Mouth Ulcers

Ulcers appear as small, superficial. red edged craters, white or yellow inside, almost always less than half a centimetre in diameter. Situated inside the cheeks, on or under the tongue, inside the lips or on the gums, they are very painful and troublesome. Mouth ulcers affect one in ten people at all ages in life. They can sometimes appear singly, are usually benign and, as a rule, last for six to ten days before disappearing without trace. So far, no conventional medical treatment has proved effective in preventing recurrence.

Care with food

The cause of the ulceration is not fully understood, but almonds, chewing gum, spices, strawberries, Gruyere cheese, honey, nuts, grapefruit, raisins, tobacco, and tomato skin are often responsible for its appearance.

Oligotherapy

Copper, gold, and silver the magic trio for the treatment of infection.

• You can take a copper/gold/silver combination as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  - Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):
- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

Magnesium, selenium

Trace elements are normally supplied in the diet, which should be varied and of good quality. When there is a deficiency, as is often the case with magnesium, the element can be given as a supplement.

Dietary sources of magnesium

Present in almost all foods, but unfortunately particularly in those rich in calories. Magnesium is found mainly in citrus fruits, bananas, whole cereals (oat flakes, bran...). cocoa and chocolate, shellfish (winkles, shrimps, oysters, clams. . .) and oily fish, snails, figs, hard cheeses, dried fruit and nuts (almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts...). vegetables (spinach, dried haricot and green beans, split peas, soya.. .), wholemeal bread.

Dietary sources of selenium

Found mainly in foods of animal origin: meat (liver, kidneys). sea fish (herring, tuna etc.), shellfish (oysters), eggs. It is also found in whole cereals, wheatgerm, brewer's yeast, brazil nuts, some vegetables (garlic, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms), but its concentration can vary considerably according to the type of soil.

In countries where a lot of fish is eaten (Japan, Venezuela, Sweden...) the supply of selenium is generally sufficient or more than enough.

• Magnesium and Selenium medications: there are many different forms and brands such as Organic Minerals(Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  - Available in 946ml bottles
  - Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):
- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach

A preventive treatment could consist of one dose of selenium taken in the morning, one dose of magnesium in the afternoon, and one dose of copper/gold/silver morning and evening for a month. All these would be found in a colloidal supplement taken daily as recommended.

Homeopathy

Borax, Mercurius corrosivus

Borax

- Chemical origin: sodium borate
- Homeopathic remedy for mouth ulcers

Mercurius corrosivus

- Chemical origin: mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate
- Homeopathic remedy for ulceration in the mouth

You can take Lehning@ Agnus cactus Complex 2, which contains Apis 4x, Mercurius corrosivus 4x, Belladonna 4x...

- Available in 30ml bottles of oral drops
- Fifteen drops to be taken in a little water three or four times a day

Herbal treatment

Echinacea, marigold

Possible Prescription: Ask your herbalist for a 30ml bottle of a mother tincture of echinacea, for its antiseptic role. Take 25 drops (for an adult) in a little water, three times a day for some days.

• You could also ask your herbalist to prepare a 30ml bottle of a mother tincture of marigold. Pour 15 drops into half a glass of warm boiled water and use it as a mouthwash three or four times a day.

Echinacea

Echinacea, or coneflower, is native to North America, and known by the Native American tribes for its great antiseptic properties. It stimulates the immune defences and has antibacterial and antiviral activity.

Marigold

Marigold (Calendula officinalis), originally native to Egypt, is used for its antiseptic, wound healing, and depurative properties. It is the remedy par excellence for all cuts - 'a great plant for little skin problems'.

• You can take Echinaforce (Bioforce), a tincture of Echinacea purpurea:
  - Available in 50ml and 100ml bottles of oral drops
  - Fifteen drops to be taken in a little water, three times a day by adults, seven drops three times a day by children (6-12 years old).