Painful Swallowing: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Painful swallowing, also known as odynophagia, is a condition characterized by discomfort or pain while eating or swallowing food.

This condition can be caused by various factors such as oral infections, acid reflux, throat irritation, or underlying medical conditions like esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If left untreated, painful swallowing can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. To alleviate this condition, herbal remedies like slippery elm, marshmallow root, and licorice root can be used to soothe and protect the mucous membranes.

However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of painful swallowing, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of painful swallowing?

The main causes of painful swallowing are primarily related to esophageal disorders, with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) being the most common cause, affecting up to 20% of the global population, characterized by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation of the esophageal mucosa.

Other causes include esophagitis, caused by infections such as candidiasis or herpes simplex, and esophageal strictures, resulting from scarring and narrowing of the esophagus due to inflammation or trauma. Furthermore, conditions such as achalasia, a motor disorder of the esophagus, and esophageal tumors or cancer can also cause painful swallowing. Additionally, certain medications, such as chemotherapy or steroids, can cause esophagitis as a side effect.

In some cases, painful swallowing can be a symptom of a systemic disease, such as scleroderma or amyloidosis.

• Aging Gastroesophageal Reflux: Aging gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain.
• Acid Reflux: Acid reflux is a common cause of painful swallowing, often caused by the stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining and causing pain.
• Oral Cancer: Oral cancer is a common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the growth of abnormal cells in the mouth or throat, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Thyroid Nodules: Thyroid nodules are a common cause of painful swallowing, often causing compression or inflammation of the esophagus, leading to pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Esophageal Diverticula: Esophageal diverticula are a common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the formation of pouches in the esophagus, causing food to accumulate and leading to pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Esophageal Stricture: Esophageal stricture is a common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from scarring or narrowing of the esophagus, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Hypopharyngeal cancer is a common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the growth of abnormal cells in the hypopharynx, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Oesophageal Achalasia: Oesophageal achalasia is a less common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, causing food to accumulate and leading to pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Mediastinal Tumors: Mediastinal tumors are a less common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the growth of abnormal cells in the mediastinum, causing compression or inflammation of the esophagus, leading to pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Pharyngeal Pouches: Pharyngeal pouches are a less common cause of painful swallowing, often resulting from the formation of pouches in the pharynx, causing food to accumulate and leading to pain and difficulty swallowing.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for painful swallowing?

The main medicinal herbs used for painful swallowing are Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Aloe barbadensis, Althaea officinalis, Cinchona officinalis, Panax ginseng, Curcuma longa, Astragalus membranaceus, Echinacea purpurea, Ulmus rubra.

Glycyrrhiza glabra contains glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling in the throat. Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols, which exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate pain and inflammation in the throat. Althaea officinalis has mucilaginous properties that can soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the throat, while Aloe barbadensis contains aloin, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can reduce inflammation and prevent infection.

Additionally, Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce pain and inflammation, while Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Echinacea purpurea, and Ulmus rubra have adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects that can help the body adapt to stress and promote healing.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with painful swallowing due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce inflammation and irritation in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with painful swallowing due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with painful swallowing due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which may reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Althaea officinalis: Althaea officinalis helps with painful swallowing due to its mucilaginous properties, which may soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the throat and esophagus, reducing inflammation and discomfort.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis does not have a direct link to helping with painful swallowing.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng may help with painful swallowing due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa helps with painful swallowing due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which may relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus may help with painful swallowing due to its immunomodulatory properties, which may stimulate the immune system to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea may help with painful swallowing due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat and esophageal mucosa.
• Ulmus rubra: Ulmus rubra does not have a direct link to helping with painful swallowing.

What are the main herbal preparations used for painful swallowing?

The main herbal preparations used for painful swallowing are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Poultice, Salve, Lozenge, Cream, Ointment, Suppository, Gel.

Decoction involves steeping herbs like slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) to release mucilages that soothe the esophagus, reducing inflammation and discomfort. Tincture of herbs such as aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) can be applied topically as a mouthwash to reduce pain and inflammation. Capsules or tablets containing herbs like marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) can be swallowed to provide localized relief from painful swallowing.

Additionally, topical preparations like poultices, salves, lozenges, creams, ointments, suppositories, and gels containing anti-inflammatory and analgesic herbs like arnica (Arnica montana) and menthol can be applied to the affected area to provide relief from pain and discomfort.

• Decoction: A decoction of the anti-inflammatory herb Boswellia serrata is effective in treating painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and pain in the throat and esophagus.
• Tincture: A tincture of the analgesic herb Zanthoxylum bungeanum is used to relieve painful swallowing by numbing the pain receptors in the throat and esophagus.
• Capsule: Capsules containing the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin from Curcuma longa help alleviate painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the throat and esophagus.
• Poultice: A warm poultice made from the anti-inflammatory herb Plantago major is applied to the throat to relieve painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and promoting blood flow to the area.
• Salve: A salve containing the anti-inflammatory compound eucalyptol from Eucalyptus globulus is applied to the throat to relieve painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and promoting expectoration of mucus.
• Lozenge: Lozenges containing the analgesic compound menthol from Mentha piperita are used to relieve painful swallowing by numbing the pain receptors in the throat and esophagus.
• Cream: A cream containing the anti-inflammatory compound aloe vera from Aloe barbadensis is applied to the throat to relieve painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the mucous membranes.
• Ointment: An ointment containing the anti-inflammatory compound tea tree oil from Melaleuca alternifolia is applied to the throat to relieve painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and promoting antibacterial activity.
• Suppository: Suppositories containing the anti-inflammatory compound glycyrrhizin from Glycyrrhiza glabra are inserted into the rectum to relieve painful swallowing by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the mucous membranes in the throat and esophagus.
• Gel: A gel containing the anti-inflammatory compound hyaluronic acid from Aloe barbadensis is applied to the throat to relieve painful swallowing by retaining moisture and reducing inflammation in the mucous membranes.