Do You Suffer From This Common Embarrassing Condition?

Cold sores, which are also sometimes called oral herpes, are fluid-filled blisters that can occur on the lips, gums or even on the roof of a mouth. Although they usually clear up on their own in about seven to ten days, some people want a natural way to hasten the healing. 

Besides the prescriptions medication available from the doctor, there are a number of different types of natural remedies for cold sores. While there is no cure for the primary virus, there are some highly effective natural ways to prevent and treat an infection. Discover the best foods and remedies to treat cold sores plus learn how to identify your triggers and prevent future outbreaks!

Cold Sore Triggers

Almost everyone has contracted herpes simplex virus type 1 by adulthood, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's website MedLine Plus. HSV-1 causes cold sores. It is generally transferred by kissing or coming into close contact with someone who has an active outbreak. Following primary infection, the virus will remain with you for life and any number of triggers can cause an outbreak. Stopping cold sores before they start is about identifying your triggers and taking preventative action before they occur. It also helps to turn your home into a place that's inhospitable to the virus.

In some people the HSV-1 infection causes cold sores, which erupt following a trigger event such as a cold. This explains the term ‘cold sore’. Other triggers that may cause an attack of cold sores include:

• Feverish illnesses, like influenza, or chest infections
• Exposure to sunshine is a trigger for many people
• Exposure to windy conditions
• Hormonal changes, such as the period or pregnancy
• Emotional or physical stress (including work, relationships, excessive exercise and prolonged, unresolved stress)

It is important to remember that cold sores are a symptom of ongoing infection rather than primary infection and the sores usually recur in the same place. 

Cold sore symptoms

Cold sores usually develop as follows:

• Most people experience localised itching and tingling a day or two before the cold sore appears.
• A collection of small blisters forms.
• These blisters can be accompanied by pain, tenderness and a sensation of heat and burning.
• The blisters burst after a few days.
• The site develops a crust.
• The crust dries up and eventually falls off after about 10 days.

6 Foods and Natural Remedies To Prevent and Treat Cold Sores

1. Diet

Lysine is an "essential" amino acid, meaning that it must be obtained through food or supplements because it can't be produced by the body alone. In addition to helping create protein, it has also been shown to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus, which has been known to cause cold sores.

Foods that are rich in lysine include milk, fish, cheese, meat and legumes.  Therefore, some would say that if you want to decrease the chance of spreading your cold sores to others, try to ingest foods that are rich in lysine. There is some evidence that eating a diet low in arginine and high in lysine can stop cold sore outbreaks from happening. 

Take lysine supplements if necessary to help your diet fight cold sores before they occur.

2. Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family, this potent herb has been used for centuries to reduce anxiety and stress, common triggers for cold-sore flare-ups.

The most convincing clinical evidence of its effectiveness, according to a recent issue of the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies, was a study showing that a cream containing the herb reduced redness and swelling after only two days.

You can buy lemon balm ointments at standard drugstores. Or steep 2 to 4 teaspoons of crushed lemon balm in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the "tea" to cool and dab it on your cold sore with cotton balls throughout the day.


3. Green Tea
Another tea that's shown to be effective at combating cold sores, green tea is rich in an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is thought to have antiviral properties.

In a November 2012 study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, scientists from Georgia Health Sciences University discovered that EGCG reduced the proliferation of herpes type 1 cells by 92 percent.

Two to 3 cups of green tea per day, or green tea compresses on a cold sore, will give you high levels of EGCG.

4. Reishi 

If you're a fan of mushrooms, another natural remedy for cold sores that you might want to consider is that of Reishi. This is a type of mushroom that has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine to strengthen the immune system. And with good reason; Reishi has bee found to inhibit the spread of the herpes virus. 

A typical effective dose is approximately 600 mg a day. In addition, it is available both in powder or supplement form, making it a convenient choice. A word of caution though; this particular natural remedy for cold sores can delay blood clotting, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you take aspirin, or any other medication that may interfere with clotting.


5. Zinc
Though the jury's out as to whether zinc will do anything for your cold, it could make a cold sore go away faster. Test-tube studies have shown that zinc can kill up to 98 percent of herpes simplex type 1 cells, but real-world studies haven't been as conclusive. One study suggests that topical zinc oxide ointment reduced cold-sore duration by up to two days, and the authors of that study had their participants use the ointment every two hours as soon as they felt a cold sore coming on. 

6. Honey

This treatment could be better than drugs, according to research from the United Arab Emirates. In a small study of 16 people, the researchers found that topical applications of honey shortened the duration of cold sores 35 percent better than acyclovir, the active ingredient in prescription herpes antiviral treatments. Research from New Zealand found that four different types of honey were able to kill the virus in test tubes, suggesting that any unprocessed, raw honey (which has the highest levels of antiviral compounds) might help treat a cold sore.

