Natural Remedies & Herbs for Canker Sores

Licorice that has had the glycyrrhizic acid removed is called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Glycyrrhizic acid is the portion of licorice root that can increase blood pressure and cause water retention in some people. The wound-healing and soothing components of the root remain in DGL.

A mixture of DGL and warm water applied to the inside of the mouth may shorten the healing time for canker sores, according to a double-blind trial. This DGL mixture is made by combining 200 mg of powdered DGL and 200 ml of warm water. It can then be swished in the mouth for two to three minutes, then spit out. This procedure may be repeated each morning and evening for one week. Chewable DGL tablets may be an acceptable substitute.

A gel containing the aloe polysaccharide acemannon was found in one double-blind trial to speed the healing of canker sores better than the conventional treatment Orabase Plain®. The gel was applied four times daily. Because acemannon levels can vary widely in commercial aloe gel products, it is difficult to translate these results to the use of aloe gel for canker sores.

The antiviral, immune-enhancing, and wound-healing properties of echinacea may make this herb a reasonable choice for canker sores. Liquid echinacea in the amount of 4 ml can be swished in the mouth for two to three minutes, then swallowed. This procedure may be repeated three times per day. However, no research has investigated the possible effects of this treatment...