What are the alternative treatment options for aphthous stomatitis?

You can ease the pain of canker sores (aphthous stomatitis) with natural remedies. Start by mixing hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water, then dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply it directly to the sore. Then apply magnesium hydroxide (better known as milk of magnesia) to the sore three or four times a day. That may ease the pain and may help healing. You also can make a mixture of one part milk of magnesia and one part liquid Benadryl (or a generic version with the active ingredient, diphenhydramine). Swish this in your mouth for about a minute and then spit it out; repeat every four to six hours. In one study, a topical ointment made from quercetin, an anti-inflammatory food ingredient, was shown to be effective in treating canker sores.

Since aphthous stomatitis (canker sore) appearances may be stress-related, relaxation training may help some people. Vitamin B, zinc, and folate may also help prevent outbreaks, especially in people who do not get adequate amounts of these supplements in their diet. Herbal compounds of deglycyrrhizinated licorice, alum, or slippery elm powder may also be helpful when placed on the sores.