Difficulty Chewing: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Difficulty chewing, also known as dysphagia, is a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing or manipulating food within the mouth, often resulting in discomfort, pain, or impaired nutrition.

Causes include neurological disorders, oral infections, dental problems, and conditions such as Parkinson's disease or stroke. Untreated, dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. Herbal remedies, such as slippery elm and marshmallow root, can provide relief by soothing irritated tissues and reducing inflammation.

However, precautions must be taken when using medicinal herbs, as some may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of difficulty chewing, 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 difficulty chewing?

The main causes of difficulty chewing are dental issues such as tooth loss, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which affect 10 million Americans.

Other causes include neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, which affects 1 million people in the US, and conditions that affect the muscles of mastication, such as myasthenia gravis. Difficulty chewing can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, particularly those affecting the muscles and nerves, such as vitamin B12 deficiency. Trauma to the jaw or face can also lead to difficulty chewing, with 40% of patients with TMJ disorders reporting a history of trauma.

Additionally, certain medications, such as sedatives and antidepressants, can cause difficulty chewing by affecting the muscles of mastication.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing pain and limited mobility, leading to difficulty chewing due to inflammation and reduced range of motion in the jaw.
• Gum Disease: Gum Disease is an infection of the gums that can cause inflammation and destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth, leading to difficulty chewing due to pain, abscesses, and loss of teeth and surrounding bone tissue.
• Dry Mouth: Dry Mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition characterized by a lack of saliva in the mouth, leading to difficulty chewing due to the inability to break down food properly and the increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Oral Cancer: Oral Cancer is a type of cancer that can cause difficulty chewing due to the growth of tumors in the mouth, throat, or tongue, leading to pain, difficulty swallowing, and the inability to chew food properly.
• Dental Abscess: Dental Abscess is a painful infection of the teeth or gums that can cause difficulty chewing due to pain, swelling, and the potential loss of teeth if left untreated.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth Decay is a bacterial infection of the teeth that can cause difficulty chewing due to pain, sensitivity, and the potential loss of teeth if left untreated.
• Jaw Injury: Jaw Injury, such as a fracture or trauma, can cause difficulty chewing due to pain, swelling, and the potential for limited mobility in the jaw.
• Dental Implants Failure: Dental Implants Failure is a condition where dental implants fail to integrate with the surrounding bone tissue, leading to difficulty chewing due to the potential for implant failure and the loss of teeth.
• Medication Side Effects: Medication Side Effects, such as those caused by medications for high blood pressure, depression, or cancer, can cause difficulty chewing due to dry mouth, muscle weakness, or other side effects that can affect the muscles and nerves involved in chewing.
• Neurological Disorders: Neurological Disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, can cause difficulty chewing due to muscle weakness, tremors, or other neurological symptoms that can affect the muscles and nerves involved in chewing.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for difficulty chewing?

The main medicinal herbs used for difficulty chewing are Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Cinchona officinalis, Silybum marianum, Echinacea purpurea, Centella asiatica, Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, Salvia officinalis.

Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain and swelling associated with gum disease, a common cause of difficulty chewing. Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that may help soothe and heal gum inflammation. Zingiber officinale, or ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders, which can cause difficulty chewing.

Other herbs, such as Cinchona officinalis, Silybum marianum, Echinacea purpurea, Centella asiatica, Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, and Salvia officinalis, may also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the mouth and jaw.

• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with difficulty chewing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the oral cavity and promote healing of mucous membranes, thus alleviating pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, is beneficial for difficulty chewing due to its anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce inflammation and irritation in the mouth and throat, as well as its soothing effects on mucous membranes, which can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, helps with difficulty chewing due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which may reduce pain and inflammation in the oral cavity and promote healing of mucous membranes, thus alleviating pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, contains quinine, which may have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum, or milk thistle, does not have a direct effect on difficulty chewing, but its antioxidant properties may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which can contribute to overall oral health.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea, or coneflower, may help boost the immune system, which can aid in the recovery from oral infections or inflammation that may contribute to difficulty chewing.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica, or gotu kola, contains compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the oral cavity and promote healing of mucous membranes, thus alleviating pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus, or astragalus, may have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects that can help reduce inflammation and promote healing of mucous membranes in the oral cavity, thus alleviating pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng, or ginseng, may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which can contribute to overall oral health and potentially alleviate difficulty chewing.
• Salvia officinalis: Salvia officinalis, or sage, contains compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the oral cavity and promote healing of mucous membranes, thus alleviating pain and discomfort associated with difficulty chewing.

What are the main herbal preparations used for difficulty chewing?

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

Tincture is used for its bioavailability and ease of absorption, often containing herbs like ginger to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Decoction is used for its solvent properties, extracting active compounds from herbs like turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Salve and Ointment are topical preparations applied directly to the mouth, providing localized relief with ingredients like menthol and camphor, which numb the pain.

Lozenges and Suppositories can be used to deliver a concentrated dose of herbal compounds, such as myrrh and licorice root, directly to the affected area, providing quick relief from difficulty chewing.

• Tincture: A tincture of Echinacea purpurea, which contains anti-inflammatory compounds, may help reduce swelling in the mouth and jaw, thereby alleviating difficulty in chewing.
• Decoction: A decoction of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) may help soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the mouth, reducing inflammation and discomfort associated with difficulty in chewing.
• Salve: A salve of Calendula officinalis may provide topical relief for mouth sores and inflammation, thereby making it easier to chew and swallow.
• Capsule: A capsule of Capsaicin, derived from Capsicum annuum, may be used to reduce pain and inflammation in the mouth and jaw, making it easier to chew and swallow.
• Ointment: An ointment of Aloe vera may help soothe and calm mouth sores and inflammation, reducing discomfort and difficulty in chewing.
• Gel: A gel of Ginkgo biloba may help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the mouth and jaw, thereby alleviating difficulty in chewing.
• Suppository: A suppository of Arnica montana may provide local relief for inflammation and pain in the mouth and jaw, making it easier to chew and swallow.
• Cream: A cream of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) may help soothe and calm mouth sores and inflammation, reducing discomfort and difficulty in chewing.
• Lozenge: A lozenge of Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) may help soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the mouth, reducing inflammation and discomfort associated with difficulty in chewing.
• Poultice: A poultice of Plantain (Plantago major) may be used to reduce swelling and inflammation in the mouth and jaw, thereby alleviating difficulty in chewing.