None of these treatments will prevent you from ever having another cold sore, and you can still shed, or transmit, the virus when cold sores are developing. But any one of these is certainly less expensive than a prescription or over-the-counter cold-sore medication—and will have you back to your smiling self as soon as possible.

Preventing an outbreak

Suggestions to reduce the number of outbreaks include:

• Avoid known triggers, if possible.
• Wear sunblock on your face and lips when outdoors.
• Pay attention to your general health and stress levels.
• Avoid getting ill or run down - eat a balanced diet and ensure you get sufficient rest and sleep.

What To Do If All Else Fails and You Have An Outbreak?

If all else fails and you do have an outbreak, take measures not to invite the virus back again. Get rid of items that came in contact with your lips during an outbreak, or sanitize them. Replace the toothbrush you've used during a flare-up and shave with a disposable razor so you can throw that out, too. It is also recommended that you wash towels, pillowcases and bedding, in boiling water if possible, to kill the virus.

Tell us in the comments below how you prevent or treat your cold sore out breaks and what your favorite, proven natural remedy is.

Our fun day with the girls....looking at this beautiful yard of the Bulb Guy.  Wow what beauty.
I love Spring!!!!!

An average person carries around 10 to 20 pounds of toxins in their system every day. Many of these toxins cause health problems like fatigue, intestinal problems and constipation. The Lemon Detox Cleanse makes you feel healthier and also helps you lose weight. The Lemon Detox is a great, natural way to relieve your body of these toxins and get you one step c...loser to healthier living.

LEMON DETOX DRINK RECIPE

For a 1 Liter batch
1 ½ freshly squeezed lemons
1 ½ pinches of the Cayenne
Pure waterSee More

This is an interesting article from Food Matters....about OIL PULLING...

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves the use of pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus, and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat.

How To Oil Pull

The most effective oil pulling is done by placing around a tablespoon of cold pressed organic sesame oil into the mouth and swishing the oil around the mouth for approximately 10-15 minutes and then spitting it out.

Other oils such as extra virgin cold pressed  coconut, sunflower and olive oil have been used, although sesame oil is considered one of the best oils for this practice. I recommend alternating oils every couple of days to get the full benefit. Putting high quality organic oils into the mouth has a multi-effect outcome.

First, the oils mix with the saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in the oils begin to pull out toxins from the saliva. As the oil is swished around the mouth, teeth, gums and tongue, the oil continues to absorb toxins, and usually ends up turning thick and viscous and white. Once the oil has reached this consistency, it is spit out before the toxins are reabsorbed.

What Does Oil Pulling Do?

Multiple scientific studies show the efficacy of oil pulling therapy. One study shows that oil pulling with sesame oil can boost overall oral health. Specifically, using sesame oil as an oral health agent helps to reduce the amount of S. mutans (germ) count in both teeth plaque and mouth saliva. Scientists believe that the lipids in the oil both pull out bacteria, as well as stop bacterial from sticking to the walls of the oral cavity.

Oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Most interesting is perhaps the ability of oil to cleanse out harmful bacteria, as well as reduce fungal overgrowth. These oils also possibly help in cellular restructuring, and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs.

 Other possible benefits of oil pulling for oral health include:

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

Benefits Beyond the Mouth?

Ancient Ayurvedic health practitioners believed that oil pulling could reduce more than just diseases of the mouth and throat. Today, many holistic practitioners tout its use for a variety of health concerns.

It is believed that these oils help the lymphatic system of the body as harmful bacteria are removed and beneficial microflora are given with a healthy environment to flourish. Because of this holistic perspective, oil pulling has been used as a preventative health measure for many other conditions.

Other possible benefits of oil pulling for overall health include:

• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

Scientific Studies on Sesame Oil and Oil Pulling

Sesame oil is particularly high in the antioxidantssesamol, sesamin, and sesamolin. It also holds a high concentration of Vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These antioxidants have been found to stop the absorption of negative forms of cholesterol in the liver. Multiple studies have shown the antibacterial capacities of sesame oil. These studies support the use of oil pulling in the prevention of dental cavities and gingivitis.
A 2007 study looking into the effect of oil pulling (with sunflower oil) on plaque and gingivitis on oral soft and hard tissues. Results found that after 45 days of oil pulling, subjects showed a statistically significant reduction in gingivitis.

