Dear Bob Liebert,

I quit smoking 4 months ago and since then I've been plagued by canker sores in my mouth. I exercise a lot, eat low fat or fat free food (I also have acid reflux), I take vitamins on daily basis and still... the sores come and go the other two weeks. I am in great shape, I did my blood work a week ago and my physician told me he hadn't seen such good results in years. The most intriguing fact is, that I grew up in a third world country, in poverty and surrounded by all those viruses and bacteria, and I never ever had to see a doctor, developed a wonderful immune system. Isn't that strange, that I began having this problem here, in the US? Thank you and God bless you !
- Lolo

Dear Friend,

I have heard from a number of others who have experienced the same symptoms after quitting smoking. Canker sores usually stem from a disordered sate of the digestive tract, which combined with lowered resistance and imbalance of bacteria, will produce the sores. Slippery Elm powder, mixed in water as a gruel, or the cut bark made into tea is used as a mouth rinse and swallowed. It is soothing and healing to the membranes, and for acid reflux. Herbs that normalize the secretions of the stomach will aid (see DIGESTAID Formula); these herbs are taken before and/or after meals, or as needed for acid and indigestion. ECHINACEA extract is taken at first sign of sores or lowered immunity. Blood-building herbs can be added if nutrition is impaired, as in anemia and other symptoms (see BLOOD BUILD Formula).

Yours in healing,
Bob Liebert, herbalist

You can buy these herbs and many more in the Formula and Single Herb sections of the Teeter Creek Herb website. Herbs that don't appear in the Formula or Single Herb lists can usually be requested in the "Message" section at the bottom of the order page.

The information expressed is the personal observations of Herbalist Bob Liebert based on his personal experience and his studies of folk and traditional herbalism. These observations are not meant to be a substitute for qualified medical diagnosis and treatment. Uses of many of the herbs have not been scientifically verified.