Tickling Throat: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A tickling throat, medically known as globus pharyngeus, is a sensation where an individual feels as though there is a foreign object, such as a lump or a tickling sensation, at the back of the throat, often accompanied by difficulty swallowing.

This condition can be caused by anxiety, stress, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or irritation of the throat. If left untreated, tickling throat can lead to difficulty swallowing, discomfort, and in severe cases, aspiration of food into the lungs. To alleviate this condition, individuals can try using soothing herbal remedies such as slippery elm, licorice root, or marshmallow root, which can be consumed as teas, tinctures, or lozenges.

However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or allergies, as some herbs may interact with medications or exacerbate certain conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of tickling throat, 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 tickling throat?

The main causes of tickling throat are primarily due to irritation of the mucous membranes in the throat.

This irritation can be caused by postnasal drip, where mucus from the nasal passages drips down the back of the throat, triggering a tickling sensation. Other causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which allows stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus and throat, causing irritation and discomfort. Inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids, often due to a viral or bacterial infection, can also cause a tickling sensation in the throat.

Additionally, dry air, allergies, and sinus infections can contribute to a tickling throat by drying out the mucous membranes and causing irritation.

• Postnasal Drip: Postnasal drip, caused by excess mucus from the nasal passages flowing down the back of the throat, can tickle the throat due to the sudden change in temperature and the presence of irritants such as allergens, cold air, and dry air.
• Acid Reflux: Acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid flows up into the throat, can tickle the throat due to the irritation of the esophagus and the throat by the acidic stomach contents.
• Dry Throat: A dry throat, caused by low humidity, air conditioning, or overuse of mouthwash or cough drops, can tickle the throat due to the lack of mucus and the presence of irritants such as dust and pollutants.
• Irritants: Inhaled irritants, such as smoke, pollution, and strong odors, can tickle the throat due to the irritation of the mucous membranes and the presence of foreign particles.
• Allergies: Allergies, caused by an overreaction of the immune system to substances such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, can tickle the throat due to the inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages and the throat.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, and mononucleosis, can tickle the throat due to the inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes and the presence of viral particles.
• Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections, such as strep throat and pneumonia, can tickle the throat due to the inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes and the presence of bacterial toxins.
• Throat Injuries: Throat injuries, caused by trauma, surgery, or intubation, can tickle the throat due to the irritation of the mucous membranes and the presence of foreign objects or substances.
• Tumors: Tumors, either benign or malignant, can tickle the throat due to the irritation and pressure on the mucous membranes and the presence of abnormal cells.
• Gastroesophageal Disease: Gastroesophageal disease, a condition in which the esophagus and stomach do not function properly, can tickle the throat due to the irritation and inflammation of the esophagus and the throat by stomach acid and other substances.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, caused by menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can tickle the throat due to the changes in hormone levels and the presence of irritants such as dry air and allergens.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for tickling throat?

The main medicinal herbs used for tickling throat are Glycyrrhiza glabra, Echinacea purpurea, Zingiber officinale, Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus vulgaris, Sambucus nigra, Ginkgo biloba, Mentha x piperita, Lavandula angustifolia, Achillea millefolium.

Glycyrrhiza glabra contains glycyrrhizin which has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that help soothe and thin mucus, reducing tickling sensation. Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra have immunomodulatory effects that support the body's natural defenses against infections, such as common cold and flu, which can cause tickling throat. Zingiber officinale, Eucalyptus globulus, and Mentha x piperita possess expectorant and decongestant properties that help loosen and clear mucus from the throat, reducing tickling sensation.

Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula angustifolia, and Achillea millefolium have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and combat infections in the throat, thereby alleviating tickling sensation.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps alleviate tickling in the throat due to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties, which soothe the mucous membranes and reduce irritation.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea, or coneflower, assists in relieving tickling in the throat by boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation, thus helping to combat infections that cause throat discomfort.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, helps alleviate tickling in the throat due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce swelling and pain, and also due to its expectorant properties, which help to loosen and clear mucus.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus, or eucalyptus, helps relieve tickling in the throat due to its decongestant and expectorant properties, which help to clear mucus and reduce inflammation, thus alleviating congestion and discomfort.
• Thymus vulgaris: Thymus vulgaris, or thyme, assists in relieving tickling in the throat due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to combat infections and reduce inflammation, thus alleviating throat discomfort.
• Sambucus nigra: Sambucus nigra, or elderberry, helps alleviate tickling in the throat due to its antiviral properties, which help to combat viral infections that cause throat discomfort, and its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation and irritation.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, or ginkgo, may help alleviate tickling in the throat due to its antioxidant properties, which help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, but its effectiveness in this regard is not well established.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps relieve tickling in the throat due to its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to loosen and clear mucus, and reduce inflammation and irritation.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, or lavender, may help alleviate tickling in the throat due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce anxiety and inflammation, but its effectiveness in this regard is not well established.
• Achillea millefolium: Achillea millefolium, or yarrow, assists in relieving tickling in the throat due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which help to reduce inflammation and combat infections that cause throat discomfort.

What are the main herbal preparations used for tickling throat?

The main herbal preparations used for tickling throat are Decoction, Lozenges, Tincture, Capsules, Tea, Elixir, Syrup, Gargle, Poultice, Salve.

Decoction involves boiling herbs in water to extract their active compounds, which helps to soothe and calm the throat. Lozenges, on the other hand, contain concentrated herbal extracts that are designed to be sucked or chewed to provide rapid relief. Tincture, Capsules, and Tea also contain concentrated herbal extracts, but in different forms, which can be easily absorbed into the body to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Herbal Elixir and Syrup are liquid preparations that combine herbs with sugar or honey to create a soothing and flavorful drink, while Gargle, Poultice, and Salve are topical preparations used to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the throat, and are often used in combination with other preparations to provide comprehensive relief.

• Decoction: Decoction of Glycyrrhiza glabra root helps with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as glycyrrhizin, which possess anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, reducing irritation and inflammation in the throat.
• Lozenges: Lozenges containing Mentha piperita essential oil help with tickling throat by releasing its menthol content, which acts as a natural expectorant, thinning mucus and providing temporary pain relief, thereby reducing coughing and discomfort.
• Tincture: Tincture of Echinacea purpurea helps with tickling throat by releasing its immunomodulatory compounds, such as alkylamides, which boost the immune system, reducing the severity and duration of respiratory infections and alleviating associated throat discomfort.
• Capsules: Capsules containing Zingiber officinale powder help with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as gingerols, which possess anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, reducing inflammation and mucus production in the throat, thereby providing relief.
• Tea: Tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves helps with tickling throat by releasing its flavonoids, such as catechins, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the throat, thereby alleviating discomfort.
• Elixir: Elixir of Sambucus nigra flowers helps with tickling throat by releasing its antiviral compounds, such as sambunigrin, which possess immunomodulatory properties, boosting the immune system and reducing the severity of respiratory infections, thereby alleviating associated throat discomfort.
• Syrup: Syrup made from Thymus vulgaris extract helps with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as thymol, which possess antimicrobial and expectorant properties, reducing mucus production and promoting healing in the throat, thereby providing relief.
• Gargle: Gargling with a solution containing Salvia officinalis extract helps with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as carnosic acid, which possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, reducing inflammation and bacterial growth in the throat, thereby alleviating discomfort.
• Poultice: Poultice made from Plantago lanceolata leaves helps with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as aucubin, which possess anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the throat, thereby providing relief.
• Salve: Salve made from Eucalyptus globulus extract helps with tickling throat by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as eucalyptol, which possess decongestant and expectorant properties, reducing mucus production and promoting healing in the throat, thereby providing relief.