Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Canker Sores
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Zinc has been investigated as a treatment for canker sores (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, RAS) with some scientific interest, though the evidence is limited and mixed. Zinc plays a role in immune function and mucosal integrity, and deficiencies have been associated with increased frequency of oral ulcers in some studies. Several small clinical trials have explored the use of zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate supplements and topical preparations in reducing the frequency, duration, or severity of canker sores. Some studies report modest benefits—such as faster healing or longer intervals between outbreaks—especially in individuals who are zinc deficient. For example, a 2017 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that oral zinc sulfate supplementation led to a significant reduction in the number and duration of ulcers compared to placebo. However, other studies have found no significant benefit, and most research is limited by small sample sizes and short follow-up periods.
Systematic reviews generally conclude that zinc may be helpful in certain cases, particularly where deficiency is present, but that the overall quality of evidence is low. Zinc is not universally recommended as a first-line treatment for canker sores, but it is sometimes used as an adjunct or in cases of suspected deficiency. In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence supporting the use of zinc for canker sores, the evidence is not robust, and further large-scale studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.
Other ingredients used for Canker Sores
AcaciaAcemannan
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 Zinc
AbrasionsAcne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Premature Ejaculation
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Candida Clear
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Men's Formula (With Lycopene)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Target TS-II Formula
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Support
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave
Nature's Sunshine Yeast/Fungal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
