Oral mucositis
Supplements studied for oral mucositis.
Overview
Curcumin (WA 68; medium effect size, high evidence, high trust) has medium-strength evidence that oral turmeric or curcumin mouthwash may reduce severity of treatment-related oral mucositis and associated pain. Iodine (WA 32; very low effect size, low evidence, medium trust) mouth rinses during cancer treatment may reduce mucositis incidence and severity versus water rinses. Probiotics (WA 64; medium effect size, medium evidence, high trust) are rated possibly effective, though detail is limited.
Aloe (WA 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) may lower mucositis risk or severity in some studies, often combined with other ingredients. Kefir (WA 32; very low effect size, low evidence, medium trust) did not prevent mucositis in one colorectal cancer trial. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
11 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
CurcuminView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking turmeric by mouth or using a mouthwash containing curcumin may help reduce painful mouth sores (oral mucositis) due to cancer treatments.
- In patients receiving radiation after oral cancer surgery, taking turmeric 500 mg two or three times a day lowered severe mouth sores from 65% with placebo to 20–25%.
- It also reduced severe pain, difficulty swallowing, and skin irritation.
- A special curcumin supplement taken twice daily for 7 weeks helped reduce mucositis severity and pain, especially in those receiving chemotherapy.
- Swishing turmeric mouthwash frequently delayed the start of mucositis and cut severe cases nearly in half compared to other mouthwashes.
- A curcumin mouthwash used three times daily for 6 weeks reduced mucositis risk by half and delayed its onset by 2 weeks compared to another mouthwash.
- Taking curcumin pills or using curcumin mouthwash helped improve pain, burning, ulcers, and redness compared to placebo.
Browse 5 studies
RCTEfficacy of curcumin for amelioration of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial2023n=37
In 37 head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, curcumin mouthwash (0.1%) or 40 mg/day nanocapsule taken 3× daily for up to 3 weeks significantly reduced oral mucositis severity and burning versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Dose
- 40 mg/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 37
- Avg age
- ~53
RCTA Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of Bio-Enhanced Turmeric Formulation on Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis2022n=60
A 6-week study of 60 patients with oral cancer who had undergone radical surgery, assigned subjects either a bio-enhanced turmeric formulation (BCM-95: 1 g/day or 1.5 g/day) or placebo. When compared to placebo, BCM-95 was able to significantly reduce the rate of grade 3 oral mucositis, oral pain and dermatitis after 6 weeks.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 1 g/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 60
RCTEffects of nanomicelle curcumin capsules on prevention and treatment of oral mucosits in patients under chemotherapy with or without head and neck radiotherapy: a randomized clinical trial2021n=50
In 50 patients on chemotherapy with or without head/neck radiotherapy, nanomicelle curcumin 80 mg twice daily for 7 weeks reduced oral mucositis severity and pain compared with placebo, especially in chemotherapy-only patients.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Dose
- 80 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 50
RCTEffectiveness of curcumin mouthwash on radiation-induced oral mucositis among head and neck cancer patients: A triple-blind, pilot randomised controlled trial2020n=17
A 6-week study including 68 head and neck cancer patients found that curcumin (0.1% mouth wash) reduced the instantaneous risk of onset of radiation-induced oral mucositis by 50% compared to 0.15% benzydamine mouthwash according to modified ITT analysis (at least 1 follow up) but per protocol analysis (study completion, n=17) found no difference between groups. The onset of RIOM was significantly delayed in the curcumin group by 2 weeks according to modified ITT analysis. Neither treatment was able to reduce the severity of or completely prevent the occurrence of oral mucositis. [10250]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
- Participants
- 17
RCTThe Indian Spice Turmeric Delays and Mitigates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer: An Investigational Study2014n=80
A single-blinded study including 80 head and neck cancer patients undergoing 70 Gy of radiation or chemoradiotherapy per week found that turmeric gargle was more effective than povidone-iodine for delaying and reducing incidence of radiation-induced oral mucositis. The reduction and delay in oral-mucositis was significant at all time points, when measured at the end of each week for 7 weeks. Subjects taking turmeric experienced reduced weight loss and decreased rates of intolerable mucositis. [10251]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
- Participants
- 80
ProbioticsView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Probiotics are possibly effective for Oral mucositis.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaThe effect of probiotics on severe oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: A meta-analysis2024n=1,055
A meta-analysis of 12 studies (n=1055) found probiotics reduced severe oral mucositis in cancer patients (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.28–0.50).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 1,055
AloeView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking or rinsing with aloe vera juice or mouthwash during cancer treatment may help lower the risk and severity of painful mouth sores called oral mucositis.
