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Old-Fashioned Home Remedy Eases Pain of Canker Sores

Baking soda in a glass of water is one reader's remedy for canker sores.

Q. You recently addressed a question about canker sores. The suggestions seemed mostly to be long-term dietary change or supplements.

I occasionally get a canker sore, especially if I’ve eaten too many sweets. For the past 75 years I’ve always gotten immediate relief within 24 hours by taking one tablespoon of baking soda with a glass of warm water, just like my grandmother taught me. One dose does the job.

A. A tablespoon of baking soda contains a lot of sodium, so this remedy won’t be appropriate for everyone. The “dose” recommended on the box for heartburn is a half teaspoon of baking soda in a 4 oz. glass of water. We would suggest starting with a lower amount than a tablespoon to see if it helps.

We appreciate remedies passed down from grandmothers.

Other possible approaches to mouth ulcers include eating fresh kiwi fruit or drinking buttermilk. One reader offered this:

“Swish your mouth twice a day with two tablespoons of buttermilk. If you don’t like the taste, spit it out. Enough friendly bacteria will stay to take care of canker sores. They will disappear in a few days.”

You will find many other home remedies for canker sores (mouth ulcers) in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.

Redirected 5/18/17 to https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/remedies-to-conquer-canker-sores/

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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