Garlic is an excellent cure for a number of different problems, and it is just as effective as a remedy for cold sores as well. The reason that garlic is so effective is because it has antibiotic properties that assist with healing. Studies show that garlic can eradicate many types of virus on contact including herpes type 1, which is responsible for the formation of cold sores.
You can use a garlic clove cut in two and apply it directly to the cold sore for 10 minutes. Repeat three or four times a day. Be aware that this will burn; it’s not a pleasant experience, but it works. Or you may want to eat the garlic instead. The downside here is the garlic breath you’ll be emitting, and it can also cause nausea and damage to the stomach if you eat too much of it. Or you can try rubbing a clove of garlic on the soles of your feet. In about 20 minutes it will enter your bloodstream and you’ll even be able to taste it in your mouth!
Some people find that taking garlic extract in capsule form is just as effective, particularly when they feel the first signs of a cold sore coming on. Look for brands that contain higher levels of allicin, the active ingredient in garlic. The benefits here are that you won’t have bad breath and the garlic will be digested more easily.