One morning earlier this year, I woke up to a street full of snow and the driest lips I have ever had. While I was thrilled at the blanket of white covering the ground, I was frustrated by the knowledge that I would have to keep track of a new tube of lip balm while I waited for my lips to heal. Nevertheless, I dutifully applied lip balm throughout the day and assumed I was in the clear. The next morning, however, I realized I was anything but: I had gotten my first cold sore.
For those of us who have had cold sores before, we know how frustrating they can be. Not only does pain erupt at the slightest movement, but your entire mouth is as dry as the Sahara. It’s crazy that something as small as a cold sore can force you to change so many habits, but it’s the truth. Talking and chewing become nearly impossible, not to mention the fancy maneuvering you have to do when putting food in your mouth.
It’s safe to say that I wanted the sore gone stat. Unfortunately, relying on Chapstick to get rid of my cold sore wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to bring out the big guns. I needed CBD.
As soon as I started using Farmer & Chemist CBD to treat my cold sore, I noticed an immense difference. The sore started shrinking overnight and my lips retained moisture that they previously would have ignored. I also noticed that I was more relaxed, as my mind had stopped focusing on the pain of the sore. CBD had proven its versatility yet again.
What are cold sores?
Cold sores are the unsightly result of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). They are typically categorized by small groups of blisters that gather on the lips, though they can affect other areas. They are usually accompanied by a sore throat and a dry and inflamed mouth. According to an article published in Pediatrics in Review, between 60-95% of adults will experience a cold sore at some point in their lives. The few that don’t truly are the lucky ones.
How can CBD help?
CBD is one of the most versatile wellness products on the market. Two of its most well-documented uses are as an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral—two properties that directly combat cold sores.
When our bodies are attacked by HSV-1, they respond by sending white blood cells to patch up any areas the virus may have damaged. While these blood cells do chase away the unwanted infection, they also cause the inflammation, blisters, and sores typical of a cold sore.
CBD helps by reducing this inflammation and providing relief while simultaneously boosting your body’s natural tendency to fight off malevolent cells. This is done through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). If you’re curious to learn more about how CBD works, read our previous blog post “Let’s Talk CBD.”
Topical creams are a cold sore’s worst enemy
There are three products I recommend to aid in your valiant fight against the cold sore: It’s the Balm, Problem Salved, and Steady Going.
The first Farmer & Chemist product I tried on my cold sore was It’s the Balm. No longer did I need to keep track of a small tube of chapstick—It’s the Balm did all I was hoping for, and more.
This is Farmer & Chemist’s CBD-infused balm that is created with beeswax and MCT oil, in addition to essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus. Every few hours, I would place some of the CBD-infused balm directly atop my cold sore. Although it would be a little uncomfortable at first, within a few minutes the relief flooded in.
It’s the Balm is an amazing choice to fight cold sores because it provides both pain relief and moisturization. It’s also easy to use—just scoop out enough balm to liberally cover the afflicted area. Let it sit for a few seconds and wait for the effects to kick in. It’s the Balm comes in three different sizes and concentrations: 1oz with 500mg of CBD, 1oz with 1,000mg of CBD, or 2oz with 2,000mg of CBD.
For the days when the balm wasn’t enough, I supplemented with some Problem Salved. Our anti-inflammatory CBD-infused salve simultaneously moisturizes your lips and fights inflammation, so it’s the perfect warrior against cold sores. It’s also a bit more concentrated than the balm, with 1920mg of CBD in the 1oz package.
Furthermore, Problem Salved also features 0.3% THC, purely to aid in absorption and effectiveness. Pairing CBD with this minimal amount of THC helps cannabinoids bind to your body more effectively, increasing the amount of relief you feel. Don’t worry, it’s not nearly enough to produce any unwanted high.
Tinctures help too!
Although the physical symptoms of cold sores are frustrating and painful, we haven’t talked about the negative effect HSV-1 can have on your mental health—and talk about a stressor. When I had my cold sore, I found that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. My anxiety skyrocketed. Despite my best efforts, thoughts like “I hope I don’t look too gross,” and “How long will this cold sore last?” and “Will I have to eat through a straw for the rest of my life?” kept creeping in. Needless to say, it was exhausting.
This is where Steady Going came in.
Steady Going is our phytocannabinoid-rich tincture that simultaneously gets rid of pain and anxiety. One of the most versatile products on the market, it can be used both topically and orally. Every morning, I would drip a few drops of Orange You Happy directly atop the cold sore, followed by placing a pharmacist recommended dose under my tongue. Placing the tincture on the sore would subdue inflammation and provide pain relief, while the dose under my tongue would aid in soothing any anxiety about the situation as a whole.
There are three flavors of Steady Going: Orange You Happy, Minty Me, and Natural. The Natural flavor contains 1000mg of CBD and absolutely no THC while Orange You Happy and Minty Me consist of 1500mg CBD and 0.3% THC. Never fear, just like Problem Salved, this trace amount of THC is there solely to aid in absorption and effectiveness—it’s not nearly enough to induce any high.
Make cold sores a thing of the past
Cold sores are no fun, but with Farmer & Chemist on your side, you have no reason to stress. Our broad-spectrum CBD products are only the highest quality and ensure that any anxiety about cold sores becomes a thing of the past. So, next time you feel a cold sore coming on, quickly douse the threat with a little It’s the Balm or Problem Salved. You’ll thank me later.
For all your CBD needs, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @farmer_and_chemist! Or, if you’re a bit more old-fashioned, come visit us in our brick-and-mortar store at 7719 S. Main St. in Midvale, Utah. We can’t wait to see you!