Canker sores can be very distressing and they are hard to ignore for they hurt terribly. Though the cause of canker sores is unknown, they are not caused by germs and microbes and are not contagious. A canker sore has a red border and a whitish yellow center. They usually appear inside the mouth on the tongue, inner lip and inner cheeks. They are very painful and hurt a lot when one tries to speak, eat or drink. The pain usually disappears and the sore heals within a week or two but until then the pain is almost unbearable.
The mind keeps riveting on the pain and the tongue constantly keeps moving on the sore in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Stress, anxiety, certain drugs, hormonal imbalance and a deficiency in folic acid and the B group vitamins can possibly trigger canker sores. Everyone gets these sores at some time or another but there is no cause for worry as they can be easily remedied at home.
Various Home Remedies For Canker Sores
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is widely used to heal and cure innumerable bodily ailments and dysfunctions. It owes its utility to a constituent known as capsaicin which has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain healing qualities.Take some cayenne pepper and mix it with a little ghee to form a paste. Coat the ulcer in the mouth with this paste. You can use it as frequently as you want to find comfort from the pain.
Aloe Vera
Everyone keeps a pot of aloe vera plant. This useful plant has so many potent curative powers that it is always handy to have one at home for instant use. Cut a piece of the leaf and remove its skin. Rub the gel on the sore for a few minutes.If you are unable to reach the sore inside your mouth then chew the gel and swish the juice around your mouth three or four times daily. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera will relieve the pain and heal the sore very quickly.
Ice
If you want quick relief in the pain then apply ice on the sore and rub it gently onto it. If your sores are at the back of your mouth and are not easily reachable then take some ice cold water in a glass and rinse your mouth with it, three or four times regularly. Ice will numb the pain and soothe the irritated tissues.
Sage
Sage is a very aromatic and is full of powerful healing and curing properties. Boil a glass of water and steep one teaspoon of dried sage leaves into it for ten minutes. Strain the infusion and use it as gargle. Rinse your mouth three or four times with sage tea to cure the sores and the pain.
Salt
Combine one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda and mix it into a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth frequently with this mixture. You can also apply the mixture of baking soda and salt directly on the sore to heal it faster.
