Aloe Vera May Soothe Your Canker Sores

One of my favorite canker sore treatments is aloe vera. Actually, its an outstanding treatment for skin disorders of most kinds and is safe to take internally too. Plus, it's also easy to find and economical. Many people already have an aloe vera plant right in their own backyard; if not, you should consider getting one. They are easy to grow and don't require a lot of care. The biggest bonus is that it's a handy, all-in-one first-aid shop.

Recognized as the "first aid plant," aloe is well researched. It is a succulent plant that most likely hails from North Africa. There are in excess of five hundred species of the plant and it thrives around the world. It is common in herbal and natural medicine and has been utilized topically for countless years. Believe it or not, the ancient Greeks and Spaniards widely used the plant for years and ancient Egyptians recorded using the gel for treatment of infections and burns -- and canker sores can certainly burn and sting.

Aloe vera is comprised of 99% water and 1% "everything else." Yet it's that tiny one percent that provides an impressive punch. There are several hundred materials found in the plant underneath the general categories of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, saponins, salacylic acid, lignans and anthraquinons. There are also around 200 active plant compounds (phytonutrients) including enzymes, polysaccharides and many others.

At least two hundred scientific studies document aloe vera's many uses. Aloe vera has been observed to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-fungal properties and is well-known and used for its ability to soothe and heal. It is often found in cosmetics and organic skin care treatments and might help lessen inflammation - and with a canker sore you often have plenty of inflammation and pain. It is commonly used to sooth sunburns and has been known to reduce pain pretty quickly. It can be applied topically, for instance, swabbed straight on a canker sore, or utilized as a mouth wash. The gel is like an all-in-one first-aid kit and besides being a great canker sore treatment it can help treat scrapes, burns and sunburns, take the ouch out of stings and insect bites and help heal cuts and wounds.

Growing a plant yourself is the best means to ensure you always have it on hand. It's straightforward to grow and you may either plant it in the ground or in a container. It is great to have a plant available to help alleviate the discomfort of a burn not to mention a canker sore. Just break off a leaf, cut it open and squeeze out the gel. If you don't have a plant, your local health food store should carry aloe vera gel. Caution: some aloe gels contain chemical preservatives or additives and in my experience they may actually cause stinging when applied to a canker sore. Therefore, be sure you buy a product that is all-natural without these extra ingredients.

The easiest way to treat your canker sore is to put the gel right on your ulcer using a cotton swab and repeat as often as you like. In the event that you have a canker sore on your tongue or gum, aloe vera can make a very good mouth rinse. Simply swirl the liquid around your mouth and you will be coating your gums and tongue, as well as the rest of your mouth, with calming, cooling relief. Do it again as required.This is a terrific canker sore treatment to trigger swift healing as well as to take away the pain. As an added benefit, as it nourishes the tissues of your mouth the gel will help discourage your ulcer from getting infected.