Cold sores
Supplements studied for cold sores.
Overview
Lysine has the strongest cold sore evidence here, with 10 indexed studies. Daily oral lysine around 1000–1248 mg, or 1000 mg three times daily, may reduce recurrence frequency and severity of herpes labialis, with longer six- to twelve-month regimens also studied.
Topical Zinc creams and zinc oxide–glycine formulations may shorten outbreaks and ease blistering, itching, and pain. Reishi has only been tested within a multi-herb mixture that shortened healing in one small trial, so isolated reishi effects remain unknown. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
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SupplementDEX Database
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