Natural Health: My teenage son suffers from mouth ulcers 

Plus: natural ways of dealing with calluses

Pic: iStock

My 13-year-old son tends to get painful mouth ulcers, usually when he’s lacking in sleep. Is there a natural remedy he could use?

Mouth ulcers can make simple tasks such as eating, drinking, and speaking difficult. The lack of sleep will no doubt contribute to your son feeling generally run down, which may be why it triggers the ulcers.

It is critical that your son address the root cause by looking into ways to get enough quality sleep on a regular basis. Magnesium is an important mineral for sleep and helps with muscle cramping and nervous tension.

Magnesium levels tend to drop at night, with low magnesium often manifesting as poor REM sleep patterns and late-night leg cramps.

Your son can apply magnesium topically or take it internally. Topical magnesium is usually found in spray, gel, or cream form. Internally, he will need to take 300-350mg daily in the form of magnesium glycinate. Find a supplement that includes 3g of taurine for the best effect.

A simple topical remedy can be made using wheatgrass or barleygrass powder. Mix with a little water or pure aloe vera juice to make a paste and apply directly. You can also combine a teaspoon of this supergreen powder with water or aloe and have your son drink it twice daily, ensuring he swishes it in his mouth thoroughly before swallowing.

If you have access to freshly juiced wheatgrass or barleygrass, he can take 15-30ml of this daily. Again, he should thoroughly swish the juice before swallowing. Wild grasses and herbs naturally contain H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), essential to immune health.

Try a 3% H2O2 solution as a mouthwash for ulcers – either directly or diluted by half with water. It also helps with bacterial balance and prevents plaque build-up.

Hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced in humans to counteract unwanted bacteria, yeasts, and viruses, along with being essential in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins.

The soles of my feet are crusted with calluses. I use a pumice stone, but it doesn’t make any difference. What else would you recommend?

A simple method for removing calluses and hardened skin from the feet is to use a chiropody sponge. While the name suggests a soft texture, it is anything but. Chiropody sponges are manufactured to look similar to pumice stones but are far more effective.

The ‘sponge’ is designed to be used damp with soap. Its effectiveness is greatly improved when used on feet that have been soaked in water first to help soften the hardened skin.

Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for softening skin and reducing the incidence of corns and calluses.

If you have a foot bath or suitable tub to soak your feet in, add ½-1 cup of apple cider vinegar to the water to help soften and gently exfoliate the skin. Soak your feet for at least 10 minutes.

Using a balm or salve nightly will also help to soften and heal your feet. For best results, wear cotton socks over freshly soaked and prepared feet and leave the balm on overnight.

If you haven’t already, it would be wise to make an appointment with a podiatrist who can assist with callus removal and assess whether your gait or footwear contributes to the callus development.

Calluses can appear as a result of pressure in a specific area or areas, where the skin provides additional protection from friction and pressure by building a thicker surface. The type of footwear you choose is crucial to your foot health.

If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail]

NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.