- Some studies show aloe can reduce mouth soreness and delay when it starts.
- Aloe is often combined with other natural ingredients which may add benefits.
- More research is needed for stronger evidence.
Browse 5 studies
RCTPrevention of radiotherapy-related oral mucositis with zinc and polyherbal mouthwash: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial2023n=67
6-week double-blind RCT in 67 head-and-neck cancer patients found zinc and polyherbal mouthwashes including aloe reduced radiation oral mucositis and pain versus chlorhexidine or placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Population
- Patients with head and neck cancer
- Participants
- 67
- Ages
- 18+
Clinical trialEfficacy and safety of a colostrum- and Aloe vera-based oral care protocol to prevent and treat severe oral mucositis in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a single-arm phase II study2022n=19
Single-arm phase II study in 59 HSCT patients found colostrum-Aloe vera oral care reduced severe oral mucositis versus historical controls, though randomized confirmation is needed.
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 19
RCTEfficacy of Aloe-Vera Use for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial2021n=26
RCT in 26 ALL children aged 3-6 found topical aloe vera reduced chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis severity versus sodium bicarbonate over 2 months of follow-up.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 26
- Ages
- 3–6
MetaInterventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment2011
Cochrane review of 131 studies found aloe vera among ten interventions with some benefit for preventing or reducing cancer treatment-related oral mucositis, though evidence strength varied.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with cancer
RCTPhase II double-blind randomized study comparing oral aloe vera versus placebo to prevent radiation-related mucositis in patients with head-and-neck neoplasms2004
Phase II RCT in head-and-neck cancer patients found oral aloe vera did not reduce radiation mucositis severity, duration, or quality of life versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Patients with head and neck cancer
MelatoninView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research shows that melatonin generally does not prevent or lessen oral mucositis—a painful mouth condition that can occur in people with head and neck cancer receiving radiation and chemotherapy.
- In most studies, melatonin made no difference compared with placebo.
- One small study found that melatonin delayed the start of severe mouth sores by about two weeks during treatment, but larger reviews show no overall benefit for head and neck cancer.
- Some evidence suggests melatonin might help reduce mouth sores in people with other types of cancer, especially when taken as a 20 mg oral dose at night.
- Other tested forms include a melatonin gargle before treatment and a melatonin gel mouthwash used during and after radiation.
- When it comes to reducing the severity of mouth sores, results are mixed, but most studies show melatonin does not make them less severe.
Browse 3 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaEffect of melatonin on quality of life and symptoms in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials2022n=2,101
A meta-analysis of 19 RCTs (2,101 cancer patients) found melatonin significantly reduced stomatitis rate (RR 0.47) and eased depression with >14 days of use, but showed no significant overall effect on QoL, sleep, or fatigue.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 2,101
RCTRandomized placebo-controlled phase II trial of high-dose melatonin mucoadhesive oral gel for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy concurrent with systemic treatment2021n=54
In head and neck cancer patients, 3% melatonin oral gel did not significantly reduce grade 3–4 oral mucositis versus placebo in this phase II trial.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 66 g/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 54
RCTBeneficial Effects of Adjuvant Melatonin in Minimizing Oral Mucositis Complications in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiation2017n=5
In 39 head-and-neck cancer patients on chemoradiation, adjuvant melatonin 20 mg (gargle plus nightly capsule) for 7 weeks reduced oral mucositis severity versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 weeks
- Dose
- 20 mg
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
- Participants
- 5
GingerView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Ginger mouthwash has mostly been studied combined with other ingredients, so it's unclear if ginger alone helps.
