Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines for Burning Mouth Syndrome; Causes and its Treatment

Burning mouth syndrome refers to a condition in which there is burning sensation in the mouth. It mainly affects the tongue but can also occur on the lips, gums, roof of the mouth or inside the cheeks or in some cases the entire mouth. Such sensation can occur immediately after waking up in the morning and remain for the whole day. In some cases, burning sensation may not be felt in the morning but that’s when it starts, and keeps worsening as the day progresses. This syndrome can occur suddenly or gradually over time. The intensity of the symptoms can be from mild to severe. The symptoms may remain constant or may come and go. Some other symptoms can be an accompanying factor. These include changes in taste like bitter taste, metallic taste, or sometimes loss of taste, dryness in the mouth, and tingling/stinging sensation in mouth.

Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for such cases. These medicines help in gradually reducing the burning sensation. Besides, they work wonderfully in managing any associated symptoms like change in taste, dryness of mouth, pain and stinging sensation in the mouth. Homeopathy helps magnificently in reducing burning sensation in the mouth and other symptoms by targeting the root cause. It follows curative approach rather than suppressing the symptoms and brings about long-term improvement in such cases.

Homeopathy prescribes medicines for cases of burning mouth syndrome as per the law of individualisation or what is called unique and distinct symptoms on a case to case basis. This means that the most suitable homeopathic medicine for treating such cases is administered after detailed analysis in every individual based on the peculiar characteristic symptoms. This individualised medication treats the case as a whole in totality. As the treatment is individualised, the medicines varies on a case to case basis. Thus it is advised to take any homeopathic medicine for burning mouth syndrome after consulting a homeopathic physician only.

Homeopathy treats burning mouth syndrome by treating the associated causes behind it. It effectively treats the underlying causes behind the burning mouth syndrome like oral lichen planus, fungal infection, geographical tongue, food allergies. Once the root cause is addressed, the disease gets treated on a long term basis rather than just a temporary relief. Homeopathy is recommended for treating both acute as well as chronic cases of burning mouth syndrome.

The best part of using homeopathic medicines is that they work in the most natural way to treat the condition and there are no side-effects. This is due to the fact that these medicines are prepared from natural substances that have no presence of chemicals or toxins.

Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines For Burning Mouth Syndrome

The topmost homeopathic medicines for managing cases of burning mouth syndrome are Arsenic Album, Merc Sol, Iris Versicolor, Arum Triphyllum, Belladonna, Apis Mellifica, Nitric Acid and Natrum Mur.

1. Arsenic Album – Top Remedy

Arsenic Album is the most recommended medicine to manage cases of burning sensation in the mouth. Those who need it have marked burning especially on the tongue. It is accompanied by bitter or sour taste in the mouth. The tongue feels dry with excessive thirst. The tongue appears white like chalk.

When to use Arsenic Album?

Arsenic Album is a very effective medicine for managing burning sensation in the mouth accompanied by bitter or sour taste in mouth.

How to use Arsenic Album?

Among its various available potencies, the most frequently used is 30C potency. In the beginning, Arsenic Album 30C can be taken once a day.

2. Merc Sol – For Burning in Mouth With Metallic Taste

Merc Sol is an effective medicine for burning sensation in the mouth along with a feeling of metallic taste. Besides the burning sensation, the tongue goes dry and red with dark spots. The tongue is also swollen along with pain. Pricking type of pain is felt on the tongue. Applying pressure on the tongue with fingers is painful. Ulcers or cracks may also be present. There is foul breath. Fungal infection in mouth may be present.

When to use Merc Sol?

Merc Sol is a beneficial medicine to manage burning sensation in the mouth accompanied by metallic taste.

How to use Merc Sol?

Merc Sol can be used in both low and high potencies. However it is suggested to start with low potency like 30C once a day.

3. Iris Versicolor – With Burning Like Fire

This medicine is of great use in cases the burning sensation is felt in the mouth as if from fire. There may be loss of taste. Tongue turns white, as if covered with a greasy substance. There is presence of inflammation in the mouth along with burning and pain. On the insides of the cheeks, ulcers may be present. There may also be discharge of ropy saliva.  This is also a leading medicine to manage cases of acid reflux where stomach acid flows back to the food pipe and mouth.

When to use Iris Versicolor?

Iris Versicolor is very effective to treat cases of burning sensation in the mouth especially fire-like sensation and also presence of inflammation in the mouth along with loss of taste.

How to use Iris Versicolor?

Iris Versicolor can be utilised in 30C once or twice a day.

4. Arum Triphyllum – For Burning Along With Soreness

Arum Triphyllum is useful in cases of burning sensation in the mouth with marked soreness (pain on touch).  Burning sensation may also be felt in the throat. There are cracks on the tongue and it is also painful, along with burning sensation. The tongue is very dry and rough. Bleeding may also occur. A discharge of thick mucus from the mouth may appear. Bad smell tends to emanate from the mouth.

