Home Remedies for Burning Tongue
Home remedies for burning tongue include glycerin, ice cubes, sugar free gum, baking soda, nutritional diet, triphala and babool decoctions, honey, herbal juices, Echinacea, lavender oil, papaya, aloevera, black tea, Tabasco sauce, apple, etc. Burning tongue is a syndrome in which the person has a burning sensation in the mouth. The pain spreads to the tongue, lips, the inner part of the cheeks and almost, all over the mouth. It may be caused due to some nutritional deficiency, but, most often, the cause of this syndrome is unknown. The symptoms are burning sensation all over the mouth, dryness and sourness of the mouth, an increase in thirst, loss of taste and so on. The intake of proper diet and some home remedies can be followed to overcome this syndrome.
Burning tongue is a syndrome characterized by a continuous burning sensation in the tongue and mouth. The pain may be acute or exist for several days. However, the lining of the mouth appears clinically normal. It is also known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS), scalding mouth syndrome, glossodynia, oral galvanism, stomatodynia and stomatopyrosis. Dr.Rogers, professor of dermatology at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn says that it affects women (post menopausal women) more frequently than men, especially in the middle age. This seems to be a common problem seen all over the world.
Some Common Causes:
According to Mayoclinic, burning tongue may occur due to yeast infection in the mouth, medication, nutritional deficiency (e.g. vitamin B12, zinc, iron, niacin, etc), intake of spicy food, hormonal imbalance during menopause, allergies, reflux of stomach acid, nerve damage, diabetes, blood abnormalities like anemia, a common skin rash in the mouth called lichen planus, dental disease, tobacco use, bad oral habits like over use of mouthwashes and over brushing of tongue, endocrine disorders, etc. Basically, consumption of very hot food also causes burning tongue. It may also be related to the production of toxic free radicals released during the stress condition. Upper respiratory tract infection may also lead to burning tongue.
Pain often exists throughout the day, but not in the night. In severe cases, the dentist may prescribe a steroid such as prednisone.
Symptoms:
As told by Dr. Miriam grushka, William Osler health center, Connecticut, the following symptoms are attributed to occur due to this disorder:
• Burning sensation of the whole mouth
• Sourness and dryness of the mouth
• Numbness on the tip of the tongue
• Increase in thirst
• Difficulty in eating
• Metallic or bitter taste
• Complete loss of taste
• Anxiety and depression
Some of the most useful and easy home remedies for the treatment and cure of constipation are listed below:
• Glycerin: Applying glycerin over the tongue can reduce the burning sensation.
• Ice Cubes: Application of ice cubes over the burning areas may reduce the pain in those areas.
• Sugar Free Gum: Chewing of a sugar free gum can temporarily relieve the burning sensation.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda can be used for brushing the teeth, instead of commercial toothpaste.
• Nutritional Diet: Iron rich food like dates, bran flakes, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, etc can be taken. Also, diet with leafy vegetables, juices, food rich in vitamins B1, B2, B12, zinc, etc can reduce the burning sensation.
• Triphala And Babool Decoctions: Gargling with decoction prepared of the ayurvedic herb, triphala is a good home remedy for burning tongue. This is said to be cooling for the tongue.
• Honey: Honey can be applied over the tongue like an ointment. It helps in reducing the inflammation.
• Herbal juices: If the burning tongue syndrome is attributed to deficiency of gastric acids in the stomach, then the intake of juices of herbs like dandelion, worm wood, plantain, black radish, nettle, etc can cure this syndrome.
• Echinacea: About 20 drops of the herb, Echinacea, can be taken as a remedy for burning tongue.
• Lavender Oil: Lavender oil can be applied over the burned tongue using cotton dabs to reduce the pain and promote rapid healing.
• Papaya: Eating papaya can heal the burns with its enzymes that can rejuvenate the burnt skin.
• Aloe Vera: Applying aloe vera gel over the burning tongue, twice or thrice a day can relieve the burning sensation.
• Black tea: The cool extracts of black tea can be applied over the burning tongue. The extracts can be collected by soaking 2-3 tea bags in a cup of water and boiling them. Tannic acid present in the tea, absorbs the heat, cools and soothes the burn.
• Tabasco sauce: A mouth rinse with water and a few drops of Tabasco sauce can relieve the pain in the tongue. A chemical known as capsaicin present in the Tabasco sauce depletes a pain signalling chemical in the nerve cells.
• Apple: Rinsing the mouth with cold apple juice can cool the burning tongue.
Also, drinking a plenty of water can absorb the heat in the burning area and relieve the burning sensation. Intake of hot and spicy food should be avoided. If the pain exists, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.
This article is contributed by Seema Adnani.
References: Dr.Rogers, professor of dermatology at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn, Mayoclinic, Dr. Miriam grushka, William Osler health center, Connecticut
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