or travel sickness are chamomile and ginger. You can combine these herbs and add honey to sweeten if needed. Use a teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water and steep for four to six minutes. This infusion doesn't have to be taken hot — you can strain it off and let it cool, then store it in a water bottle. Additionally, consider packing Sea Bands, which are designed to be worn over the acupressure points in the wrist, allowing you to manage any symptoms as soon as nausea arises. It is a good idea to practise using the bands in advance of the holidays. Ask your children to wear the bands on both wrists for around 10-15 minutes before they hop in the car. These are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most pharmacies. NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Hundreds of bad reactions linked to weight loss jabs prompts new study
©Press Association Hundreds of people have reported problems with their pancreas linked to taking weight loss and diabetes jabs, prompting health officials to launch a new study into side effects. Some cases of pancreatitis reported to be linked to GLP-1 medicines (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) have been fatal.
