Aphthous Stomatitis

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

• Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity, especially wheat (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

• Vitamin C: 1 - 3 gm.
• Vitamin B12: 1,000 - 3,000 mcg. daily to weekly (if deficient)
• Folate: 2 mg. if deficient
• Zinc: 30 mg.
• *Copper: 2 - 4 mg.
• Iron: if deficient

Supplements: (references)

• *Hydrochloric Acid: 10 - 70 grains per meal (if hypochlorhydric)
• Quercetin: 250 mg. TID (between meals)
• Lysine: 500 - 2000 mg. (if viral/herpetic - reduce dosage after improvement)
• Acidophilis and Bifidus: apply topically to ulcer during initial stage

Botanicals: (references)

• Mouthwash - *Calendula officinalis, *Symphytum officinale, *Commiphora molmol, *Berberis vulgaris, *Hamamelis virginiana, *Baptisia tintoria, *Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, *Sanguinaria, *Thuja plicata, *Melaleuca alternifolia: rinse and expel

• Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:
  Baptisia tintoria (Wild indigo)
  Berberis vulgaris (Barberry, Oregon grape)
  Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
  Commiphora molmol (Myrrh)
  Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel)
  Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
  Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree)
  Salvia officinalis (Sage)
  Sanguinaria canadensia (Blood root)
  Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
  Thuja plicata (Western cedar)
  Zanthoxylum clava-herculis (Southern prickly ash)

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

• General aphthous stomatitis (ulcer):
  
  acet-ac, aeth, agar, all-s, alum, anan, ant-c, apis, arg-m, ARS, ars-i, arum-t, asim, aur, aur-m, aur-s, BAPT, berb, BOR, brom, bry, calc, anth, caps, carb-ac, carb-an, carb-s, carb-v, caul, cean, cham, chin, chin-a, chlor, cic, clem, cocc, com, cub, dig, dulc, ferr, gamb, hell, hep, hippoz, hydr, ill, iod, ip, jug-c, kali-ar, kali-bi, kali-br, kali-c, KALI-CHI, kali-i, kali-m, kali-s, kreos, lac-c, lac-d, lach, lac-ac, lyc, mag-c, MERC, MERC-C, merc-d, MUR-AC, myric, nat-a, nat-c, nat-h, NAT-M, nat-p, nit-ac, nux-m, NUX-V, ox-ac, petr, phos, phyt, plan, plb, ran-s, rhus-t, sal-ac, sanic, sars, sec, semp, sil, staph, SUL-AC, SULPH, ter, thuj, tub, vine
• Aphthous stomatitis, bleeds easily:
  
  BOR, lac-c, sul-ac
• Aphthous stomatitis, bloody, offensive:
  
  sul-ac
• Aphthous stomatitis, bluish:
  
  ARS
• Aphthous stomatitis, burning:
  
  chin-a, nat-m, sulph
• Aphthous stomatitis, in children:
  
  asim, bapt, BOR, bry, casc, kali-br, kali-chi, lac-ac, med, MERC, NAT-M, mur-ac, nux-m, nux-v, plan, sac-alb, SUL-AC, sulph, viol-t
• Aphthous stomatitis, in babies:
  
  bor, bry, calc, merc
• Aphthous stomatitis, after sour, salty foor:
  
  bor
• Aphthous stomatitis, white:
  
  ars, bor, sul-ac
• Aphthous stomatitis, yellowish base:
  
  staph

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

• *Camphor oil topically
• Replace mercury amalgam fillings
• *Alum powder or baking soda topically
• Stress reduction and relaxation/imagery training

Recommended Labs:

• Rule out food allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody
• Rule out Helicobacter pylori: H. pylori Antibody, H. pylori Antigen, H. pylori Breath, Rapid Urease, Endoscopy with Biopsy
• Rule out pancreatic insufficiency: Lipase, Amylase
• Rule out stomach acid problems: Heidelberg

*  The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).