11 Foods That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger

 1. Garlic

Garlic has a strong natural antimicrobial potency and can help with swelling and shortening the healing time. It can be applied directly to cold sores. If you use it during an early tingling stage and catch the blisters before they appear, it can prevent them from developing.

2. Essential Oils

Peppermint and tea tree essential oils are known for their antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic characteristics and some studies have shown that these oils can stop the sores from developing if you apply it during the early stages.

Dilute a drop or 2 of one of these oils with a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil and apply it to the sore using a cotton ball. Use the oils during the "tingle" stage to avoid irritation.

3. Vitamin C

As we mentioned above, strengthening the immune system is key and vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant and immune booster. The best way of getting it in your system is with food rich in vitamin C.

4. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a cream or concentrated ointment and an effective herbal remedy for herpes. It contains a few herbal extracts known for their healing and anti-bacterial properties. If applied regularly, this product can reduce the healing process by half.

Apply directly on the affected area a few times a day.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is very effective as an antibacterial product and although cold sores aren't caused by bacteria, applying aloe very will prevent any potential infection. This plant is also very effective to relieve pain and discomfort and speed up the healing.

If you have the plant handy, get a thick chunk about 2 cm long, take the skin off, and you will see gooey translucent gel. Place the gel on the sore and leave it there for about 20 minutes. Just a warning, the gel is very bitter, so you probably should avoid licking your lips after the application. Repeat the treatment a few times a day.

If the plant is not available, grab a tub of aloe vera gel, it's just as good.

6. Licorice

Licorice root has been used as a healing product for years and contains glycyrrhizic acid which is considered to be an antiviral. You can apply licorice root extract directly on the sore as an ointment or take it internally in capsules.

7. Echinacea

Echinacea is one of the most powerful immune system stimulators, which is exactly what you need to prevent cold sores. It can be taken on a regular basis in different forms like liquid, tincture or pills.

8. Vitamin E

Vitamin E accelerates damaged skin cells by helping to repair and grow new ones. There are two ways of getting it: you can apply vitamin E oil directly on the damaged skin or eat lots of food high in Vitamin E.