Herbal Health Information on Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers may be just “mouth ulcers” or an indication of an underlying condition in the body. Never ignore them and think they will go away on their own.

Any viral infection or debility in the body will lead to a reduction of both vitamin C and zinc, resulting in a lowered immune system. A lowered immune system always finds the least point of resistance in the body and something will give.

If your mucous membranes (mouth/gut/bladder/lung linings) are your weak point then you may be prone to mouth ulcers.

Sometimes these are caused by a little spiral shaped bacteria called Vincent’s Angina and can be treated by antibiotics. But that may then cause a further reduction in the immune system and set up a cycle of infections with antibiotic treatment.

Boosting the immune system is very important to help the body defend itself from invading organisms.

Nutritionally it is important to take in large amounts of Vitamin C and Zinc.

Vitamin C is in most fruit and veg, but I have found the best source to be Limes.

Take a fresh lime, cut it in half and squeeze the juice out of one half into a glass.

Fill the glass with cold water and drink it down. A glass a day first thing in the morning will boost your Vitamin C levels. Obviously don’t stop eating other fruit and veg during the day as this will maintain your normal vitamin and mineral intake.

Zinc is fairly low in foods due to modern farming methods and is difficult to absorb. It is therefore essential to have an intake of Zinc daily. It is present in high amounts in Pumpkin seeds, oats, peas and shell fish, but I advise the easiest way of getting Zinc, is to eat about a handful of pumpkin seeds or a bowl of porridge daily. You can buy Pumpkin seeds in any health food shop and large supermarkets. Of course the rest of your diet should be a sensible balanced diet to ensure a good intake of other vitamins and minerals which Vitamin C and Zinc Metabolism (usage) will be dependant on in the body. Drink at least two pints of water a day to help clear out toxins.

Herbal medicine is used both internally and as a mouth wash for mouth ulcers.

Internally the traditional immune system boosting herb is Echinacea which stimulates the white blood cells in the blood which are responsible for removing foreign bodies and also producing antibodies to fight infections.

As a mouth wash there are three herbs I commonly use in my clinic and these are:-Myrrh (yes the baby Jesus one), Marigold and Sage.

Myrrh is antibacterial, antiviral, astringent (toning) and stimulates the white blood cells locally if used as a mouthwash. I always like to say that when the three kings gave Baby Jesus the gift of Myrrh, they were giving him the most precious gift of all and that was the gift of Health. I use it in tincture form, but also do keep the myrrh resin which can be chewed like chewing gum in small amounts.

Marigold and sage can be used together in equal amounts as a tincture to make a mouth wash.

Measure 2.5 mls *of a normal strength tincture of each into a glass, add about two fingers depth of cold water and use this as a mouth wash to gargle two to three times a day. Don’t spit it out, but swallow it so that it will continue to work internally.

Marigold is anti bacterial, antiviral, astringent and the best healer and strenghtener of damaged body tissue. Its Latin name is Calendula officinalis and the “officinalis” bit of the name means it was used by early apothecaries.

Sage is strongly antiseptic and also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Please do come and see me in my clinic if you need more help. The clinic details can be seen if you click here or on the “CLINIC” tab at the top of the page.

Linda Bostock

Medical Herbalist/Herbal Health Information

*FOOTNOTE:-

If you are buying a tincture over the counter or from the internet it is essential you understand the different strengths of tincture being sold.

They vary from very strong, called 1:1 which are prepared with one part of herb to one part of an alcohol and water mixture to 1:20 which is one part of herb to 20 parts of an alcohol and water mixture. A normal strength tincture is usually 1:5.