How to Address Mouth Ulcers Using TCM Principles

May 27, 2025

Healing Mouth Ulcers the TCM Way

Mouth ulcers, those pesky painful sores that pop up on your gums, tongue, or cheeks, can make eating, talking, or even smiling a challenge. While they’re often brushed off as minor annoyances, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mouth ulcers are a window into your body’s internal balance. By observing their location, appearance, and triggers, TCM practitioners can pinpoint underlying imbalances and offer targeted treatments. Let’s explore how TCM diagnoses and heals mouth ulcers, empowering you to restore harmony naturally.

Understanding Mouth Ulcers in TCM

In TCM, mouth ulcers reflect disharmonies in the body’s organ systems, often tied to Heat, Deficiency, or Qi imbalances. The mouth is closely connected to the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Kidneys, and ulcers signal disruptions in these systems. By observing the ulcers’ location, color, and context, practitioners diagnose the root cause, rather than just soothing the surface pain.

Here’s how TCM interprets mouth ulcers based on their appearance and triggers:

Ulcers on gums with red rims, very painful: Indicates Stomach Full Heat, where excess Heat in the Stomach causes inflammation and soreness.
Ulcers on gums with pale rims: Points to Stomach Empty Heat, a subtler Heat from Yin Deficiency in the Stomach.
Ulcers on the tip of the tongue: Suggests Heart Fire (excessive Heat) or Heart Empty Heat (Yin Deficiency), often linked to stress or emotional imbalances.
Ulcers on the inside of cheeks: Reflects Stomach Heat, where digestive imbalances manifest in the oral cavity.
Ulcers during pregnancy: Indicates Disharmony of Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), a key channel affecting reproductive and hormonal balance.
Ulcers with pale rims, worsened by overwork: Signals Kidney Yin Deficiency or Yuan Qi Deficiency, where the body’s foundational energy is depleted.

By identifying these patterns, TCM offers a roadmap to treat not just the ulcers but the underlying imbalance, promoting lasting relief.

TCM Diagnosis by Observation! (Very Important)

TCM diagnosis begins with careful observation, a cornerstone of holistic healing. Practitioners examine the ulcers’ location, color, and surrounding tissue, alongside the patient’s overall health, lifestyle, and triggers. For example, red-rimmed ulcers paired with poor digestion might point to Stomach Heat, while pale-rimmed ulcers with fatigue could indicate Kidney Yin Deficiency. Pulse and tongue diagnosis further refine the picture, revealing the state of Qi, Yin, and Yang.

This observational approach aligns with TCM’s philosophy: treat the root, not just the branch. For your TCM practice or studies, honing observation skills, perhaps with tools like our Diagnosis Study Deck, can deepen your ability to diagnose and heal.

Shop Diagnosis Deck

Acupuncture: A Key to Relief

Acupuncture is a powerful TCM tool for treating mouth ulcers, restoring balance by stimulating specific points along the body’s meridians. One commonly used point is SP 6 (Sanyinjiao), located on the inner leg, about four finger-widths above the ankle.

Why SP 6?

The Spleen channel runs beneath the tongue, making it ideal for addressing oral imbalances like ulcers. SP 6 also nourishes Yin, clears Heat, and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, tackling root causes such as Stomach Heat or Yin Deficiency.

During a session, a TCM practitioner may combine SP 6 with other points tailored to the diagnosis, such as ST 44 for Stomach Heat or HT 7 for Heart Fire. Regular treatments (e.g., 1 to 2 sessions per week) can reduce pain, speed healing, and prevent recurrence.

Shop Acu Cards

Herbal Formulas: Nature’s Remedies

TCM herbal formulas complement acupuncture by addressing internal imbalances. Based on the ulcer’s pattern, practitioners prescribe specific formulas to clear Heat, nourish Yin, or tonify Qi. Here are some commonly used formulas for mouth ulcers:

Qing Wei San: Clears Stomach Heat and nourishes Stomach Yin, ideal for red-rimmed gum ulcers or cheek sores.
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan: Nourishes Heart and Kidney Yin, perfect for tongue-tip ulcers tied to Heart Fire or Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Liang Ge San: Cools Heart and Spleen Heat, addressing ulcers with emotional or digestive triggers.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: Tonifies Stomach and Spleen Qi, suited for pale-rimmed ulcers linked to Deficiency.
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin: Clears Toxic Heat, effective for severe, inflamed ulcers with systemic Heat.

As TCM practitioners, tailor your herbal prescriptions to each patient’s unique pattern, adjusting dosages and combinations to optimize outcomes. Encourage patients to pair herbs with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding spicy foods, to boost efficacy.

