Natural treatments for canker sores
Canker sores, also known as mouth ulcers, are small, painful lesions that can affect oral comfort and health. While conventional treatments are available for more severe cases, many people seek natural remedies to alleviate symptoms or speed recovery. Several natural treatments have been proposed, including saltwater or baking soda rinses, which are commonly used to reduce irritation. Other remedies such as honey and yogurt may help reduce inflammation and promote gut health.
Some studies suggest that deglycyrrhizinated licorice may aid in healing canker sores, while other herbal treatments like echinacea, chamomile, and sage have also shown effectiveness. Dietary changes, including avoiding trigger foods, and the use of vitamin B12, zinc, and other supplements may provide additional support. Additionally, rinses made with lactic acid, apple cider vinegar, or alum powder are popular among those searching for relief. Although many alternatives exist, the efficacy of some remedies remains inconclusive, indicating that individual responses may vary.
Natural treatments for canker sores
DEFINITION: Treatment of mouth ulcers or sores.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Saltwater or baking soda rinse
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Acidophilus, calendula, caraway, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, lactic acid, sage, echinacea, coconut oil, chamomile, natural rinses, oak bark, Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), slippery elm, B vitamins, witch hazel, honey, dietary changes
Introduction
Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth caused by various viruses. Susceptibility to canker sores tends to run in families. Conventional treatment of minor canker sores is usually unnecessary; however, for more significant sores, oral and topical medicine is available, as well as some natural options.
Proposed Natural Treatments
A preliminary study suggests that a chemically altered form of the herb licorice known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice may be useful for speeding the resolution of canker sores. In a second, better-designed trial employing a dissolving adhesive patch with glycyrrhiza root extract, researchers noted an improvement in ulcer size and pain compared to a placebo patch.
A product containing vitamins and minerals and the herbs paprika, rosemary, peppermint, milfoil, hawthorn, and pumpkin seed has been used in Scandinavia for many years as a treatment for various mouth-related conditions. A small six-month study reported that using this product could reduce the frequency of canker sores. However, two subsequent studies failed to find any meaningful benefit. One small double-blind study found benefits with an extract of the bark of the red mangrove tree, Rhizophora mangle.
A study performed in Iraq reported benefits through using a mouthwash containing 5 percent lactic acid. Patients can also rinse their mouths with apple cider vinegar, alum powder, salt water, or baking soda. Consuming honey and yogurt have been shown to reduce inflammation and restore integral gut health. Small double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown benefit from using honey, zinc, and vitamin B12. Making dietary changes and avoiding trigger foods have been shown to be helpful. Coconut oil, chamomile compresses, echinacea, and sage have also shown effectiveness. Doctors often prescribe supplements containing folate, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12 to patients suffering from canker sores. Other herbs and supplements sometimes recommended for canker sores but lacking supporting evidence include caraway, oak bark, witch hazel, acidophilus, calendula, slippery elm, and vitamin B1. Another study failed to find that alpha-linolenic acid from perilla oil reduced the incidence of canker sores.
Bibliography
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