Evidence supporting the use of: Aloe vera
For the health condition: Canker Sores

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Aloe vera has been traditionally used for various skin and mucosal conditions due to its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. In recent years, its application for canker sores (aphthous ulcers) has received scientific attention. A number of randomized controlled trials and clinical studies have investigated the efficacy of topical aloe vera for this condition. The evidence suggests that aloe vera gel can help reduce pain, inflammation, and the size of canker sores, and may also accelerate the healing process.

A 2012 double-blind randomized clinical trial published in Dental Research Journal found that patients using topical aloe vera gel experienced significant improvement in ulcer size and pain compared to placebo. Another study in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine (2017) showed that aloe vera mouthwash was as effective as triamcinolone acetonide (a corticosteroid) in reducing ulcer size and pain intensity. The proposed mechanisms involve aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and wound-healing effects, likely due to compounds such as acemannan.

While these results are promising, the body of evidence remains moderate, with some studies limited by small sample sizes or methodological weaknesses. Therefore, aloe vera use for canker sores is supported by scientific evidence, but more large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy and safety profile definitively. Nevertheless, topical aloe vera presents as a low-risk, accessible adjunctive therapy for minor aphthous ulcers.

More about Aloe vera
More about Canker Sores

Other ingredients used for Canker Sores

Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Aloe vera
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Ardisia
Arisaema
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
avens
bacteria
bai ji
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bee propolis
bermuda grass
betel
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black galingale
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
bloodroot
blue flag
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borneol
boxthorne
buckthorn
bасора
cajuput
Calendula
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
carvacrol
Celosia
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese raisintree
chlorophyllin
chrysophanics
Cistus
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
Collinsonia
commiphora
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
corktree
cowherb
curcumin
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
Dianthus
divi-divi
dog rose
dragonhead
Eclipta
Embelia
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
eugenol
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
fang-feng
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
folate
frankincense
Fuchsia
Galangal
gallotannin
giant blazingstar
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Glycolic acid
Gnaphalium
Guava
Guazuma ulmifolia
heal-all
Helicteres isora
henna
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian kinotree
Indian nightshade
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
labrador tea
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
lime
Litsea
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
manzanita
marigold
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Matico
Melia
Menthol oil
Milk
Mineral ascorbate
Momordica
Morinda
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nardostachys
Neem tree
Nimbidin
nut grass
Nutmeg
Oak
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
Pansit-pansitan
papaya
Papayotin
Paris polyphylla
parsley
Patrinia
paw paw
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper
Peppermint
Petiveria
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Portulaca
Premna
Propolis
Prunus
Pyrrosia
Quisqualis
resin
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
rose
Rubus
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinapis arvensis
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smartweed
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spilanthes
spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tansy
Terpenoids
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Trichosanthes
Triphala
typhonium
Varuna
Viola
Violet
vitamin B12
vitamin C
Water Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by Aloe vera

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Age Spots
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cysts
Dandruff
Denture Sores
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diaper Rash
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Enteritis
Fever
Foot Odor
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Indigestion
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Interstitial Cystitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Oral Surgery
Overacidity
Poison Ivy or Oak
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Shingles
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Slivers
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Stretch Marks
Stye
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toothache
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Urethritis
Urinary Tract Infections
Urination (burning or painful)
Urine (scant)
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginitis
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles