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cold sore salve by Herbal Academy
30 Jun 2025

Do You Get Cold Sores (HSV)? Try This Amazing Herbal Recipe Today!

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Cold sores might not be the most glamorous topic, but they’re something many of us deal with—somewhere between 50-80% of adults carry HSV-1, which is the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. The good news? Our plant friends have some gentle, effective ways to support us. Herbs like lemon balm, St. John’s wort, and hyssop can be especially helpful in taming and easing the discomfort of a cold sore. Let’s look at a calming cold sore salve recipe including these herbs below.

close up of hyssop used in cold sore (HSV) salve



Cold Sore (HSV) Support

This soothing salve recipe is a sneak peek into our Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book, and it’s a thoughtful addition to any herbal first aid kit. With skin-supportive antiviral herbs and nourishing oils, it’s a simple way to care for yourself or loved ones when a painful cold sore takes shape. 

The antiviral actions of St. John’s wort, hyssop, and lemon balm give this plant a soothing ability when dealing with the herpes virus. Lemon balm essential oil can be particularly helpful for cold sores, but it may be cost-prohibitive, so feel free to leave it out. You’ll still have an excellent salve to help soothe current outbreaks and even stave off future ones. 

cold sore (HSV) salve recipe card

Cold Sore Salve Recipe

This soothing salve recipe offers skin-supportive antiviral support with nourishing oils for cold sores (HSV). 

Ingredients

2 tbsp (1 fl oz) olive oil
2 tbsp (1 fl oz) coconut oil
4 tsp lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) aerial parts
4 tsp St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) bud and flower
4 tsp hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) aerial parts
1/2 – 1 tbsp beeswax
20 drops lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil (optional)
5 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil (optional)

Directions
  • Make a lemon balm-, hyssop-, and St. John’s wort-infused oil (here’s how). Note that 1/4 cup is the amount of finished herbal oil to include in the recipe—you may need to start with more oil when making the herb-infused oil, as the herbs will soak up some of the oil (if you forget to do this, just top off with some plain oil as needed for this recipe).
  • Once the oil is complete and the herbs have been strained out, gently melt the beeswax and oils together in a double boiler (or a glass or ceramic bowl or canning jar over a small saucepan of simmering water). 
  • Remove from heat and add essential oils, if using. 
  • Pour into small jars or tins; allow to cool completely before capping.
  • Label and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
  • Apply to lips and surrounding skin daily or as needed.

hand pulling a book off of a bookshelf

More Resources for Herbal Skin Care

If you’re feeling the spark to go deeper into herbal skin care—whether for yourself, your family, or your clients—the following course offers thoughtful, in-depth guidance to help you grow your skills with confidence and creativity.

Botanical Skin Care Course

This is your invitation to explore holistic, herbal-based skin care from the inside out with our Botanical Skin Care Course! Learn how to support skin health with nourishing herbs, craft your own creams, salves, soaps, and more, and explore more than 200 recipes designed to bring radiance and balance to all skin types. With lessons on skin anatomy, herbal energetics, and internal care, this course blends science and self-care in a way that’s practical, empowering, and fun.

In Closing,

We hope today’s Cold Sore Salve Recipe and botanical skin care resources sparked some inspiration in your herbal journey. Whether you’re blending up a salve, fine-tuning your formulations, or simply learning something new, we’re so glad to be here to help support you on your path.

This cold sore salve recipe contains herbs like lemon balm, St. John’s wort, and hyssop to help ease the discomfort of a cold sore (HSV).

About Post Author

The Herbal Academy is an online school of herbalism offering affordable herbalist training programs for students at all experience levels. Whether you are looking to explore herbalism as a hobby or personal endeavor or preparing for a career, the Herbal Academy has designed herbalist programs to suit your path and your educational needs! The Academy celebrates the community-centered spirit of herbalism by collaborating with a wide diversity of seasoned clinical herbalists, folk herbalists, and medical professionals to create an herbal school that presents many herbal traditions and points of view.

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Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.

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