Stomatitis (Mouth Sores) - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Inflammation of the mouth is known as Stomatitis. It may be caused by poor oral hygiene, burns due to hot fluid or food intake, medications, allergic reactions, or infections. While the cause of recurrent apthous stomatitis (canker sores) is not known, nutritional deficiencies are believed to play an important role. The management of stomatitis depends upon the cause responsible for the disease.

Stomatitis is known as "Mukhpak" in Ayurveda. The standard Ayurvedic treatment for stomatitis is as follows. A decoction of Triphala (Three fruits), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Manuka (dried grapes), and Jai (Jasminum auriculatum) leaves, combined with honey, is used for mouthwash. Cold water mixed with honey, or a decoction of Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) and alum is also used as a mouthwash. Jatyadi oil, or Kamdudha mixed with cream is used for local application on the sores. Khadiradi vati is used for sucking. Mild purgation is advised. In patients having recurrent stomatitis, blood letting is advised.

In Ayurveda, stomatitis is divided into five different types, depending upon the disturbed Dosha causing the symptoms. A small description of each type along with the specific treatment is given below.

In the "Vataja" type of stomatitis, there is severe pain, fissuring of the tongue, and intolerance of cold food stuff. Panchlavan (five salts), and medicated oils are used for local application. Herbal medicines useful here are: Arjun ( Terminalia arjuna), Erand (Ricinus communis), Khadir (Acacia catechu), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Shilajit (Bitumen).

In the "Pittaja" type, there is severe burning, redness, and a bitter taste in the mouth. Induced purgation is advised in this type. Sugarcane juice, milk, grape juice and glucose water are used as a mouthwash. Dhatki (Woodfordia fruticosa) leaves are advised to be chewed. The same treatment, along with blood letting, is advised in the "Raktaja" type, where all symptoms are more pronounced.

In the "Kaphaja" type, there is comparatively less pain. The mouth ulcers are not very red, and are sticky. There is more of salivation, and a slight itching in the affected parts. Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), salts and Kshars (medicated caustics) are used for local application. Decoctions of Palash (Butea monosperma) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), mixed with Kshar are used as a mouthwash.

In the last type of stomatitis called "Sannipataja", there is a combination of symptoms of the vataja, pittaja and kaphaja types. Treatment is given according to the predominant symptoms. An Ayurvedic formulation containing Gorochan, Kasis, Alum, Rasanjan, Mocharasa (Salmalia malabarica) and honey is used for local application.

With the above treatment, most patients having only local symptoms get cured within a few days. For canker sore which are recurrent, or any stomatitis with very severe symptoms, a more prolonged treatment is usually required. In addition, patients may require oral treatment with herbal medicines, to correct imbalances in the body.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 22 years and clinical research experience of 9 years. He has published his findings of herbal treatment of HIV / AIDS in 55 patients in the Bombay Hospital Journal, Mumbai, India, July 2005 issue.

He has also successfully completed a clinical trial of herbal extract medicines in Schizophrenia compared to modern anti-psychotics, in 200 patients. He has also conducted preliminary studies of Ayurvedic herbal extracts in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental Retardation, Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction, Age Related Macular Degeneration and different types of Cancer.