Top Homeopathic Medicines For Ranula, A Cyst In The Mouth

Ranula is a cyst (fluid-filled sac) that forms on the floor of the mouth under the tongue. It arises from blockage of the salivary gland (that makes saliva) in the mouth. It is filled with saliva that comes out from the damaged salivary gland. The fluid in the ranula has a viscous, jelly-like consistency like white of an egg. It is a benign (means non-cancerous) growth which grows slowly. In some cases, the cyst can by itself empty into the mouth and again fill up slowly within weeks.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy is highly effective in treating cases of ranula. Homeopathic medicines are natural and safe to use in such cases. There is gradual reduction in the size of the cyst and surgical incision and drainage can be prevented in most of the cases. The results vary from case to case depending on the size and duration of the cyst. There are numerous medicines in homeopathy for its treatment and the prescription varies from case to case as per the individual’s signs and symptoms. It is advisable to take any homeopathic medicine under guidance of a homeopathic physician.

Homeopathic Medicines For Ranula

1. Calcarea Carb

Calcarea Carb is a leading homeopathic medicine for treating ranula. In cases needing it, a semi- transparent cyst is present on the floor of the mouth under the tongue. It is a big growth that pushes the tongue upwards. Along with this, there is swelling in the sublingual glands (major salivary glands that produce saliva). Dryness in the mouth alternates with excessive salivation where this medicine is required.

2. Ambra Grisea

It is the next prominent medicine for cases of ranula. It is useful for small growths under the tongue. There may be an offensive smell in the mouth. Bitter taste may be felt in the mouth in the morning.

3. Thuja

It is a natural medicine prepared from fresh twigs of plant Thuja Occidentalis, commonly known as ‘arbor vitae’. This medicine is well indicated for cases in which the cyst is bluish-red. Though it can be present on any side of the tongue, it is most likely to develop on the left side in cases needing it. For using it, the cyst can be transparent or semi-transparent. It is soft and painless, however, there is difficulty in speech.

4. Merc Sol

This medicine is valuable to treat cases of ranula that appear on the right side. The persons who need it may have complaints of recurrent ranula. The sublingual glands are swollen, hard and painful where this medicine is required. Excessive salivation may attend it. An offensive odour from mouth can be there along with above complaints.

5. Natrum Mur

Natrum Mur is the next prominent medicine for cases of ranula. This medicine is indicated for cases in which there is swelling under the tongue accompanied with a stinging type of pain. Along with this, long-term inflammation of salivary glands is present. There may be copious salivation that tastes salty.

6. Nitric Acid

Persons requiring it have a very foul smell in the mouth. They can either have a dry mouth or profuse salivation. The salivary glands may be swollen too.

7. Mezereum

This natural medicine is prepared from fresh bark (gathered just before the flowers appear) of plant Daphne Mezereum commonly known as ‘spurge olive’. This medicine works well in cases of swelling under the right side of tongue. It tends to gradually increase in size.  At its apex, it is red and  bluish. It is painless in cases that require Mezereum. There may be leaking of watery fluid from the cyst while talking or chewing food.

8. Chromicum Acidum

It is a rare medicine that is indicated for periodical (that occurs from time to time) ranula. It is attended with dryness of the mouth. While chewing, soreness is felt in it.

9. Sacharum Album

The last homeopathic medicine in the list to treat these cases is Sacharum Album. This medicine is helpful in cases in which there is cyst under the tongue and there is inflammation of the salivary glands.

What Is The Reason Behind It?

Mostly these occur from trauma to the floor of the mouth. In our body saliva is formed by three glands — parotid glands, submandibular glands and sublingual glands. In case any of these glands (mostly the sublingual gland) gets injured (as from an oral surgery), blocked or diseased, then saliva is not able to enter the mouth but gets swallowed. In such cases, the saliva leaks from the injured gland and accumulates in the tissue around the gland to form a cyst. The plunging ranula forms due to rupture of simple ranula. In some cases, the reason behind ranula is not known.

What Are Its Signs And Symptoms?

Ranula appears as a growth on the floor of the mouth. It can be clear or bluish or pink, depending on how deep-rooted it is. Its size also varies from case to case.  It is not fixed and is soft to touch. It is not painful but in rare cases, can cause a little pain.

The cyst can be simple or plunging. In case of simple ranula, the cyst is confined to the mouth under the tongue.

But in case simple ranula ruptures and a pseudocyst forms that extends down the neck and result in a mass in the submandibular space, it is referred as plunging ranula. It is also known as diving ranula or cervical ranula in which the swelling occurs in the neck rather than the floor of the mouth. In case of a plunging ranula, symptoms like problem in swallowing or speaking can occur. It may also cause compression of the trachea.

What Are Its Complications?

The complications that can occur in case of ranula is rupture of cyst when it becomes large. Next complication that can arise is difficulty in swallowing. Other than this, there may be problem in speaking.  There are also chances of infection developing in the ranula. Lastly, bursting on its own, reformation and recurrence of these cysts after draining is another possibility.