Home remedies for cold sores, such as hydrogen peroxide solution, clove tea or myrrh tincture, for example, can be used in the form of mouthwashes, as they have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial effects, which help to relieve canker sore symptoms such as pain, swelling or redness.
Cold sore, also known as aphthous stomatitis, causes painful ulcers in the mouth, which have a round or oval shape and can, in more severe cases, even make eating or drinking difficult, and is generally caused by stress, hormonal changes or of the immune system, for example. See other causes of canker sores.
Home remedies are a good natural option for canker sores, and although they cannot replace medical treatment, they can be used to relieve canker sore symptoms more quickly.
Some home remedy options for cold sores are:
1. Warm water and sea salt solution
A solution of warm water with sea salt is a good option for a home remedy for cold sores, as salt water helps to heal and soothe inflamed mouth mucous membranes, relieve pain, as well as being a natural antiseptic.
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt;
- 1 glass of warm water.
Preparation mode
Add the sea salt to the glass of warm water and mix with a spoon. Rinse your mouth, swishing for 20 to 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit out the solution then.
It is recommended to use the warm salt water solution for a maximum of one week, as using it for longer can damage tooth enamel, as it is an acidic solution.
2. Clove tea
Clove tea helps to reduce pain and inflammation caused by canker sores as it has eugenol in its composition with analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, making it a good option for a home remedy for canker sores.
Ingredients
- 10 units of cloves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Put the cloves and water to boil for 5 minutes and cover. Wait for it to cool, strain and swish for 20 to 30 seconds, twice a day. Spit out the tea afterwards.
3. Licorice Extract
Licorice extract, when applied directly to canker sores, helps them heal and heal, as it has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Ingredients
- 15 to 30 drops of licorice extract;
- 1 glass of warm water.
Preparation mode
Add the drops of licorice extract to warm water and swish for a few seconds. The treatment must be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.
Another option is to drip 3 or 4 drops of licorice extract directly onto the cold sore.
4. Sage tea
Sage tea helps to reduce cold sore symptoms such as swelling, pain or even bleeding as it contains cineole and camphor with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, in addition to having an astringent action, making it a good home remedy option for cold sore.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of fresh sage or 1 tablespoon of dried sage;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the sage to the cup of boiling water, cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain and rinse for 20 to 30 seconds. Spit then. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
5. Propolis extract
Propolis extract, as it has healing, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action, can be used to treat, disinfect and cure canker sores. Furthermore, this remedy has a powerful regenerating effect on the skin, helping with tissue recovery.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Apply 1 or 2 drops to the cold sore or wound to be treated, 4 to 5 times a day.
Propolis extract should not be used by people who are allergic to propolis, pollen or honey.
6. Bee honey
Bee honey is an excellent option for treating canker sores caused by aphthous stomatitis, as it is a powerful antiseptic, helping to soften and hydrate the skin, which relieves discomfort.
Ingredients
- Organic bee honey.
Preparation mode
Apply a small amount of organic bee honey directly to the cold sore, repeating this application several times a day whenever you feel discomfort or find it necessary.
Furthermore, in combination with honey, dry cloves can also be used and can be sucked throughout the day to fight germs and help with the healing of canker sores and wounds.
Honey should not be used by people who are allergic to honey, propolis or pollen.
7. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol and menthone, with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help fight cold sores. Additionally, this essential oil helps reduce pain and keep your breath fresh.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation mode
Add the drops of peppermint essential oil to the glass of water and mix. Swish your mouth for 30 to 40 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit then.
8. Tincture of myrrh
Myrrh tincture is also a great home remedy option for canker sores or mouth sores, as it has antiseptic and antimicrobial action, due to the tannins present in its composition, which help reduce inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes.
This tincture should only be used for mouthwash and should not be ingested.
Ingredients
- 20 g of myrrh resin;
- 100 mL of 70% alcohol.
Preparation mode
Grind the myrrh resin and place it in a clean, dry glass jar covered with aluminum foil. Add the alcohol and let it sit for 10 days, shaking frequently. After this period, you can use 5 to 10 drops of myrrh tincture in a glass of water to rinse your mouth, 2 to 3 times a day. Do not ingest.
9. Hydrogen peroxide solution
The hydrogen peroxide solution has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action, helping to eliminate the bacteria that cause canker sores, reducing pain, redness and swelling, making it another good home remedy option for canker sores.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide 10 volumes;
- ½ cup of water.
Preparation mode
Add hydrogen peroxide to the cup with water and mix. Swish your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit. This hydrogen peroxide solution can be used for 2 to 3 days.
It is not necessary to rinse your mouth with water after using the hydrogen peroxide solution, but if you don’t like the taste in your mouth, you can do so.
10. Hydraste tea
Hydraste tea, made from the medicinal plant Hydrastis canadensis L., has anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic properties, which help to calm irritation in the mucous membranes and combat inflammation caused by cold sores.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of hydraste root powder;
- 250 mL of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the powdered hydraste to the boiling water, mix, cover and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Strain the tea through a coffee filter to remove all particles of hydraste powder. Then, wait for the hydraste tea to become warm and swish it around for about 1 minute and then spit out the tea. Hydraste tea can be used up to 3 times a day.
11. Black tea
Black tea is rich in tannins, with astringent properties, which help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of canker sores, and speed up recovery, making it a good option for a home remedy for canker sores.
Ingredients
- 1 bag of black tea;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Bring the water to a boil and then add it to the cup. Place the black tea bag in the cup of boiling water and wait for it to cool. Then, place the black tea bag directly on the cold sore, leaving it to act for a few minutes. Discard the tea and black tea bag. This procedure can be repeated 2 to 3 times a day.
12. Agrimony tea
Agrimony tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Agrimônia eupatoriahas anti-inflammatory properties that help fight canker sores, relieving pain and discomfort.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried agrimony flowers;
- 250 mL of water.
Preparation mode
Bring the water to a boil and when it is boiling, turn off the heat and add the dried agrimony flowers. Let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes, strain and let it cool. Rinse your mouth with agrimony tea 2 to 3 times a day.
13. Bay essential oil
Laurel essential oil has eugenol and cineole in its composition, with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of canker sores and accelerate the healing of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Bay essential oil should only be used on the cold sore and should not be ingested.
Ingredients
- 1 drop of bay essential oil;
- 10 mL of coconut oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and, using a cotton swab, apply to the cold sore 3 to 4 times a day.
Bay essential oil should not be used by children, breastfeeding women or during pregnancy.
Watch the following video with other tips for curing canker sores:
