Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Bitter Grass, commonly referring to species like Andrographis paniculata, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems, particularly in Asia. Its applications are primarily for treating infections, fever, and inflammatory conditions. In the context of cold sores (herpes simplex labialis), the traditional rationale for its use stems from its reputed "cooling" and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to counteract "heat" illnesses such as herpes eruptions in systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

However, direct traditional documentation specifically targeting cold sores is limited. While Andrographis paniculata is used for general viral infections and skin eruptions, explicit references to its use for herpes simplex virus (HSV) lesions are sparse. Most traditional sources mention its role in reducing swelling and promoting healing of sores or ulcers, which may include cold sores by extension but not explicitly.

Scientifically, there is preliminary in vitro evidence that extracts of Andrographis paniculata may exhibit antiviral activity against HSV, but robust clinical trials in humans for cold sores are lacking. Therefore, the use of Bitter Grass for cold sores is primarily justified by traditional rather than scientific evidence, and the strength of this evidence is low.

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