Canker sores are also known as aphthous ulcers. These are small ulcers in the mouth that are usually painful. The border of the ulcer is usually red, and the center is white. They can happen on your tongue, lips, inside the cheeks or on the floor of your mouth. Most people come down with an aphthous ulcer at some time or other in their lives. Don't confuse them with cold sores, which are found on the lips, gums or the hard palate. Cold sores, unlike these ulcers, are contagious.

Symptoms

A sore normally presents symptoms like a painful ulcer inside the mouth, a burning or tingling sensation before an ulcer appears, or sores that are round, white or gray in color with a red border.

Causes

The cause of most canker sores remains unknown. Some may be traced to stress or certain foods. Some medications may also cause ulcers in some people. Some cases may be a symptom of underlying health problems like an impaired immune system, malnutrition or Crohn's disease.

Cautions

If you also experience fever, sluggishness and swollen lymph nodes, you may want to visit your doctor. This could mean the sores are only a symptom of something larger.

Herbal Treatments

Internal Applications

• German chamomile – this herb helps relieve the pain of canker sores. Use the extract for the best relief. If you are allergic to ragweed, stay away from German chamomile.
• Papaya – eat fresh papaya or chew papaya leaves for relief. Papaya supplements can also be taken to help with ulcers.

External Applications

• Lady's mantle – a commercial preparation with lady's mantle in a gel can be applied directly on the sore three times a day.
• Honey – apply raw honey directly onto the ulcer for immediate relief from the pain. Honey also heals the sore very quickly.
• Aloe vera – swish aloe juice in your mouth frequently throughout the day as needed for relief.
• Goldenseal – apply powdered herb directly on the sore or rinse your mouth with a wash containing goldenseal and salt.
• Myrrh – dab a little powdered myrrh on the canker sores. The myrrh is antibacterial and antiviral and will help the sores heal. Myrrh tincture - use 1 teaspoon in water as gargle 3 times a day.
• Sage – make a gargle of sage herbal tea by infusing 20 grams of dried leaves in 1 litre of boiling water for 10 minutes, strain, cool and use as a mouth wath 2 - 3 times a day to treat inflammations in the mouth and throat.
• Calendula - infuse 5 grams dried flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain, cool and use as a mouthwash 2-3 times a day.
• Wild geranium – the root is used to make a wash to rinse the mouth out.
• Licorice – a mouthwash made with licorice provided relief to a majority of people who tried it. It may be sweetened if you wish to make it more palatable.
• Cankerroot – also known as goldthread, the roots are made into an herbal tea or chewed raw to treat ulcers. This is a traditional remedy of Native Americans and early settlers.
• Sweet Violet - has been used to treat mouth infections and an infusion can be made to use as a mouthwash.

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