Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture
This potent essential oil is often used for the treatment of cold sores for its antiviral properties.
Can You Get Rid of Pesky Cold Sores With Essential Oils?
Learn about 3 essential oils that might help you out when trying to clear a cold sore fast.
There is no denying it, the rise of essential oils is still going strong. These concentrated smell-good plant compounds are used as a natural treatment for a variety of ailments, including cold sores.
While antiviral medications, like Valacyclovir, are proven helpful as a cold sore treatment, essential oils have also shown some promise.
If you’re interested in treating your cold sore naturally with essential oils, you’re in the right place.
What are essential oils?
You’re likely familiar with essential oils or at the very least have heard of them. But what are they really?
Essential oils are concentrated plant compounds that are extracted from plant material through a distillation process.
Simply put, essential oils are comprised of all the good stuff extracted from plants and herbs.
Which essential oils might help with a cold sore?
Let’s find out which essential oils are the most helpful for cold sores.
1. Lemon balm essential oil
According to a relatively new 2014 study, lemon balm essential oil was shown to inhibit the herpes simplex virus from penetrating the cell by 80 to 96 percent.
This essential oil was found to perform well with drug-resistant strains of HSV1 (the infection that causes cold sores).
To use lemon balm essential oil, dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it directly to your cold sore. To offer quicker recovery, it’s best to lean on prescription antiviral medications. However, it may not hurt to add natural remedies into your repertoire.
2. Peppermint essential oil
This potent essential oil is often used for the treatment of cold sores for its antiviral properties.
In this 2003 study, researchers found that peppermint oil had the ability to inhibit and destroy the herpes simplex virus stating “Peppermint oil exhibited high levels of viricidal activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in viral suspension tests.”
This essential oil is quite strong so it’s best used sparingly, and of course, diluted.
3. Tea tree essential oil
Known for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, tea tree is a go-to for all-natural cold sore treatments.
To use, dilute the tea tree oil in a carrier oil and use a cotton swab to dab the area. Don’t use more than twice a day as this strong oil could irritate the skin.
For quicker recovery from a cold sore outbreak, it’s best to use proven antiviral medications that have been shown to shorten the duration of cold sore outbreaks.
What are the risks of using essential oils?
If misused, essential oils could result in a few issues. If you’re planning to use essential oils as a treatment for a cold sore you should keep a few things in mind.
- To avoid the risk of allergic reactions or skin irritation conduct a 24-hour patch test.
- Always dilute essential oils when using them on your skin. Try jojoba grapeseed or rosehip oil.
- Don’t overuse essential oils as overuse can damage your skin.
- If you have sensitive skin or a skin barrier weakness — you might want to skip this natural remedy.
Are prescription cold sore medications a better option?
Perhaps. The benefits of using antiviral medications for cold sores are validated.
One big advantage is antivirals used at the first sign of a cold sore may be able to help shorten the duration of your outbreak (clearing up your cold sore quicker woohoo).
If it is recommended by your doctor, daily use of antiviral medication like Valacyclovir might also be able to prevent future outbreaks.
Essential oils for cold sores: Bottom line
Home remedies such as diluted essential oils might be able to help soothe or reduce the appearance of cold sores but there are many limitations to this approach.
If you use diluted essential oils as described, conduct an allergy patch test, and are careful with topical use, there should be no reason to advise against the use of some essential oils for cold sores. Although, their effectiveness for cold sores is not yet confirmed.
However, prescription medications have been proven effective for the use of reducing the effects of the herpes simplex virus.
Cold sore prescription medications online at StrutHealth.com
No one enjoys dealing with a cold sore. They’re painful and can make you feel super self-conscious.
If you deal with HSV1 cold sores, you might be a good candidate for the antiviral medication Valacyclovir (aka generic Valtrex). When Valacyclovir is used at the first sign of cold sores, you might be able to shorten the life of your cold sore.
If you need one weapon against cold sores in your medicine cabinet — it’s keeping Valacyclovir on hand.
To find out if this prescription is right for you, complete this free online questionnaire-based doctor’s consultation.
Strut treats HSV1 and HSV2 online, and your medication can be shipped to your door with our free shipping.
Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture
The antiviral effect of Australian tea tree oil (TTO) and eucalyptus oil (EUO) against herpes simplex virus was examined. Cytotoxicity of TTO and EUO was evaluated in a standard neutral red dye uptake assay. Toxicity of TTO and EUO was moderate for RC-37 cells and approached 50% (TC50) at concentrations of 0.006% and 0.03%, respectively. Antiviral activity of TTO and EUO against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was tested in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TTO for herpes simplex virus plaque formation was 0.0009% and 0.0008% and the IC50 of EUO was determined at 0.009% and 0.008% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. Australian tea tree oil exhibited high levels of virucidal activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in viral suspension tests. At noncytotoxic concentrations of TTO plaque formation was reduced by 98.2% and 93.0% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. Noncytotoxic concentrations of EUO reduced virus titers by 57.9% for HSV-1 and 75.4% for HSV-2. Virus titers were reduced significantly with TTO, whereas EUO exhibited distinct but less antiviral activity. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action of both essential oils, either cells were pretreated before viral infection or viruses were incubated with TTO or EUO before infection, during adsorption or after penetration into the host cells. Plaque formation was clearly reduced, when herpes simplex virus was pretreated with the essential oils prior to adsorption. These results indicate that TTO and EUO affect the virus before or during adsorption, but not after penetration into the host cell. Thus TTO and EUO are capable to exert a direct antiviral effect on HSV. Although the active antiherpes components of Australian tea tree and eucalyptus oil are not yet known, their possible application as antiviral agents in recurrent herpes infection is promising.
MeSH terms
Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Cells, Cultured
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Eucalyptus / chemistry*
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Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
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Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects
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Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects
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Plant Oils / pharmacology*
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Plants, Medicinal*
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Simplexvirus / drug effects*
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Tea Tree Oil / pharmacology*
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Substances
Antiviral Agents
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Plant Oils
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Tea Tree Oil
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