I am sure near enough everyone has had a mouth ulcer at some point or another in their lives. They can be incredibly painful, especially when eating and drinking, and the time they last is usually around 7-10 days.
The treatment that most people opt for is to go and buy some OTC ( over the counter) medicine that helps to clear the ulcer and reduce the chance of infection.
However what many people do not realize is that there are many things that you can do at home, called home remedies, that do the exact same thing, but are perhaps better for your health and your wallet.
Mouth ulcers can be caused by many things, some simple and some things more worse, but it is worth remembering that home remedies for mouth ulcers will only help in treating the ulcers and not the underlying cause, so always consult a doctor for advice if in any doubt.
So bearing that in mind, here are 5 helpful home remedies for mouth ulcers.
Basil: Gargle warm water with basil leaves twice a day. This not only helps in treating the ulcers but can hold off the bad breath associated with mouth ulcers sometimes. Applying basil leaves paste on the affected area is also very effective. You can also chew basil leaves during the course of the day.
Onion: Try and eat a fair amount of raw salad, preferably onions. The reason why onion is the better option is because they contain lots of sulfur. You can directly eat raw onions and can also add onions to other food preparations.
Peppermint oil: It is an anesthetic agent. Dab some peppermint oil on the affected area – this will take away some of the irritation and pain caused by the mouth ulcers. But some studies say that peppermint oil can be good if used in small doses and it can create adverse effects if used in large quantities. It’s better to try slowly to find out whether it works for you.
Coconut milk: Gargle with coconut milk four or five times a day. It helps in healing faster. A few spoons of honey can also be added to coconut milk for better results.
Orange juice: Remember to drink orange juice regularly as Vitamin C deficiency can cause mouth ulcers. Drinking one or two glasses a day is sufficient. If you don’t like oranges then you can directly take Vitamin C pills instead.
I think that once you find a method that helps you, you will always remember it and pass it on to the people around you. If they don’t work for you then you never have to try them again, but home remedies are becoming more popular because of their effective performance.