- One study in cancer patients found a mouthwash with ginger and honey did not significantly reduce mouth sore pain or severity but showed some improvement after a week.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of honey-ginger mouthwash on oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy2025n=36
In 70 cancer patients on chemotherapy, honey-ginger mouthwash for 14 days significantly reduced oral mucositis severity versus normal saline rinse in a randomized trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 days
- Population
- Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
- Participants
- 36
Milk ThistleView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if milk thistle helps prevent or treat mouth sores caused by radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
- Small studies show that taking milk thistle capsules during radiation may reduce how severe the sores get and delay their start.
- Milk thistle was safe and generally well tolerated in these studies.
- However, more research is needed to be sure it works.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of Oral Silymarin Administration on Prevention of Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2016n=27
A 6-week double-blind RCT of 27 head-and-neck cancer patients found 420 mg/day oral silymarin significantly reduced radiotherapy-induced mucositis severity.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 420 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 27
Olive OilView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if using olive oil in the mouth helps with mouth sores caused by chemotherapy.
- In a small study with children having leukemia, swishing and swallowing a small amount of olive oil three times a day for up to a week reduced pain and sores compared to no treatment, but not as much as using Manuka honey.
- The study was small, so more research is needed.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe efficacy of honey or olive oil on the severity of oral mucositis and pain compared to placebo (standard care) in children with leukemia receiving intensive chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)2023n=42
An RCT in 42 children with leukemia and chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis found Manuka honey reduced mucositis severity most; olive oil reduced pain versus standard care but less than honey.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 42
IodineView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Small studies show that rinsing the mouth with a povidone-iodine solution during cancer treatment can help reduce the chance and severity of painful mouth sores called oral mucositis.
- It is safe to use and works better than rinsing with water.
Browse 2 studies
RCTProphylaxis with povidone-iodine against induction of oral mucositis by radiochemotherapy1998n=40
In 40 head-and-neck radiochemotherapy patients, prophylactic povidone-iodine oral rinses did not clearly reduce oral mucositis severity compared with standard care in this prospective randomized trial.
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
- Participants
- 40
RCTPovidone-iodine to prevent mucositis in patients during antineoplastic radiochemotherapy1997n=40
In 40 cancer patients on antineoplastic radiochemotherapy, adding 4 daily povidone-iodine rinses to standard mucositis prophylaxis did not significantly reduce mucositis versus sterile water rinses.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 40
KefirView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A small study in people with colorectal cancer found that rinsing the mouth with kefir and then drinking kefir (250 mL twice a day for the first 5 days of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil) did not prevent mouth sores compared with rinsing with salt water.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of oral administration of kefir on serum proinflammatory cytokines on 5-FU induced oral mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer2008n=40
In 40 cancer patients on 5-FU chemotherapy, kefir reduced serum proinflammatory cytokines and improved antimicrobial activity versus control during treatment.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 5 days per chemotherapy cycle
- Dose
- 250 mL kefir twice daily
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 40
QuercetinView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if taking quercetin by mouth helps prevent mouth sores caused by chemotherapy.
- One small study found that taking 250 mg of quercetin twice daily for 4 weeks did not prevent these sores compared to a placebo.
- More research is needed.
Browse 1 study
RCTA Randomized Placebo- Controlled Double Blind Clinical Trial of Quercetin in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis2017n=10
In 20 adults with blood malignancies, 250 mg quercetin twice daily did not significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis incidence versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 250 mg 2×/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 10
SeleniumView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if taking selenium by mouth helps reduce mouth sores caused by radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.
- A small study found that selenium supplements did not lessen how often or how bad these sores were compared to placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of Selenium on Incidence and Severity of Mucositis during Radiotherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer2020
In 71 head and neck cancer patients during radiotherapy, selenium 400 mcg/day did not reduce oral mucositis incidence or severity versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 200 mcg 2×/day
- Population
- Patients with head and neck cancer
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe | ★★★★★52% | 5 | 0 | 23% |
| Curcumin | ★★★★★68% | 5 | 0 | 23% |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★52% | 3 | 1 | 14% |
| Iodine | ★★★★★32% | 2 | 0 | 9% |
| Ginger | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Kefir | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Milk Thistle | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Olive Oil | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Probiotics | ★★★★★64% | 1 | 1 | 5% |
| Quercetin | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 5% |