Cumin may help cold sores

Van Andel Institute (VAI) researchers have found that curcumin, a component of the curry spice turmeric, blocks herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infections that commonly result in facial cold sores. Finding out how curcumin blocks the infections will be key to developing a treatment for cold sore sufferers.

The team found that cells treated with cumin did not support HSV-1 virus infections well. There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1, which commonly results in facial cold sores or fever blisters, and HSV-2, commonly associated with genital herpes. The VAI findings focused on HSV-1, which affects more than half of Americans. Resulting cold sores can be painful, unsightly, and recur frequently.

However, simply apply cumin to cold sores won't work, the team warn. Further research needs to be carried out on the mechanism behind their findings.