Remedies to Treat Canker Sores at Home - Canker Sores

Just because you're not going to a doctor doesn't mean you can't treat it yourself with some homeopathic and organic remedies. Something as simple as rinsing with warm salt water can make canker sores feel better. A rinse of hydrogen peroxide and water will also help kill the bacteria that cause the canker sore as well as help the pain; use it several times a day to speed healing. The tannin in black tea can help too; it's even found in several over-the-counter canker sore remedies. Just wet a tea bag thoroughly, and hold it against the canker sore; again, do this several times a day. Rinsing with a distillation of calendula may also help the pain.

You might try a paste of alum, a spice you can get at the grocery store and probably already have if you cook much, mixed with slippery elm powder and deglycyrrhizinated licorice. Mix them in equal parts and apply directly to the canker sore. The paste should cover the sore and help keep bacteria away, while helping the canker sore to heal at the same time.

If you often get painful burning canker sores when you're run down and stressed, you may want to try using arsenicum album. Make a paste and apply directly to the canker sores. You might also want to try drinking hot herbal tea when you have this type of sore, or if you're this kind of person.

Borax, an alkiline substance, can be used if your canker sores feel hot and sensitive. Acidic foods like pineapple and citrus fruits irritate canker sores, and the borax can help to counteract the acidity in your mouth.