Study Shows Licorice Root Effective for Canker Sores
If you are someone who gets occasional canker sores, then you know how painful they can be. Aphthous ulcers, otherwise more commonly known as canker sores, cause discomfort and pain and they may also cause swelling under the jaw, which may feel like a toothache. The results of a relatively new study indicate licorice root may be used to treat canker sores, and naturally reduce the pain they cause.
Canker Sores
Aphthous ulcers or canker sores usually start out as a place in your mouth that tingles or burns. Eventually, the place becomes a small bump in the mouth and then goes on to become an open sore. These open ulcers are typically painful and are classified as either major or minor canker sores based upon the ulcer’s size. While minor canker sores measure between 3-10mm big, major ulcers are greater than 10mm in size. Major canker sores may take over one month to heal and usually scar the mouth as they do so.
Causes
The exact cause of canker sores is not known, according to Wikipedia, but there are certain things that might trigger canker sores to occur. These include:
· Sudden weight loss
· Injury or trauma to the mouth, such as accidental biting, laceration with sharp foods, or toothbrush abrasions
· Stress
· Illness
· Fatigue
· Food allergies
· Deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron
· Sodium lauryl sulfate, the foaming agent found in some types of toothpaste
· Menstruation
· Some medications
· Hormonal changes
The lead author of the study I am going to discuss in this post, Michael Martin, DMD, Ph.D. also believes one is more susceptible to developing canker sores if both of their parents have a history of canker sores as well: “When both parents have a history of canker sores, the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90 percent.”
Licorice As A Treatment Option for Canker Sores
The researchers wanted to determine how effective a patch with licorice root was for treating canker sores compared to no treatment. They had some of the participants in the study wear an adhesive patch with licorice root on it in their mouths and others receiving no treatment for their ulcers for the duration of one week.
After one week, the canker sores in individuals who used the patches were significantly smaller in size compared to those who received no treatment. In fact, those who did not receive any treatment had a 13% increase in canker sore size. Additionally, after only three days of treatment with the adhesive patch containing licorice root, participants noticed a reduction in the amount of pain they felt from their canker sores.
This study indicates licorice root on an adhesive patch is a viable treatment choice for canker sores. Future research may look to replicate this discovery.
Sources:
Science Daily: Licorice Extract Provides New Treatment Option for Canker Sores
Wikipedia: Canker Sores
No time to comment, Nothing in particular to say?
To be notified by email when there are new blog entries, 
