Small but very annoying, canker sores often appear in the mouth making it difficult for the more daring to speak, eat and kiss!

These are small ulcers of the mucous membrane that often appear in the mouth and which initially appear as whitish dots and then evolve to form painful lesions.

The causes of canker sores are not fully known and various factors are believed to be behind the onset of these ulcers. Among these, for example, we find hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies , in particular deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate and of minerals such as zinc and iron.

Other triggers can be Helicobacter pylori infections , chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and immune system dysfunctions. Oral canker sores, in fact, are not uncommon in celiac subjects or in those suffering from Crohn’s disease and tend to appear in periods of high stress .

However, canker sores can affect the oral mucosa even following trauma or contact with dirty objects.

Although mouth ulcers tend to subside spontaneously, the healing process can take up to two weeks.

If you suffer from canker sores frequently, it is good to consult your doctor for a diagnosis , or to establish which disease or physiological condition caused them.

The remedies to treat canker sores first involve finding the triggering cause and working on that. In the meantime, there are effective natural remedies to relieve the symptom. Let’s find out the 10 most effective remedies to treat canker sores.

Read also canker sores in children, causes and natural remedies 

Here are the 10 most effective natural remedies to treat canker sores:
1.  Zinc, Iron , Folate

If canker sores appear as a result of a dietary deficiency of minerals and vitamins , improving your diet or introducing them in the form of a supplement can speed up and make the healing process definitive.

2. Immunostimulating herbs

If the canker sores are a consequence of stress or a drop in immune defenses, supplementation with the main adaptogenic and immunostimulating herbs such as ginseng , rhodiola , echinacea (in mother tincture, for rinses or in drops to be taken with a little water), astragalus or reishi (in the form of dry extract, to be taken in capsules), garlic.
3. Calendula Calendula has anti

– inflammatory and healing properties and can be used for compresses to be made directly on canker sores to relieve inflammation and, consequently, pain. Similarly, other herbs with similar action can be used, such as chamomile and mallow .

4. Probiotics If an intestinal problem

triggers the onset of canker sores , it can be very useful to resort to probiotics to be taken through the diet or in the form of supplements. As far as nutrition is concerned, yogurt, kefir, tempeh and other fermented foods are helpful in this regard .

5.  Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia oil)

This essential oil with disinfectant and antibacterial properties is also excellent in case of canker sores. It can be applied by diluting a drop in a teaspoon of coconut oil , a natural ingredient with emollient and slowing properties.

6.  Aloe vera gel Aloe vera

is also an effective natural remedy for treating canker sores, as it boasts anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help speed up the healing process .

If you have aloe vera plants you can take a leaf and apply the gel it contains directly on the canker sores, repeating 3-4 times a day. Alternatively, you can use 100% pure aloe gel for internal use, diluting a teaspoon of gel in a cup of water to perform oral rinses.

7.  Propolis

Thanks to its antibacterial properties and its wax content, propolis will be effective in treating canker sores. It will be necessary to use 100% natural propolis, non alcoholic, to be applied directly on the mouth ulcer, morning and evening.

8. Natural Antioxidants

Eating foods rich in antioxidants or taking supplements that contain them can help relieve inflammation and speed up the healing process of canker sores.

Fruits and vegetables are generally rich in molecules with antioxidant action: blueberries, red fruits, cherries, tomatoes, are just a few examples.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C, in addition to having an antioxidant action , plays fundamental roles for the health of skin and mucous membranes.

It can be taken by consuming foods that contain it (for example peppers, kiwis, tomatoes, citrus fruits ), in the form of a vitamin supplement or thanks to the administration of herbal preparations based on rose hips.
10. Tea

Thanks to the tannin content, with its healing properties , a black tea bag can be used as a remedy for canker sores: just prepare a tea and use the bag by applying it directly to the canker sores .