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Food-therapy guide

What to drink for mouth ulcers?

Short answer

For mouth ulcers, Cantonese food therapy often turns to cooling, yin-nourishing drinks and soups associated with easing internal heat and dryness. Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea is a strong fit for recurring ulcers with a dry throat, while Lotus Plumule & Green Tea suits a heat pattern linked with late nights or stress. Glehnia, Ophiopogon & Fig Tea is another gentle option when dryness and poor sleep accompany the sores.

Oral & Throat ComfortCooling & Summer Heat

In traditional Chinese food therapy, mouth ulcers are often associated with excess internal heat, sometimes combined with depleted yin or dryness. Late nights, stress and a diet heavy in fried or spicy foods are commonly linked with this pattern, while hot summer weather may make the feeling of heat more noticeable.

The recipes below take slightly different approaches. Some use ophiopogon, glehnia or snow fungus to nourish yin and moisten dryness; others use lotus plumule, soybean sprouts or tofu for their traditional association with clearing excess heat. Choose according to whether dryness, recurring ulcers, late nights, sore throat or summer heat best matches your situation.

7 recipes compared

RecipeTypeKey ingredientsBest forTime
Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea Herbal & Flower Teas Scrophularia root, Ophiopogon tuber, Monk fruit Recurring ulcers with dry or uncomfortable throat 35 min
Glehnia, Ophiopogon and Fig Tea Herbal & Flower Teas Glehnia root, Ophiopogon root, Dried figs Mouth sores with heat and dryness 35 min
Lotus Plumule & Green Tea (Lian Zi Qing Xin Cha) Herbal & Flower Teas Lotus plumule / lotus embryo, Green tea leaves Recurring ulcers after stress or late nights 8 min
Luo Han Guo, Lotus Plumule and Mint Leaf Tea Herbal & Flower Teas Luo han guo, Fresh lotus plumules, Mint leaves Summer mouth sores and a heated feeling 12 min
Soybean Sprout, Snow Fungus and Tofu Soup Soups Soybean sprouts, Firm tofu, suitable for soup, Snow fungus / white wood ear Ulcers after insufficient sleep with dry throat 105 min
Old Cucumber, Dried Scallop and Tangerine Peel Congee Congee & Porridge Old cucumber, Dried scallop, Aged tangerine peel Adults or children wanting a soft meal 1 hr 45 min
Soybean Sprout, Tofu and Fresh Fish Slow-Cooked Soupfull recipe free Soups Soybean sprouts, Firm tofu, Fresh whole fish Mouth sores with swollen gums or summer heat 135 min

The recipes, and why each one fits

  1. Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea

    Best for: Recurring ulcers with dry or uncomfortable throat

    This three-ingredient tea combines scrophularia root, ophiopogon and monk fruit. It is traditionally used to nourish yin and clear internal heat, particularly when mouth ulcers keep returning or occur alongside throat dryness or discomfort.

    Traditionally used to nourish yin, clear internal heat, and support relief from mouth ulcers and throat discomfort

  2. Glehnia, Ophiopogon and Fig Tea

    Best for: Mouth sores with heat and dryness

    Glehnia and ophiopogon are traditionally associated with nourishing yin, moistening dryness and cooling internal heat, while dried figs add natural sweetness. It is a gentle choice when mouth sores appear alongside poor sleep or a sense of dryness.

    traditionally used to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and support oral comfort

  3. Lotus Plumule & Green Tea (Lian Zi Qing Xin Cha)

    Best for: Recurring ulcers after stress or late nights

    Lotus plumule is traditionally associated with clearing the pattern known as heart fire. Combined with green tea, it makes a quick, slightly bitter drink often turned to when recurring ulcers are associated with late nights, stress or fried and spicy foods.

    Traditionally used to calm inner heat and support relief from recurring mouth ulcers

  4. Luo Han Guo, Lotus Plumule and Mint Leaf Tea

    Best for: Summer mouth sores and a heated feeling

    Monk fruit, lotus plumule, mint and chrysanthemum make this a particularly cooling-style tea. It is traditionally associated with clearing excess internal heat when mouth sores flare during hot weather or after rich and fried foods.

    traditionally used to support cooling of internal heat and comfort oral tissues

  5. Soybean Sprout, Snow Fungus and Tofu Soup

    Best for: Ulcers after insufficient sleep with dry throat

    Soybean sprouts, snow fungus and tofu form the cooling base of this family soup, with dried figs and lean pork. It is traditionally used to nourish yin and clear excess heat when late nights are accompanied by mouth ulcers, dry throat or irritability.

