Learn The Healing Uses of 12 Essential Herbs

Canker Sore Remedy

all remedies and recipes

Recently we needed a canker sore (aphthous ulcer) remedy for our four year old daughter Hailey, and discovered a tincture mix that brought some great soothing relief!

To make this effective remedy for canker sores you will need:

2 tablespoons echinacea tincture
2 tablespoons lemon balm tincture
And 2 tablespoons sage tincture
Need herbs? Visit Mountain Rose Herbs.

For this canker sore remedy, simply mix the equal parts of the three tinctures together in a dropper bottle. Swish a dropper full of the mixture around in your mouth 2 to 3 times per day.

For Hailey, this routine relieved the canker sore pain immediately, and the canker sore was completely healed in just a couple of days.

Canker sores are mouth ulcers or open sores in the mouth. They are not caused by a bacteria or a virus but may occur due to food allergies/sensitivities, toothpaste ingredients, stress, or trauma to the lining of the mouth. These painful ulcers may be an indication of weakened immune function.

This mix makes a great canker sore remedy because all three herbs are very cleansing with antimicrobial properties (antiseptic, antibiotic and antiviral). While canker sores are not caused by viruses or bacteria, they can be irritated by bacteria in the mouth. So the cleansing properties of these herbs do help with the healing process and oral hygiene.

The echinacea in this home remedy helps to boost the immune system while adding anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. Lemon balm and sage are also pain relieving and astringent. Sage contains astringent tannins which make it a traditional canker sore remedy. Want to learn more about the gifts of these powerful herbs? Check out our Plant Monographs on HerbMentor. HerbMentor is our online herbal education platform that you can join now for just $1.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about canker sores…

Are canker sores the same thing as cold sores or fever blisters?

The term "fever blister" is a synonym for "cold sore." Cold sores are not canker sores. Cold sore outbreaks are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can be passed person to person—i.e., they are contagious. Cold sore symptoms can include tingling, itching, pain, and more. Here are some natural remedies for cold sores.

Should I avoid any foods when I have a canker sore?

Yes, when you have a canker sore, you generally want to avoid eating spicy food, salty food, acidic food, and abrasive foods which can irritate the soft tissue in the mouth and increase the annoying pain of the sore. For that matter, opting for a soft-bristled tooth brush can also help avoid further irritation to the mucous membranes. Taking these steps plus working with the remedies for canker sores above can help address the symptoms of canker sores.

How common are canker sores?

Canker sores are a very, very common mouth sore. As people age, these shallow ulcers tend to occur with less frequency, but they can show up at any age.

Written by Kimberly Gallagher

Kimberly Gallagher, M.Ed., CCH is author of Aphrodisiac, the Herb Fairies book series and creator of the Wildcraft! board game. She is also co-founder and co-CEO of LearningHerbs. Kimberly is parent to two amazing grown kids and is passionate about sustainable living, cultural transformation, healthy cooking, and storytelling.