But what are canker sores, really? Not to be confused with cold sores, canker sores are ulcers that develop on the soft tissues inside the mouth or on your gums. They also aren’t contagious, which might be the only good thing about them. When you get a canker sore, your top priorities are reducing symptoms and trying to get it to heal as quickly as possible. Luckily, there are certain natural ingredients that can help with that. Tea tree oil is a great choice for this. According to Mariza Snyder, D.C., chiropractic doctor and author of the book The Essential Oil Hormone Solution, “Due to its antimicrobial activity, tea tree oil is a great remedy for healing a canker sore. Tea tree oil will immediately numb the pain and help kill any bacteria that might be in and around the sore.” Ingredients: Heat 2 cups of water on the stove until warm to the touch, then add sea salt and stir until fully dissolved. Pour into cup and add 2 drops of tea tree oil. Use as a mouth rinse at least a few times a day, making sure the solution comes into direct contact with the mouth ulcer. Swish between teeth and in mouth and then spit out into the sink (it’s not a good idea to take essential oils internally, as they can be extremely potent).
