A friend asked me what kind of remedy I had up my sleeve for cold sores as she had two of them at one time. I happened to have some lemon balm tincture I made last year and with a sudden inspiration I added a couple drops of clove essential oil. (in about 2 ounces of lemon balm extract) Clove is not only antiviral but will help numb the pain also.
She called the next day and said the cold sores were pretty much gone! :-)