What Causes Canker Sores?

Canker Sore Remedy

In Need Of A Canker Sore Remedy

The search for a universal canker sore remedy has gone on…well, for a long time. Fact is, no one has really been able to figure out what causes them—it’s not exactly bacterial or viral—which makes it hard to find a cure. And since traditional medicine hasn’t been able to find a definitive cure, you might as well try some alternative approaches to canker sore relief, right?

Chamomile. You know, the same stuff they use for tea? Turns out it’s good for a whole lot of other things besides sore throats, too. People with irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, psoriasis, and gingivitis (as well as canker sores) have all reported improvements after being treated with chamomile. Be careful, though; chamomile can interact badly with other medications (such as those for high blood pressur) and cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Lady’s mantle. The herb Alchemilla vulgaris has been shown to be effective in at least one study of canker sore treatment. At the end of three days, results showed a 75% improvement rate in those who used a gel containing Lady’s mantle extract over those who used traditional medicine approaches (40%) and those who used nothing at all (33%).
Licorice extract. Now although raw licorice has been linked to high blood pressure, there is something called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL for short) which has had the high blood pressure-causing element removed. DGL (in a mouthwash) has been shown in at least one study to bring total healing to 75% of the study group in three days.

Be sure to see your doctor if symptoms have not cleared up within 14 days, no matter what canker sore remedy you choose.