Jamieson Vitamins has launched the first non-prescription product that attacks the Herpes Simplex virus – the cause of cold sores and fever blisters.

Soothex is an herbal cream containing an antiviral extract of the medicinal plant Melissa Officinalis.

Soothex cream is being sold in five-gram tubes in pharmacies and health food, grocery and department stores. The cost is $6.99.

There is no advertising for Soothex at this time but a campaign is likely to start in early fall when Jamieson launches more products in its homeopathic line.

The company handles advertising in-house.