Dr Alex Semprini, who is leading the research, emphasised its importance and said participants could get a great benefit from taking part in the study at one of the local pharmacies.
"A small pilot study by a team in Dubai found that local honey was effective in reducing the healing time for cold sores," said Dr Semprini.
"We have been conducting studies into the topical application of medical grade New Zealand kanuka honey for various skin conditions for a few years.
"Given the tendency for many cold sores to blister and form painful wounds, we want to see whether the honey helps heal them faster."
He said that honey is known to have positive effects in wound healing, because it promotes the growth of granular tissue, new blood vessels and reduced swelling.
"Applying the honey regularly to a cold sore that hasn't yet blistered, may slow or halt the progression of the cold sore," he said.
"When applied to a cold sore at the blistering/wound stage it may help heal the sore faster, and reduce associated pain. The antibacterial effects of honey may also prevent secondary infection of the cold sore area."
The study is unique in that it is operating in the community with pharmacists enrolling, consenting, randomising and dispensing the study treatment.
"Honey has a long history of use in medicine with Hippocrates writing of its use in ulcers.
Many traditional cold and flu remedies incorporate honey," said Dr Semprini.
"I feel its important to take notice of such widely used approaches, but also to gain robust clinical evidence for any effects."
The research could create a Pharmacy Research Network and further streamline the effectiveness and affordability of studies in the future.
