Canker sores, also known as apthous ulcers, are tiny, painful ulcers that develop inside the mouth. While these ulcers are not contagious, they are fairly painful, and may develop on your tongue, inside your cheeks, or on the mouth floor. The actual reason behind canker sores is often unknown, and mostly needs a day or two to heal fully.
Read On To Find Out The Top 11 Herbal Remedies For Canker Sores:
German Chamomile
Chamomile is highly effective for reducing pain linked with canker sores. German chamomile, in particular, helps to relieve canker sores effectively. 82 percent of participants using German chamomile experienced excellent pain relief. If you’re allergic to aster, chrysanthemum, feverfew, or ragweed, avoid chamomile, as it belongs to the same plant family.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is extremely beneficial for healing wounds and infections, due to its antiseptic properties. You may add two teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of boiling water, and allow it to cool. You can then strain it, and use it as a mouth rinse twice-thrice daily.
Echinacea
Echinacea is also good for mouth ulcers, as it displays anti-viral, wound-healing, and immune-boosting properties. You can prepare a mouth rinse by adding 4-5 ml of echinacea liquid extract to a glass of water. You can rinse your mouth twice-thrice daily using this herbal rinse. Do not swallow this mouth rinse.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is a common folk remedy for throat and mouth infections. According to a clinical trial, a gel containing 3 percent lady’s mantle extract was administered to 48 people, from which nearly 75 percent people experienced complete relief after three days.
Cayenne
Cayenne is another effective herbal remedy for canker sores, as it contains capsaicin. This chemical component helps in desensitizing the nerves that trigger pain. This is the reason why cayenne pepper is often added to candies that are made for relieving mouth sore pain.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is often utilized in Ayurvedic preparations for relieving canker sores. Preliminary studies have shown that aloe vera extract may help to relieve canker sores. Experts often suggest using 1-3 tablespoons of aloe juice as a mouth rinse thrice daily.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice also helps in combatting canker sores. A clinical trial was carried out on a group of 20 people, out of which 15 participants experienced complete healing of canker sores by the third day. This study involved the use of a mouth rinse prepared by mixing DGL with water.
Spilanthes
Spilanthes is another effective herbal remedy for canker sores. This herb helps in combatting viral, fungal, and bacterial infections inside the mouth. Spilanthes displays analgesic properties, which assist in decreasing pain and inflammation linked with canker sores. You can eat Spilanthes leaves raw or in the form of salads for relieving canker sores.
Oregon grape
Oregon grape also helps in relieving canker sores, by fighting against viral, bacterial, and fungal infections that are often responsible for this problem. This herb is packed with berberine, an active component that combats inflammation linked with canker sores. Also, Oregon grape possesses anti-septic properties, which promotes healing of canker sores.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is also good for those suffering from canker sores. This is because it contains potassium, zinc, magnesium, beta-carotene, zinc, and vitamins C, E, and K, which promote quick healing of these ulcers. You may prepare alfalfa tea by steeping alfalfa leaves in a cup of boiling water. You can then use this tea as a mouth rinse twice-thrice daily.
Myrrh
Myrrh is extremely beneficial for relieving canker sores, due to the fact that it contains high concentrations of tannins. Tannins help in relieving mild inflammations inside the mouth, and has been used as a traditional treatment for gum and mouth irritations.