Canker sores, or mouth ulcers, can be a real pain in the... mouth! At any given time, millions of people are suffering from these painful little white mouth sores. At a minimum, the pain caused by canker sores is annoying and, for some people who often get 2 or more at a time, the pain can be debilitating.
No one knows exactly what causes them but, in many cases, they may be an immune system reaction to a virus, bacteria, or yeast infection. There is also evidence that breakouts are linked to stress, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, gluten-sensitivity, food allergies, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Also, there is evidence that canker sores may be caused, in some people, by a reaction to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a detergent found in most brands of toothpaste.
Unfortunately, there aren't really any 100% proven treatments or prevention techniques for canker sores. However, several treatments are available to reduce pain and speed healing of the ulcers. Your doctor may prescribe something like a triamcinolone (cortisone) shot or other pharmaceutical-based treatment but you might want to attempt to treat your canker sores naturally before you go the "pharma" route. (Note: If you seem to get canker sores very frequently, or if your sores last for more than 2 weeks, you should definitely see a doctor or dentist.)
The most important thing you can do to prevent canker sores, or any health problem for that matter, is to practice a healthy lifestyle. Eat a variety of healthy foods, get plenty of sleep, and exercise several times per week. These simple steps will keep your immune system functioning well and your stress levels low. But there are several other natural canker sore treatment and prevention techniques that might work for you. Try a few and see if they don't help...
Diet Tips:
-- eat a healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, low in sugar and trans-fats -- eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin E (eg. nuts and soy), calcium (eg. dairy, spinach, sunflower seeds), thiamine (eg. whole grains, sunflower seeds, beans), and iron (eg. red meat, green leafy vegetables, legumes) -- drink plenty of pure water every day -- take a good multi-vitamin supplement and extra vitamin C (500 mg or more per day) -- keep a food diary to find out if certain foods trigger canker sores and/or make them worse -- avoid the wheat protein gluten with a gluten-free diet -- eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, etc. or take an acidophilus supplement
Natural Remedies and Prevention Techniques:
-- use a sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-free toothpaste -- take large doses of vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1000 mg 2 - 3 times per day until the sores heal) -- take an L-Lysine (amino acid) supplement -- take a sustained-release B vitamin supplement -- use gums and candies sweetened with xylitol -- apply an oral aloe vera gel to speed healing and reduce pain -- rinse with undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide several times per day -- use chewable deglycyrrhizinated licorice or chew on a licorice twig throughout the day -- apply a wet, black tea bag to the ulcers to reduce pain
Keep in mind that there are also several over-the-counter canker sore treatments that can quickly reduce pain and possibly even speed healing by keeping the sores clean. You might want to give them a try!
Almost everyone has experienced the pain of a cold sore outbreak. Besides being painful cold sores are also rather unsightly looking and highly contagious, causing many of us to forgo or restrict our usual activities for the duration of an outbreak.
Learn this simple and easy Healing Salve recipe made with pure essential oils to use at the first signs of a cold sore to prevent outbreaks, or for relief after an outbreak and to promote rapid healing. This Healing Salve is non greasy, petroleum free, won't cake or build up and makes a terrific handmade gift for a special friend or loved one!
The Healing Salve formula I am teaching you is an intensive, long wear Healing Salve formulated to moisturize and heal cold sores, as well as other sensitive skin areas, especially those that have been exposed to the environment.
BENEFITS of this Healing Salve:
A proven beneficial treatment for cold sores use this Healing Salve to prevent cold sore outbreaks and to speed their healing fast.
Use Healing Salve to heal dry, chapped lips fast!
Use Healing Salve on sensitive, dry, chapped or bruised skin to soothe and promote rapid healing.
Excellent for smoothing mouth wrinkles or smoker's mouth.
ABOUT THE PURE ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE HEALING SALVE RECIPE:
Thousands of people around the world have experienced great results for treating cold sores using the pure essential oils I recommend in this Healing Salve recipe.
HELICHRYSUM'S ability to prevent swelling and inflammation and to accelerate the formation of new tissue is legendary and its skin regenerating activity is superior to any other essential oil. Helichrysum protects newly formed cells! Generally Helichrysum will work for all conditions in which inflamed tissues need to be calmed down and regenerated. It is especially beneficial for the skin and recommended for use on injured or badly bruised tissue after an accident or injury for immediate relief. Traditionally the finest quality Helichrysum for therapeutic use has been grown and distilled in Corsica!
LAVENDER speeds healing and stimulates cellular repair and regeneration and is excellent for all skin types. Application of lavender immediately soothes inflamed tissues. The highest quality Lavender oils are distilled at high altitudes.
TEA TREE is an immune stimulant. By stimulating the formation of white blood cells Tea Tree promotes and strengthens the body's immune system. Tea Tree is known as a cure all treatment for many chronic and acute bacterial, fungal and viral conditions. Traditionally the best Tea Tree is grown and distilled in Australia.
RECEARCHERS are continuing studies to learn if essential oils are effective against the super bug MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) among other strains of bacteria. In repeated tests combinations of Lavender and Tea Tree oil have been found to kill MRSA in laboratory cultures. Both Lavender and Tea Tree contain proven natural anti-bacterial ingredients that will soothe your skin while also providing protection and relief.
Remember it takes 1-4 cups or more of plant matter to make 1 single drop of pure essential oil, making essential oils an extremely high antioxidant source and an excellent free radical scavenger.
HEALING SALVE TREATMENT RECIPE (Makes about 2 ounces)
? CUP PURE LIGHT COCONUT OIL
1 TBSP (HEAPING) BEES WAX ? less makes your Healing Salve softer, more harder
15 drops Lavender
10 drops Helichrysum
5 drops Tea Tree
(30 DROPS PURE ESSENTIAL OILS TOTAL)
Optional: May add a few drops of vitamin E oil
Put the bees wax into the pure light coconut oil and heat in a large glass measuring cup that sits inside of a large pot that's been partially filled with water. Heat the pot of water on the stove until the bees wax melts.
Remove the measuring cup with melted beeswax and coconut oil from the pan. Cool slightly before adding your Essential Oils and optional Vitamin E oil. Gently stir the mixture with a sterile stainless steel spoon. Pour the Healing Salve into individual containers with lids and refrigerate.
You may affix your own personalized label to each container after the balm has completely set. Long shelf life, keeps almost indefinitely!
APPLICATION: Gently apply over your lips or other sensitive skin areas anytime. It won't cake or build up! Remember the herpes simplex virus which causes cold sore outbreaks is highly contagious so wash your hands before and after dipping into your container of Healing Salve and please do not share with others; keep it for your own personal use!
PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.
Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.
Both Jamie Clark & Nick Clipton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jamie Clark has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Credit Counseling and Lose Weight. Jamie Clark is a health researcher and writer who contributes to the FreshHealthyUseful.com blog. To learn more about be sure to visit. Jamie Clark's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Nick Clipton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Getting Pregnant and Teeth Whitening. If you would like to get rid of the problem of cold sores then just simply visit our site .There are lots of people who visit our site and get rid. Nick Clipton's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.