One of the most popular home remedies for cold sores is the humble tea bag, which seems to act in at least 2 ways to counter the effects of cold sores.
Firstly it acts as a compress, relieving pain and inflammation; but also the presence of tannin in tea, which has anti-oxidant properties, seems to act as a suppressant to the virus, helping heal the sore faster - and like most home remedies for cold sores, tea bags possess no side effects.
