Organic Manuka Honey Cold Sore Salve

This cold sore salve is made with wild organic Rose Hips (Rosa canina), wild organic lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), USDA organic licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and wild organic horsetail (Equisetum arvense). They are combined with USDA organic clove oil, Manuka honey, USDA organic extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and local beeswax. USDA organic vitamin E oil acts as an antioxidant. Of these ingredients the lemon balm, clove, licorice, and Manuka honey are all active against HPV-1 the virus that causes cold sores. This salve is best used as a preventative or at the start of a sore. Every case in unique and results cannot be guaranteed. 

Rose Hips are an excellent source of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, and fatty acids. The fatty acids in R. canina have been investigated, and three major bioactive fatty acid compounds have been isolated that display anti-inflammatory properties. Rose hips contain carotenoids which have been associated with induction of apoptosis, inhibition of mammary cell proliferation, and inhibition of angina pectoris. In short, they help prevent cancer and are good for your cardiovascular system. Flavonoids help prevent oxidative stress in skin, lessening the effect of aging.

Manuka honey. The importance of honey in the field of wound treatments is well-known. This healing property is due to antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and maintaining a moist wound condition. The high viscosity of honey provides a protective barrier on the wound. Manuka honey contains phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties. In addition, studies have shown that honey can exert anti-proliferative effects against cancer cells mainly through apoptosis. Microorganisms sensitive to manuka honey: Streptococcus pyogenes, Coagulase negative staphylococci, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus (CONS), Enterococcus, Hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Actinomyces viscosus, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella enterica serovar typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter spp, and  Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Licorice root has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-allergenic, and antimicrobial properties. It has been used for dermatitis, eczema, pruritus and cysts. It is highly skin permeable and prevents oxidative stress, lessening the appearance of aging. It is used to treat some forms of alopecia. Its antimicrobial properties are effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Mycobacterium bovis, Periodontopathogenic and capnophilic bacteria isolated from periodontitis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, helicobacter pylori.

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, is very high in silica, a component of skin and bones. It is anti-inflammatory and can increase collagen production. It is antimicrobial and can accelerate the healing of small burns and wounds.

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, has been shown in studies to be effective against HPV-1. It penetrates the skin and inhibits the growth of the virus. Lemon balm is highly antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory and can reduce swelling. It inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, yeasts, and fungi. In in vitro studies, lemon balm inhibited the binding of HSV-1 to host cells and virus penetration in cells.

Clove oil, Syzygium aromaticum, is a very powerful antioxidant. Clove oil has proved to be effective against Staphylococcus species of bacteria and Aspergillus niger species of fungi. It is antiviral and eugenin isolated from clove oil is anti-inflammatory and is active against HPV-1.

Rev 10/25 (c) Botany Bee Botanicals