Canker sores, also called stomatitis, are painful sores of the inside of the mouth, inside of lips, gums and even on the tongue. The pain can be raw, sharp, burning or a combination of them all. This can alter the taste, smell and breath. Canker sores are a sign of digestive disturbances. Causes are unknown from a medical viewpoint. Topical pain relievers are often used along with steroids. These may be toxic.
The first natural remedies for canker sores is to use digestives (herbs, cell salts, or homeopathic remedies) which help digestion as well as calm the nervous system. An herbal “bitters” formula can often stimulate better digestion too so cankers will go away. Canker sores are not a single symptom, but specific for each individual. Use a combination of the following remedies for symptomatic relief then find the underlying individual’s weaknesses.
Helping digestion will help cankers disappear, but Lysine, an amino acid (a protein component), taken on a daily basis helps prevent and get rid of canker sores.Painful sores on the tongue have been shown to be relieved with 2,000 to 6,000mg of Lysine per day.
Natural Healing Protocol — First, choose an herb. Then add a cell salt or cell salt solution. Finally, choose the homeopathic remedy that fits your situation best. Combining supplements will do more to support your body’s ability to function properly than using just one. Your ability to heal will depend on the severity and length of time symptoms have been present.
Herbs for Canker Sores
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Use a combination of a capsule of each Fenugreek, Chamomile, and Slippery elm before each meal will aid digestion.
In the mouth or on the lips:
Arnica tincture (10 drops in 8 ounces of water), gargle and spit out relieves pain very effectively.
Boneset – for symptomatic relief (also for colds and flu).
Sage tea – gargle several times a day (swallow if you like the taste).
White oak bark – astringent and will shrink cankers with other remedies.
Cell Salts to Help with Canker Sores
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#4 Ferr phos 6X – general inflammation
#5 Kali mur 6X – grayish white cankers and white mucus, respiratory problems
#6 Kali phos 6X – nervous stress conditions, bad breath, mouth is dry, gums spongy
Canker Sore Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Rhus tox (#1 Homeopathic for Cankers) – whole mouth and throat has copper or bitter taste; excess saliva; bloody saliva in sleep; gums sore; may have also stiffness or arthritis of throat.
Natrum mur (#2 Homeopathic for Cankers) – cankers with bitter or loss of taste and smell; excess saliva, watery, bloody; worse mornings; can also have fever blisters.
Borax – painful, burning; excess saliva; recurring cankers; cankers mostly on tongue.
Mercurius solubis – especially in children; lots of saliva; night sweats; tongue has teeth marks; worse at night, better during the day.
Mezereum – bitter sour taste; excess saliva; breath smells like rotten cheese; burning; better eating; white canker sores also on corners of mouth..
Nitricum acidum – splinter sticking pains; bad breath; better from traveling; worse night.
Sulphuricum acidum – recurring canker sores with severe unbearable burning pain; sensitive to acidic foods.
