A cold sore usually goes away on its own within 7 to 10 days even without treatment. Actually, there’s no known treatment for it — you just have to let your immune system do the job.

But why wait for several days when it’s possible to banish that cold sore faster?

Perhaps you have already tried every single popular home remedy for a cold sore. Not happy with the results? Maybe it’s time that you give some uncommon remedies for it a try!

So without further ado, here are some strange cold sore remedies that are bound to yield impressive results:

Pure Vanilla Extract

Not really into baking? If you suffer from a cold sore every now and then, it’s a good idea for you to have a small bottle of vanilla extract in your kitchen — or bathroom or medicine cabinet.

That’s because this staple ingredient in making all sorts of baked treats and desserts can zap that cold sore.

According to scientists, vanilla extract possesses superb anti-inflammatory properties. It’s exactly for this reason why it can be used as an effective albeit lesser-known home remedy for a pesky cold sore.

What you need to do is daub a drop of vanilla extract on a cold sore several times a day.

However, make sure that the vanilla extract you use is the kind that’s pure — some of the ones that your favorite supermarket sells are only vanilla flavored.

Toothpaste With Baking Soda

Everyone knows that toothpaste is a home remedy for a zit. Are you aware that it’s also something that you may rely on each time you got a cold sore?

Proponents say that menthol and alcohol in toothpaste can accelerate the drying up of a cold sore.

If you want faster results, see to it that the toothpaste you daub on your cold sore contains baking soda — this highly versatile white stuff can neutralize acids that can make matters worse.

Make sure that you allow toothpaste with baking soda to remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes to give it plenty of time to weave its cold sore-banishing magic.

Fresh Cow’s Milk

It’s no secret that milk is great for keeping osteoporosis at bay, thanks to the loads of bone-strengthening calcium found in every serving of it.

Are you aware that you can count on milk each time a cold sore makes its presence known?

Just like baking soda, milk is very good at neutralizing acids — applying it on the problem area can help reduce the symptoms and speed up the healing process.

What’s more, milk contains immunoglobulins which are substances that attack and get rid of anything that’s not supposed to be in or on your body, such as the virus behind a cold sore.

Milk also contains lysine, an amino acid that is revered for its anti-cold sore properties.

Lysine-Rich Foods

Speaking of lysine, there are lysine supplements and creams being sold on the market for individuals who suffer from cold sores on a regular basis.

But why buy those products when you can simply get lysine from foods?

It’s a wonderful thing that there are so many foods that are packed with lysine. Needless to say, you simply have to add them to your diet on a regular basis to fend off cold sores or bounce back from them faster.

Some of the top sources of lysine include: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, apples, pears, mangoes, apricots, milk, cheese and yogurt.

By the way, you may also daub unflavored yogurt on a cold sore regularly for faster relief.

Do you know of any other unusual home remedy for a cold sore? If yes, kindly share it in the comments section below so that others with cold sores may try them as well.