Another study , conducted in 2008 found a “remarkable reduction in the total count of bacteria” in the mouth, and an overall marked reduction in susceptibility dental cavities. The antibacterial activity of sesame oil was also studied and found to have an effect on the Streptococcus mutans in the mouth.

In fact, these studies showed an overall reduction of bacteria from 10 to 33.4% in participants, and after 40 days of oil-pulling, participants were found to show 20% in average reduction in oral bacteria. Moreover, half of all participants in this case study showed a drastic reduction in susceptibility to dental caries.

Use the comments section below and tell us about your experiences with oil pulling.

I believe in Chiropractic Care

Don't Worry... Be Healthy

Ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering how you were going to pay the bills? Then you know that a car payment or the electric bill can affect your health!
There are three types of stress: physical, emotional and chemical. Financial worries (and other anxieties) fall into the emotional stress category. And chiropractic can be helpful.
All three types of stress affect your nervous system. Like a chain that breaks at its weakest link, stress tends to show up where we are most vulnerable. Our neck. Our low back. Tightness between our shoulders. Stress can increase the frequency of headaches and compromise our ability to get enough restful sleep.
Chiropractic care, with its purpose of reducing neurological stress, can be helpful. Of course chiropractic care can't eliminate stress, but it can improve your ability to tolerate it. Regular chiropractic care now could be a wise investment for a healthier, happier and financially secure you!
- See more at: http://www.sawyerchiropractic.com/doctor.asp?chiropractor=10845S#sthash.irZCTBss.dpuf

The Life

Connection

April 2013 issue | back issues

Healthy news and information from Dr. Scott Sawyer. Published monthly by Sawyer Chiropractic Group.

Fully You

When chiropractors observe that chiropractic care has helped people with a wide variety of health problems, some mistakenly think that means that we treat disease. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
The fact is, we locate and help reduce nervous system disturbances (usually along the spine) that interfere with your ability to be fully you. Being fully you includes everything from bending, walking and sleeping to breathing, fighting infection and healing a cut.
When the integrity of your nervous system is revived, your body is more likely to work as it was designed. For some, that capacity returns quickly. For others, it's slower. For a few who have neglected their health, progress can be so slow as to even appear ineffective.
Please don’t blame chiropractic when results come slowly. Likewise, don’t credit chiropractic when success comes quickly. It’s your body that does the healing. What you bring to the table is actually more important than what we do on the table!

---

Wanting More

What are you hoping to get from your chiropractic care? Less pain? Less tightness? Or more health? More movement? Or more life?
Many people begin care because they have an ache or a pain they want to silence. In other words, they start out wanting less. As they learn what chiropractic care is (and what it isn’t) they discover it could offer more. More of what they really want. Participating in that discovery is one of the greatest joys of our practice.
Some don’t see the implication between a proactive (more) and a reactive (less) approach to their health. Instead, they prefer to come in only when they have obvious symptoms. No worries. We love them just as much. Everyone shows up at a different place on this journey of self discovery. We’re merely here to serve, whether they want less or more.

---

What's Your Tuba Player?

Your brain and nervous system is the conductor that orchestrates the workings of your entire body. With clear communication, the beautiful music we know as “life” is produced.
But many people have a problem with their tuba player! For some the tuba player could be their thyroid. Or their gall bladder. Or their stomach. Or their lower back. Or whatever.
Their tuba player can’t see the conductor! That causes one of two things. Sometimes the tuba player just sits quietly. Other times, the tuba player goes overboard.
The medical approach would be to surgically remove or chemically suppress the tuba player. The chiropractic approach is to restore the connection between the tuba player and the conductor. Naturally, that involves locating and correcting interference to the controlling commands that travel over the nervous system.
Chiropractic care can bring harmony to your music of life!

In This Issue

• Fully You
• Wanting More
• What's Your Tuba Player?
• Normal vs. Average

Normal vs. Average

You weigh yourself on the scales.
You take the temperature of your child.
A doctor takes your pulse and measures your blood pressure.
These measurements are compared with hundreds of other people from which averages are obtained. Which begs the question, is average normal?
Averages have a place, but they can distort reality and treat us as if we were mechanisms, like a wristwatch.
Most watches don’t know when you’ve changed time zones. Or that daylight savings time has ended.
In other words, your wristwatch doesn’t have the intelligence to adapt to the environment. But your body does.
That’s why we don’t see fevers, elevated blood pressure or other such findings as the problem. They’re just signs that the body is adapting to something.
What’s really going on?
Is this a recent problem?
A lifestyle issue?
The result of a new stress in your life?
We’re interested in you, not just your symptoms. Because what’s normal for you may not be normal for me.

For appointments call Sawyer Chiropractic Group: (831) 457-2000.