Canker sores in the mouth typically develop quickly, causing pain and discomfort. You may even have trouble chewing. They are small, shallow ulcers that form just inside the lips, along the cheeks and on the soft palate. Canker sores occur more often in women, appearing singly or in a cluster. They are often confused with cold sores; however, canker sores are not caused by a virus. The exact cause is unknown, but outbreaks appear to be related to stress and food allergy. Ask your doctor first, but there are some herbs and vitamins that may help.
Folate
If you suffer frequent outbreaks of canker sores, you may have a folate deficiency. Folate is one of the B vitamins, B-9 to be exact. It is a water soluble vitamin found naturally in some foods. Folate is also referred to as folic acid, the synthetic form found in fortified foods and dietary supplements. Adequate amounts of folate are needed to prevent anemia. Folic acid is found in leafy green vegetables, including spinach, asparagus, peas, broccoli and avocado. Many breakfast cereals and breads are fortified with folic acid. Ask your doctor about taking a folic acid supplement if you get canker sores often.
Vitamin B-12
Deficiencies of vitamin B-12 can also cause frequent outbreaks of canker sores. Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin. Although vitamin B-12 can be stored for years in the liver, it is not produced by the body. B-12 deficiency is rare, but it can happen, especially if you are a vegan or have a condition affecting absorption from your digestive tract. Vitamin B-12 is found in some foods, such as chicken, shrimp, eggs, low-fat milk and yogurt. Consult your doctor to see if vitamin B-12 supplementation is needed to prevent canker sores.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a flowering perennial plant with a dark, wrinkled taproot that is harvested for use as an herbal remedy. Licorice root is sweet and soothing to mucus membranes in the mouth. Licorice is a demulcent herb, meaning it forms a smooth film when applied to mucus membranes. However, glycyrrhizin can cause unwanted side effects, so AltMD advises taking deglycyrrhizinated licorice to avoid them. Taking deglycyrrhizinated licorice tablets, or using the powdered form to make a mouthwash, can help relieve the discomfort and hasten the healing time of canker sores.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm, or Ulmus fulva, is a tree native to parts of North America and has been used as an herbal remedy for hundreds of years. Its inner bark contains mucilage, which forms a thick gel-like substance when mixed with water. Lozenges made from slippery elm coat the mucus membranes of the mouth, alleviating the pain and inflammation that comes with canker sores. You can also make a tea from finely powdered bark that can be used as a mouthwash.
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