CANKER SORES

MOUTH ULCERS, OFTEN CALLED canker sores, can be excruciatingly uncomfortable. Experts disagree on what causes them, but the culprits that turn up frequently in studies include food allergies, immune dysfunction, viral infections and nutritional deficiencies. In particular, being short on iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid may bring on canker sores. So if these recurrent little sores are giving you trouble out of proportion to their size, consider checking with your doctor or a qualified herbalist or nutritionist to determine whether you are running low on one of these nutrients.

DRUG TREATMENT

Topical Steroids
Triamcinolone acetonide (Adcortyl in Orabase for mouth ulcers), fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar). Function: decrease inflammation and pain.
Side effects: thinning of skin, redness, allergic reaction.

Local Anaesthetics
Benzocaine (Rinstead).
Function: temporarily decreases pain.
Side effects: allergic reactions; long-term use can affect the central nervous system.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Mouth ulcers stem from a breakdown in tissue structure. Gotu kola is widely used to heal wounds and promote connective tissue growth.
Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea daily (steep 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 minutes). You can also use this tea cold as a soothing rinse.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida)
Echinacea tinctures produce a numbing sensation that may offer relief from a mouth ulcer's throbbing ache. If your sore is large, deep or excruciatingly painful, however, be aware that the alcohol in tinctures may sting. If that's the case, or if you just want to avoid alcohol, try using a glycerin extract, also called a glycerite.
Typical dosage: 20 to 40 drops in 70 to 85 millilitres of water up to four times per day. Swish around in the mouth to make sure that the numbing components make contact with the sore.
Caution: people allergic to ragweed may be allergic to echinacea. Do not use if you have an autoimmune disorder.

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
This potent anti-inflammatory herb helps tissues heal. Liquorice is also antiviral so, if your mouth ulcers have a viral connection, this is a good herb to use.
Typical dosage: open a capsule and put a pinch of powder on the sore, or suck on a lozenge made from deglycyrrhizinated liquorice.

Camomile (Matricaria recutita)
One study showed that a camomile mouthwash was effective in treating mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy, probably because the herb fights inflammation and helps wounds heal. It's also a gentle sedative, so if you think that stress may be depleting your immune system and that's why you're getting mouth ulcers, this is a good herb to choose.
Typical dosage: up to 4 cups of tea per day (steep I to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 minutes), taken internally or cooled and used as a mouthwash; or 10 to 40 drops of tincture up to three times per day (the tincture can also be taken internally or used as a mouthwash).

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Goldenseal is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, so it can help fight the infection of a mouth ulcer, and ease the swelling and throbbing that makes having one so painful. It also helps inhibit the further growth of bacteria.
Typical dosage: 20 to 50 drops of tincture, dissolved in a little water and swished in the mouth. Caution: do not use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
This herb is starting to receive serious attention for its ability to promote healing when applied topically. Ginkgo leaf extract is rich in antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. For mouth ulcers, you don't need the more expensive extract; just make a strong tea using the leaf.
Typical dosage: steep 1/2 teaspoon of dried leaf in 1/4 litre of hot water for 15 minutes and apply to the sore with a clean cotton-wool ball as needed.

MOUTH ULCER DRESSING
You can use this gel as often as hourly throughout the day, until your mouth ulcer heals.
1 teaspoon echinacea tincture
1 teaspoon goldenseal tincture
1 teaspoon calendula tincture
1 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Mix all ingredients in a small jar with a tight seal. To use, place a pea-sized amount of the gel on a clean piece of gauze; hold in the mouth against the sore.