When to use Arum Triphyllum?

Use of this medicine is recommended in those cases where burning sensation is felt inside the mouth along with soreness i.e. pain on touch.

How to use Arum Triphyllum?

It is advised to use this medicine once a day in 30C power.

5. Belladonna – With Dryness Of Mouth

Belladonna is a very effective medicine that helps manage cases of burning sensation along with marked dryness in the mouth. Dryness is marked on the tongue, lips, inside of the cheeks and roof of the mouth. Excessive thirst is felt. Mouth gets red, swollen and inflamed. The taste in the mouth may be sour, bitter or bad. The tongue is white at the centre with red edges and painful to touch.

When to use Belladonna?

Belladonna works well in cases of burning sensation in the mouth accompanied by dryness in the mouth and excessive thirst.

How to use Belladonna?

It is best to start with 30C potency that can be taken once or twice a day depending upon the complaint. It can also be taken in high (200C) potency but only after consulting a homeopathic doctor.

6. Apis Mellifica – For Burning On Tongue With Intense Redness

This medicine can be used by patients who report with burning sensation on the tongue along with intense redness. The tongue is dry. Swelling on the tongue may be there. There may be shooting type of pain. In some cases, prickling sensation is felt on the tongue. Sometimes vesicles (tiny fluid-filled bumps) are present on the tongue with burning and stinging pain. Sticky, frothy saliva is present in the mouth.

When to use Apis Mellifica?

Apis Mellifica should be considered to manage burning sensation on the tongue with marked redness and dryness of tongue.

How to use Apis Mellifica?

Apis Mellifica 30C can be taken once or twice a day.

7. Nitric Acid – Along With Stinging Pain

This medicine is helpful in relieving burning sensation in the mouth accompanied with stinging pain. Mouth gets bright red and it may be swollen. After eating, there may be bitter taste in the mouth. The tongue is dry with cracks. The mouth is sensitive to even soft food. There is presence of ulcers on the lips, edges of the tongue and inside the cheeks. There may be increased salivation.

When to use Nitric Acid?

Nitric Acid should be administered in cases of burning sensation in the mouth when it is accompanied by stinging sensation, bright redness and swelling inside mouth.

How to use Nitric Acid?

It is recommended to take Nitric Acid once a day in 30C potency.

8. Natrum Mur – With Loss Of Taste

This medicine is administered if there is burning sensation in the mouth accompanied by the loss of taste. Burning sensation is felt in the mouth but is mostly marked on the tip of the tongue. The tongue may be mapped or geographic and has a coat of white and red patches. There is also a sensation of hair like feeling on the tongue. The mouth, lips and tongue are dry. Mouth is painful and sensitive even to liquid food. Ulcers may be present on the tongue, inside cheeks or gums with burning sensation.

When to use Natrum Mur?

Natrum Mur proves effective to manage burning sensation in the mouth accompanied with loss of taste.

How to use Natrum Mur?

Natrum Mur is mostly used in 6X potency twice or thrice a day.

Causes Of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome could be primary or secondary. If there is no clear reason behind the burning sensation, it is termed primary burning mouth syndrome. In this case, damage to the nerves of tongue is considered to be the reason. In cases where some underlying medical condition is leading to it, then it is termed secondary burning mouth syndrome. Some examples of such underlying causes include oral lichen planus, fungal infection in mouth, dry mouth, and geographic tongue.

Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune condition that tends to cause white lacy patterned lesions in the mouth (on inner cheeks, gums, lips, tongue or palate). In some cases, red swollen patches form in the mouth. The lesions are painful, may have burning sensation, and sometimes can bleed as well.

Fungal infection in the mouth is known as oral thrush. It causes white or creamy lesions in the mouth. These can develop on tongue, inside cheeks, on gums, and roof of the mouth. Burning and pain can be felt in these lesions.

Geographic tongue refers to the inflammatory condition of tongue characterised by formation of smooth, red bald patches on the tongue that gives the tongue a map-like or geographic appearance. The stomach acid rising into the mouth (GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease) or allergy to some food or some product used for mouth care can lead to a geographic tongue.

Apart from the above–mentioned reasons, other causes may include biting the tongue tip, brushing the tongue harshly, excessive use of mouthwash, a dental procedure, eating excessive acidic food/drink, and lack of nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin B12. The use of certain medicines like clonazepam, captopril, fluoxetine, hormone replacement therapies, and psychological problems, like stress, anxiety and depression, may also cause burning in the mouth. People who are above 50 years and those who smoke are at a risk of suffering from burning mouth syndrome. Women are at a greater risk than men, especially around menopause or after menopause.