If you suffer from painful mouth sores, aloe vera is a canker sore treatment worth trying. In addition to treating those nasty and painful ulcers found inside the mouth, it is a superb therapy for many kinds of skin problems and you can use it both externally and internally.

Benefits

Since it is a succulent, aloe vera has a high water content, but it also contains hundreds of active plant compounds known as phytochemicals, as well as a multitude of vitamins, enzymes, salacylic acid, amino acids, minerals, lignans, sugars and fatty acids. This makes the plant a powerful natural medicine with many uses.

Aloe vera has long been used in both folk and alternative medicine. The plant is well-researched; there are numerous studies pointing to its many benefits. Common applications include inhibiting bacteria growth as well as anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Some people drink aloe vera juice for its digestive benefits, while others apply the gel to the skin, as it is a excellent moisturizer. It has been a favorite of the cosmetic industry since the 1970s. Companies frequently use aloe in both cosmetics and skin treatments for its therapeutic characteristics and its ability to moisturize skin and sooth irritation.

Another very popular application is for treating sunburns. Not only is it cooling, it can help reduce the pain and hot feeling. Sufferers of frequent aphthous ulcers may find that using the gel mixed with water as a mouthwash may aid in pain relief and discomfort. In addition to being a soothing canker sore treatment it is often used to treat abrasions and burns and relieve bee stings and insect bites.

Where to Get It

Ideally, growing a plant yourself is the best way to go. It’s easy to grow either directly in the ground or planted in a container, and aloe can grow just about anywhere. Having a plant handy makes it a snap to use for the occasional burn or to treat the pain of a canker sore. Merely cut off a leaf, slice it open and press out the gel. If you don’t have a plant of your own, it should be easy to find in your local health food store. Take care, though, to buy a gel that is 100 % pure because some of them contain chemical preservatives or artificial additives and you certainly don’t want to use those inside your mouth. Read the label carefully and make sure you get the most pure product possible, organic if available.

How to Treat Canker Sores

Using a cotton swab, dab a little gel directly on your mouth ulcer as often as you like. It will feel cool and soothing. Should you have a canker sore on the roof of your mouth, tongue or gum area, aloe vera can be used as a mouth rinse. Mix it with a little water and swirl it around your mouth several times a day. This is an excellent way to treat canker sores to promote swift healing. The gel will nurture your oral tissues and help prevent your ulcers from getting infected, and it will just plain make your mouth feel better.