    Traditionally used to nourish yin and clear excess heat causing mouth ulcers and sore throat

  6. Old Cucumber, Dried Scallop and Tangerine Peel Congee

    Best for: Adults or children wanting a soft meal

    Old cucumber is traditionally used to clear heat, generate fluids and relieve thirst. Cooked with dried scallop, aged tangerine peel and rice, this soft congee is traditionally offered to both adults and children with mouth ulcers, particularly during hot weather.

    Traditionally nourishes yin and clears heat to ease mouth ulcers

  7. Soybean Sprout, Tofu and Fresh Fish Slow-Cooked Soup

    Best for: Mouth sores with swollen gums or summer heat

    Soybean sprouts and tofu are traditionally associated with clearing internal heat, while fresh fish makes this a more substantial family soup. It is particularly relevant when mouth sores occur together with swollen gums, lip sores or heat-related irritability.

    Traditionally associated with clearing internal heat, reducing inflammation in the mouth and gums, and calming irritability

How to choose

  • For recurring ulcers with dry throat, start with Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea; for a gentler dryness-focused option, choose Glehnia, Ophiopogon & Fig Tea.
  • If late nights, stress or fried and spicy foods seem to accompany outbreaks, Lotus Plumule & Green Tea is the quickest option at about 8 minutes.
  • For hot-weather mouth sores, Luo Han Guo, Lotus Plumule & Mint Leaf Tea is a cooling-style choice; avoid drinking it frequently if you have a cold or delicate digestion.
  • If you prefer food rather than herbal tea, choose Soybean Sprout, Snow Fungus & Tofu Soup; Old Cucumber, Dried Scallop & Tangerine Peel Congee provides a soft alternative traditionally offered to adults and children.
  • When mouth sores occur together with swollen gums, Soybean Sprout, Tofu & Fresh Fish Soup more closely matches that combination.

When to be cautious

  • Luo Han Guo, Lotus Plumule & Mint Leaf Tea should not be taken frequently by people with a cold or delicate digestion.
  • School-age children can drink the Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea, while the old cucumber congee is traditionally offered to both adults and children.
  • If mouth ulcers keep recurring despite food adjustments, the Soybean Sprout, Snow Fungus & Tofu Soup notes suggest considering vitamin B complex where nutritional factors may be involved.
  • Food therapy is traditional dietary support rather than treatment for mouth ulcers. See a doctor if symptoms persist or keep recurring.

Common questions

Which tea is best suited to recurring mouth ulcers?

Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea is specifically traditionally used for recurring mouth ulcers, especially when they occur with dry throat or throat discomfort. Lotus Plumule & Green Tea is another traditional option when repeated outbreaks seem associated with late nights, stress or a diet heavy in fried and spicy foods.

What can I drink for mouth ulcers after staying up late?

The Soybean Sprout, Snow Fungus & Tofu Soup is traditionally used when insufficient sleep is followed by mouth ulcers, dry mouth, sore throat or irritability. For something quicker, Lotus Plumule & Green Tea is traditionally associated with clearing the internal heat pattern linked with late nights and stress.

What is a good cooling drink for mouth ulcers in summer?

Luo Han Guo, Lotus Plumule & Mint Leaf Tea is particularly suited to the traditional summer-heat pattern. It combines monk fruit, lotus plumule, mint and chrysanthemum and is traditionally associated with cooling excess internal heat. People with a cold or delicate digestion should avoid drinking it frequently.

Can children have these traditional recipes for mouth ulcers?

Some of the listed recipes specifically mention children. Old Cucumber, Dried Scallop & Tangerine Peel Congee is traditionally offered to both adults and children with mouth ulcers, while Scrophularia, Ophiopogon & Monk Fruit Tea is described as suitable from school age upwards. Follow the individual recipe cautions and seek medical advice if a child's symptoms persist.

Guides are compiled from Nourilo's recipe library and describe traditional use. Read how we write and check our content and who is behind Nourilo.

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