Healing cold sores with medicinal mushrooms

What are cold sores?

You’re probably eager to get straight into using medicinal mushrooms for cold sores. However, as with all these topics, it’s useful to give an overview of the condition first. Cold sores are a relatively common concern, usually heralded by a tingling, burning, or itching sensation in the affected area. This then develops into small, painful, fluid-filled blisters around the mouth. These then eventually dry out and scab over, before healing completely. An outbreak typically lasts a week or two.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), normally type 1. Once you’ve been infected with this virus, it remains in your body for the rest of your life. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 67% of people under 50 are infected with HSV-1.(1) Many people with the virus experience only mild symptoms, or even none at all. Yet for others, it can cause not only cold sores but also other symptoms like fever and muscle aches. If you’re in this camp, knowing how to harness the power of mushrooms for cold sores could be helpful.

There are several factors that may cause the HSV-1 virus to reactivate and produce cold sores. For example, it might happen when you’re stressed, have a cold or other infection, or your immune system is weakened.

In most cases, cold sores are painful and annoying, but not a major cause for concern. However, you should see a doctor if you experience a high or persistent fever, or have difficulty swallowing or breathing. Likewise, if you suffer from any symptoms that affect your eyes, book an appointment straight away. The same goes if you have an existing health condition. For everyone else, you could try using mushrooms for cold sores.

How to heal cold sores

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first – there’s currently no cure for cold sores. Having said that, there are ways to treat them and alleviate their symptoms. You may also be able to reduce the likelihood of the condition returning. While this article mainly focuses on using mushrooms for cold sores, there are other methods worth trying too. We’ll start with a quick discussion of those.

First, there are creams and ointments you can get from a doctor or pharmacist to ease the pain and irritation. Patches are also available that protect the skin while it heals. In addition, some people find that aloe vera gel helps to soothe cold sores. Make sure you drink plenty of water too, as this will help you avoid dehydration.

It’s important to remember that cold sores are contagious. As such, don’t kiss anyone who has one, or share cosmetics, straws, food, or utensils with them. And, of course, if you have a cold sore, follow the same protocol to protect others. It’s also a good idea not to touch cold sores – if you do, wash your hands thoroughly before and after.

If you find you get recurring cold sores, it might be helpful to try and figure out what triggers them. This could be anything from stress to sun exposure. You can then attempt to mitigate these factors, for example by wearing sun cream or trying meditation to destress. (Spoiler alert: tackling the effects of stress is one way to use mushrooms for cold sores!) Like with many such issues, a holistic approach is often the most effective.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

You’re probably well aware, but when we talk about using mushrooms for cold sores, we don’t mean any old fungus! We’re specifically referring to medicinal mushrooms. These offer health benefits above and beyond the nutritional value of other species. Many have been part of traditional medicine systems for centuries. And now, modern scientific research is finding evidence to verify their effectiveness.

Each type of functional fungi has its unique advantages, but there are lots that they all share. And when it comes to using mushrooms for cold sores, several of the factors that make them useful are common to all species. Time to take a closer look!

How mushrooms support the immune system

We mentioned above that cold sores often strike when something has weakened your immune system. To counter this, it can be helpful to give your immunity a little extra assistance. And adding functional fungi to your diet could be a great way to do so.

One reason you’re able to use mushrooms for cold sores in this manner is that several species have anti-viral properties. For example, a study revealed that chaga extract could decrease herpes simplex virus infection in cells.(2) Other research has found that shiitake mushrooms inhibit infection of the herpes simplex virus too.(3) While further investigation is necessary to say how effective mushroom herpes protection is outside the lab, these results are promising.

There are also less targeted reasons you can use mushrooms for cold sores. Functional fungi contain potent polysaccharides that support immunity more generally. For instance, turkey tail is rich in polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK). These help to increase and activate certain types of white blood cells, which fight infection and protect against pathogens.(4) In this way, it’s possible that by taking turkey tail mushroom herpes infection may be less likely. Again, however, further research is necessary to confirm this.

Medicinal fungi are also high in a type of fibre called beta-glucan. This has a number of impressive health benefits, including supporting the immune system. Studies show that it can activate specific kinds of immune cells, such as monocytes and macrophages, and protect against infection.(5) None of this means that taking mushrooms for cold sores will guarantee you won’t catch the virus or experience symptoms. However, it may reduce the probability of being infected or the frequency and severity of those symptoms.

Mushrooms for cold sores: the power of adaptogens

This next use of mushrooms for cold sores relates more to reducing the likelihood of them flaring up again. As we said earlier, stress is often a trigger for this condition, so lessening it could be helpful. Now, unfortunately, we can’t completely avoid stressful situations! However, there are things we can do to ease stress and decrease its adverse effects on the body. And one of those tactics is adding medicinal fungi to your diet.

The reason for this is that these fungi act as adaptogens. In case you’re not familiar with the term, this means they improve your resistance to stress. Adaptogens reduce the negative impact of different types of stress on the mind and body. For example, studies have found that lion’s mane could ease feelings of anxiety and depression.(6) This way of utilising mushrooms for cold sores is more indirect, but could still lower the chances of triggering them.

In a similar vein, some of these adaptogenic fungi can improve the quality of your sleep. How is that relevant? Well, a lack of sleep may increase feelings of irritation, stress, and anxiety. What’s more, it weakens your immune system and leaves you more vulnerable to infection.(7) As such, anything that helps you to get better slumber could prove useful.

This is where we find a link between reishi mushroom and herpes protection. Studies have found that reishi might enhance both the duration and the quality of your sleep.(8) This is thanks to certain triterpenoids and sterols it contains, such as ganoderic acid and beta-sitosterol. And the best part is that the benefits of improved sleep go far beyond using mushrooms for cold sores!