A cold sore occurs in people that have the herpes simplex virus. The cold sore is an activation of the virus, which may happen due to different triggers such as stress, certain food or medications. There are a few remedies available for cold sore treatment, including herbal remedies. Olive leaf extract can be used to treat cold sores.
Olive Leaf Compounds
The olive leaf contains phytochemical oleuropein, which is a compound that has antibacterial and antiviral effects. This compound interferes with the production of the amino acids that are necessary for the development of viruses and bacteria in the human body. The olive leaf is also composed of substances such as rutin, apigeniing, leteolin and iridium.
Olive Leaf Uses
Olive leaf extracts or teas can be used in natural medicine to cure a sore throat, coughs, fever, flu, colds, the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), ear and eye infections, gout or urinary tract infections. The extracts can also cure skin rashes, warts and other skin problems. Olive leaf extracts can be applied on cold sores to speed up the recovery time.
Olive leaf can also have an energy boosting effect, being a useful remedy against fatigue; olive leaf extracts have an immune system strengthening effect. Cold sores often occur when the immune system is weaker, so extracts can help prevent future outbreaks of cold sores as well.
Some studies performed on animals have shown that the olive leaf teas and extracts can lower blood pressure, but this effect hasn't been properly studied in humans.
How to Use Olive Leaf for Cold Sores
Olive leaf can be used as extracts or as tea. The extracts can be purchased in health stores. Typically, a few drops can be ingested 1 to 2 times per day and the cold sore should heal faster. If you have a tingly sensation in the lips, you can take the extracts before the cold sore actually appears. The right dosage can be established according to your age, weight and the severity or the frequency of the cold sore outbreaks. Even though olive leaf extracts don't require a prescription, you should check with a doctor prior to administering this remedy.
Olive leaf tea can be used as a compress on the cold sore. You can also drink the olive leaf tea, as it will have an immune boosting effect.
Olive Leaf Contraindications
Though olive leaf extracts are not toxic and have no side effects, there are a few situations when this remedy should be avoided.
Olive leaf extracts and teas may interfere with the effect of antibiotics, making these inactive. Never mix an antibiotic treatment with olive leaf extract treatment.
If the olive leaf extracts are administered in excess, it may cause an allergy and flu like symptoms. However, these symptoms are only temporary and will subside once the olive leaf extract drops are discontinued.
Talk to your homeopath to determine the right dosage.
