Natural Cures for Canker Sores

Canker sores are painful ulcers that occur on the mucous membrane surface of the mouth, cheek, or tongue. They can occur singly or in groups, and occur more in women than in men. Symptoms of canker sores range from mild to severe. In both types of canker sores, recurring attacks are common, with several to many ulcers appearing each time. The ulcers have whitish centers surrounded by redness. Mild symptoms usually associated with canker sores that are less than one centimeter in diameter, last ten days to two weeks and heal without scarring. Severe symptoms usually associated with canker sores that are more than one centimeter in diameter, last several weeks to several months, and leave scarring. Bowel flora imbalances due to parasites, poor digestion, food sensitivities, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and/or Crohn's disease can all cause or exacerbate canker sores. Many naturopathic physicians believe that the basic cause of canker sores is most likely an allergy to wheat and/or other grains. If canker sores are persistent, each of these factors need to be ruled out and/or addressed before long-term healing can be achieved. Canker sores can also be due to stress, extreme heat, physical exertion,extreme fatigue, fever, localized trauma such as after dental work, and nutrient deficiencies such as lysine, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. They can also be contagious if they result from an infectious agent. There are natural cures for canker sores that are designed to give immediate relief, as well as to improve one's general health. Dietary and lifestyle changes enable the body's natural defenses to fight the infection. Canker Sore Remedies These are some natural remedies that are being explored for the treatment of canker sores. It's important to see a doctor, especially if canker sores recur, because they can be a symptom of another condition, such as celiac disease, Behcet's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and squamous cell carcinoma. • German Chamomile Chamomile is a herb that has been used traditionally for thousands of years. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions such as sore throats, gingivitis, eczema, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, colds, abscesses, and ulcerative colitis. Chamomile is also used to relieve pain in people with canker sores. In one preliminary study, 82% of people taking a German chamomile extract reported "excellent" pain relief. The study didn't include a placebo group, however, so it's impossible to know the true effectiveness of German chamomile in this study. People with allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemum, aster, or feverfew should avoid chamomile because it is in the same plant family. Allergic reactions, which require urgent medical attention, may include swollen eyes and lips, itching, hives, throat tightness, shortness of breath. Chamomile may interact with sedative medications, alcohol, and anti-clotting and anti-platelet ("blood-thinning") medications such as warfarin (coumadin). • Chamomile Fact Sheet • Chamomile - Drug Interactions • Chamomile and Warfarin (Coumadin) Don't Mix Lady's Mantle The herb lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) has been used as a folk remedy for mouth and throat infections, menopausal ailments, painful menstrual periods, and skin rashes. One preliminary study examined the effectiveness of a gel containing lady's mantle (3% extract of lady's mantle) in glycerine in 48 people.with canker sores. People applied the gel three times daily. After three days, the lady's mantle gel relieved discomfort and healed canker sores in 75% of people, compared with 40 percent who used commonly available treatments and 33.3% who used no treatment. Vitamin B12 People with recurrent canker sores have been found to be low in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble B vitamin that is important for maintaining nerve cells, producing DNA and RNA (our genetic material), forming red blood cells, helping iron function better in the body, improving immune function, and helping the body withstand stress. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, shortness of breath, nervousness, diarrhea, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes. People who are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency are those who have had stomach surgery, follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, have certain intestinal infections such as tapeworm or Helicobacter pylori, or have an eating disorder. Vitamin B12 supplements should not be taken with the antibiotic tetracycline, because it may reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) A form of the herb licorice, called deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL, has been explored for canker sores in a small study. By the third day of the study, 75 percent or 15 people had complete healing of canker sores. The study lacked a placebo group, however, which makes it impossible to conclude from this study that DGL was effective. The study used a mouthwash made of powdered DGL mixed with water. DGL is different from crude licorice because it has had the glycyrrhizic acid removed, the portion that can increase blood pressure. Alternatively, DGL tablets can be allowed to dissolve in the mouth.