Updated: Nov 30, 2024
7 Herbal Creams For Difficulty Swallowing
Herbal creams can be a helpful remedy for difficulty swallowing, a condition also known as dysphagia.
When you have trouble swallowing, it can be frustrating and even painful to eat and drink. Herbal teas, made from plants like Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, can help soothe and calm the throat, making it easier to swallow. Glycyrrhiza glabra has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce swelling and irritation in the throat. Another herb that can help with difficulty swallowing is Zingiber officinale, or ginger. Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and pain in the throat. It also has a soothing effect, which can help calm the muscles in the throat and make swallowing easier.
Some people also use Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, to help soothe and calm the throat. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and irritation in the throat. Using herbal teas or creams made from these herbs can bring many benefits to your life. For one, it can make eating and drinking more comfortable and enjoyable. When you can swallow easily, you can eat and drink your favorite foods and drinks without struggling or feeling anxious. This can also help you feel more relaxed and confident when eating and drinking, which can improve your overall quality of life.
Additionally, using herbal teas or creams can be a natural and non-invasive way to manage difficulty swallowing, without the need for medication or surgery.
This article explains in detail what are the best herbal teas for difficulty swallowing and wh.
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Table of Contents
1. Glycyrrhiza glabra
Glycyrrhiza glabra creams contains active constituents like glycyrrhizin and flavonoids that help soothe and calm the throat.
Glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain in the throat, making it easier to swallow. Flavonoids, such as kaempferol and quercetin, have antioxidant properties that protect the throat from damage and promote healing. The demulcent properties of glycyrrhizin and other compounds in Glycyrrhiza glabra creams help form a protective barrier on the throat, shielding it from irritation and discomfort.
This helps to reduce inflammation and make swallowing easier, especially for people with difficulty swallowing due to throat irritation or inflammation.
- Gather ingredients: 2 cups of distilled water, 1 cup of glycerin, 1 cup of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
- Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over low heat.
- Add the glycerin, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, and aloe vera gel to the melted beeswax. Stir until combined.
- Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool. Stir in the vitamin E oil.
- Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool completely. Once set, the cream is ready to use.
2. Zingiber officinale
Zingiber officinale creams contains a high concentration of gingerols and shogaols, two active compounds responsible for its therapeutic properties.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help reduce swelling and inflammation in the throat and mouth, making it easier to swallow. Gingerols and shogaols also have a direct effect on the nervous system, stimulating saliva production and reducing spasms in the muscles that control swallowing. This increased saliva production helps to lubricate the throat, making it easier to swallow food and liquids.
By reducing inflammation and promoting saliva production, Zingiber officinale creams can help alleviate difficulty swallowing, providing relief for individuals suffering from this condition.
- Gather ingredients: 2 cups of coconut oil, 1 cup of beeswax, 1/2 cup of shea butter, 2 tablespoons of Zingiber officinale (ginger) oil, 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil.
- Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
- Add shea butter to the melted mixture and stir until combined.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add ginger oil and vitamin E oil. Stir well.
- Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool and solidify completely. Once solid, it's ready to use as a cream to help with difficulty swallowing.
3. Aloe barbadensis
Aloe barbadensis creams contains aloin, acemannan, and vitamins A, C, and E. Aloin reduces inflammation in the esophagus, making it easier to swallow food and liquids.
Acemannan has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and calm the tissues of the throat and esophagus. The vitamins in the cream, especially vitamin A, help to heal and protect the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat.
By soothing and protecting these tissues, Aloe barbadensis creams can help to alleviate difficulty swallowing.
- Gather ingredients: 1 cup of aloe vera gel, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of shea butter, 2 tablespoons of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil.
- Melt coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a double boiler over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Remove melted mixture from heat and stir in aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil until well combined.
- Pour mixture into a clean container and let it cool and set at room temperature.
- Once set, use a spoon to scoop out small amounts of the cream and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
4. Melissa officinalis
Melissa officinalis creams contains bioactive constituents like linalool and melissic acid, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
These properties help reduce swelling and irritation in the throat, making it easier to swallow. The antispasmodic properties of Melissa officinalis, specifically due to the presence of linalool, help relax the muscles in the throat, which can become tense and constricted during difficulty swallowing. The soothing and calming effects of Melissa officinalis also help to reduce anxiety and stress, which can exacerbate difficulty swallowing.
By reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and calming the nervous system, Melissa officinalis creams may provide relief from difficulty swallowing.
- Gather ingredients: 1 cup of Melissa officinalis flowers, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of shea butter, and 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil.
- Dry the Melissa officinalis flowers in a low-temperature oven (150°F) for 1 hour to remove moisture.
- Melt the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
- Add the dried Melissa officinalis flowers and vitamin E oil to the melted mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a heat-proof container and let it cool and solidify. Once solid, the Melissa officinalis cream is ready to use.
5. Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea purpurea creams contains active constituents like alkylamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polyphenols.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling in the throat and mouth, making it easier to swallow. The alkylamides in Echinacea purpurea creams also have a soothing effect on mucous membranes, which can become irritated and inflamed when swallowing is difficult. Caffeic acid derivatives in the cream have antioxidant properties that help protect the throat and mouth from damage caused by free radicals.
By reducing inflammation and protecting mucous membranes, Echinacea purpurea creams can help alleviate difficulty swallowing.
- Gather ingredients: 1 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of beeswax, 1/4 cup of shea butter, 2 tablespoons of Echinacea purpurea tincture, and 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil.
- Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
- Once melted, add shea butter and stir until fully incorporated. Remove from heat.
- Let the mixture cool until it reaches 120°F to 130°F. Then, add Echinacea purpurea tincture and vitamin E oil. Stir well.
- Pour the mixture into small containers and let it cool and solidify. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
6. Curcuma longa
Curcuma longa creams contains a compound called curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant.
This compound has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling in the throat and improve swallowing. Curcumin also has a property called bioavailability, which means it can be easily absorbed by the body. Additionally, Curcuma longa creams contain other bioactive constituents like demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, which have similar properties to curcumin.
These compounds work together to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat and esophagus, making it easier to swallow.
- Gather ingredients: 1 cup of coconut oil, 1 cup of shea butter, 1/4 cup of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil, and 2 tablespoons of honey.
- Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
- Add beeswax to the melted mixture and stir until it's fully incorporated.
- Remove the mixture from heat and stir in turmeric powder, vitamin E oil, and honey until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into small containers and let it cool and harden. Once hardened, the Curcuma longa creams are ready to use.
7. Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosmarinus officinalis creams contains rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and borneol as its active constituents.
These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help soothe and calm the throat and esophageal tissues. Rosmarinus officinalis creams can also improve blood circulation, which may reduce swelling and inflammation in the throat area, making it easier to swallow. The antimicrobial properties of rosmarinic acid help combat infections that can cause difficulty swallowing.
By reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy environment in the throat, Rosmarinus officinalis creams can aid in making swallowing more comfortable.
- Gather ingredients: 2 cups of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of shea butter, 1/4 cup of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil, and 2 tablespoons of dried Rosmarinus officinalis leaves.
- Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
- Add beeswax to the melted mixture and stir until it's fully incorporated.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, stir in vitamin E oil and dried Rosmarinus officinalis leaves.
- Pour the mixture into small containers and let it cool and solidify. Once set, your Rosmarinus officinalis cream is ready to use.
FAQ
Can drinking herbal tea prevent difficulty swallowing from forming?
Drinking herbal tea may help prevent difficulty swallowing.
Some herbal teas, like slippery elm, contain properties that soothe and calm the throat. This can help reduce irritation and inflammation, making it easier to swallow.
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in these teas may also help protect the throat from further damage.
Is it safe to consume herbal teas for difficulty swallowing every day?
Herbal teas can be a helpful addition to managing difficulty swallowing.
However, it's essential to consume them in moderation. Drinking too much herbal tea daily can lead to interactions with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.
It's also possible to be allergic to certain herbs, so monitor your body's response and adjust your consumption accordingly.
How long does it take for herbal teas to show results in difficulty swallowing?
The time it takes for herbal teas to show results in difficulty swallowing varies.
Some people notice improvements after a few days or a week of drinking the teas regularly.
However, it may take longer - sometimes up to a month or more - for noticeable changes in swallowing ease.