How to Treat Mouth Sores with Herbs

Mouth sores show up as small white spots on your tongue or the inside of your cheek. Viral infections, inadequate Vitamin B12 and consuming acidic food can cause them. Some mouth sores can bug you for a week until they go away. There are several ways to soothe them and make them disappear faster.

Instructions

1. Gargle your canker away. Make calendula or golden seal tea to help sores heal. Add two teaspoons of calendula or golden seal to boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain to remove the herb remnants. Use the mixture as a mouthwash 3 to 4 times a day.

2. Take bilberry in capsule form. You may only associate bilberry with improving eyesight, but it's an astringent that draws tissue together. It's been used to treat mouth sores for thousands of years.

3. Drink blackberry leaf tea. It's an astringent that may sooth sore throats and mouth sores.

4. Rose petals can be made into an astringent tea to help canker sores. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried chopped rose hips per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give blackberry leaf tea to children under 2.

• Give older children and senior citizens low-strength blackberry leaf tea to start. Build up to a stronger tea if necessary.

Resources

• Purchase rose hips, bilberry and blackberry here.