Lifestyle Tips for Prevention

TCM emphasizes prevention through balance. To reduce mouth ulcers, consider these tips:

Diet: Avoid spicy, greasy, or overly hot foods that aggravate Stomach Heat. Opt for cooling foods like cucumber, mung beans, or pear.
Stress Management: Since Heart Fire often stems from stress, practice mindfulness, meditation, or tai chi to calm the mind.
Rest: Overwork depletes Kidney Yin and Yuan Qi, so prioritize sleep and avoid burnout.
Hydration: Stay hydrated to support Yin and prevent Heat accumulation.
Oral Hygiene: Maintain gentle oral care to avoid irritating existing ulcers.

Why TCM Shines for Mouth Ulcers

Unlike conventional treatments that focus on symptom relief (e.g., topical gels), TCM addresses mouth ulcers holistically, targeting the root imbalance. Whether it’s clearing Stomach Heat, nourishing Kidney Yin, or harmonizing Ren Mai, TCM offers personalized solutions that empower long-term wellness.

For TCM students and practitioners, tools like our Diagnosis Deck (use code SAVE150 at checkout for $150 off!) can deepen your understanding of these patterns!

Take the Next Step

Mouth ulcers may be small, but they’re a big clue to your body’s balance. By embracing TCM’s wisdom through observation, acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle, you can guide your patients to heal naturally and prevent recurrence. If you’re a TCM practitioner or learner, explore these approaches in your practice or studies.

Have questions?

Reach out to us at friends@bonchofriends.com, we’re here to support your TCM journey!

P.S. Our friends love bundle set options! Check out our Mix-and-Match Bundle options here to learn more!

Stay tuned for more TCM insights by subscribing to our newsletter!

Find the observation cards inside the Diagnosis Deck!

Did you learn something new today?

If you enjoyed this information and want more, follow us on Instagram (@bonchofriends) to discover other TCM tips!

If you love our content, please show your support by liking, commenting, and sharing with your friends—your support means the world to us!

As a former student preparing for the CALE (California Acupuncture License Exam) and NCCAOM exams, having all the differential diagnosis information—key characteristics, tongue and pulse details, acupuncture points, and herbal formulas—in one place was incredibly helpful. This convenience saved me from constantly flipping through textbooks and allowed me to focus on studying each diagnosis.

Even now, as a practitioner, these consolidated references are invaluable. They help me quickly find the right herbs and acupuncture points for each patient’s diagnosis.

With our Diagnosis Deck, we aim to bring the same convenience and efficiency to your TCM journey. Whether you're preparing for school exams, board exams, or practicing as a TCM professional, these cards are crafted to make your life simple, fun, and easy

Mastering the Diagnosis Deck: A How-To Guide!

Here's a fantastic way to deepen your understanding of TCM Differential Diagnosis!

Front Side Features:

Memory anchor images: Boost recall with visual aids.
Differential pattern name: Easily identify patterns at a glance.
Boncho Icons: Quick reference for enhanced understanding.

Back Side Features:

Comprehensive differential patterns analysis: Dive deep into each pattern.
Key characteristics and general symptoms: Gain insights for effective diagnosis.
Quick reference indicators: Access tongue, pulse, acupuncture points, and formulas in a snap.

(We've included acupuncture points and herbal formulas for each pattern! These additions are geared towards helping students pass the board exam and giving practitioners the confidence they need when treating patients.)

The Diagnosis Deck is a visual reference tool for differential diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It allows practitioners to identify potential TCM patterns by analyzing key symptoms, tongue and pulse characteristics, acupuncture points, and herbal formulas.

Key Features

Differential Diagnosis
Each card represents a specific TCM pattern, with clearly outlined characteristics to help compare and contrast patterns for accurate diagnosis.
Visual Cues
Color-coded icons and symbols highlight the nature of the pattern (e.g., heat, cold, deficiency, excess) for quick identification.
Comprehensive Information
Cards detail the pattern name, tongue and pulse features, associated acupuncture points, and herbal formulas for treatment.

How to Use the Deck

1. Gather Information

Take a thorough patient history.
Note the primary symptoms, presenting complaints, and any relevant lifestyle or environmental factors.

2. Identify Potential Patterns

Review the deck for cards that align with the patient’s symptoms.
Focus on key symptoms, tongue, and pulse features to narrow down possibilities.

3. Analyze the Card

Once a matching card is selected, study the detailed information provided:

4. Compare and Contrast

If uncertain about the diagnosis, examine other cards with similar features.
Use the differential diagnosis observation section to refine your understanding of subtle distinctions between patterns.

5. Treatment Planning

Use the card’s information to craft a treatment plan tailored to the patient.
Integrate recommended acupuncture points and herbal formulas as appropriate.

We're Here to Help!

If you have any questions or need assistance using our deck, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your learning journey every step of the way. (friends@bonchofriends.com)

Happy studying, and remember, Boncho Friends are always by your side!

Made with love