How You Can Boost Lymphatic System Function at Home – 8 Easy Tips:
Did you know that we are exposed to over 82,000 different toxins in our environment? When toxins build up and if we don’t detox our system regularly, our organs become overburdened which compromises our overall health.
The lymphatic system is important because it helps to cleanse the connective tissue fluid that surrounds the cells in your body by removing impurities and waste products. This lymphatic drainage cleanses our cells by absorbing excess fluids, fats, proteins, and toxins from our tissues and into the blood, and then it is eventually filtered out by the kidneys.
The lymphatic system is in the news now more than ever before. The scientists have recently made a new discovery!! They uncovered a new organ. The interstitium, the shock-absorbing tissue underneath the skin, gut, and blood vessels, has recently been identified as an organ, according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The fluid in the interstitium drains into the lymphatic system, which plays a vital role in the immune system. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-23062-6
Healthy lymphatic drainage is essential for the cells in the body to function properly. An unhealthy lymphatic system with bad lymphatic drainage and lymphatic function can lead to serious health problems and contribute to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity, aches and pains, bloating, and problems with digestion.
Your lymphatic system can easily become stagnant, especially when it becomes overwhelmed with all the toxins that abound. This can lead to impaired immunity and disease, and also swelling and stagnation which can lead to low energy and allergies. Sluggish lymphatic flow and drainage can also contribute to chronic sinusitis; swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weight gain and excess fluid retention, constipation, back pain, depression, and others.
Tips To Boost both Lymphatic System Function and the Immune System
There are some simple steps to take to keep our lymphatic system flowing and to have good lymphatic drainage. When the lymph is functioning optimally, we can remain vibrant and vital and our immune system will be strong.
1. Diet -Maintain a healthy anti-inflammatory diet.
Today, many nutritionists and diet specialists cling to the old Hippocrates saying, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” We agree! Experts really do recommend certain foods to cleanse the lymphatic system (as well as foods to stay away from. . .)
Foods to improve lymphatic drainage
Tea polyphenols, particularly green tea catechins, are potent antioxidants and fight inflammation, DNA damage, and LDL oxidation. They are therefore well equipped to counteract the oxidative damage and inflammation associated with aging, smoking, consuming a high-fat diet, obesity, and lack of physical exercise,
Foods to cleanse the lymphatic system
Drink plenty of water and eat a “clean” diet with an abundance of leafy green vegetables and antioxidant foods, such as blackberries and blueberries. Eat healthy organic fats such as nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, organic ghee, and butter. Eliminate processed, packaged, fast foods, refined flour, and sugar, as these can cause inflammation and congest your lymphatic system
Foods for swollen lymph nodes
Eat simple alkalizing foods such as chicken or bone broth, miso soup, vegetable juices, and steamed green leafy vegetables. This will be easier on the digestive system, help with liver detoxification, reduce acid, boost immunity and add anti-oxidants to the body.
2. Exercises to improve lymphatic drainage
- To have good lymphatic drainage, It is important to keep the body moving every day.
- Gentle exercises like walking, stretching and swimming are great for moving the lymph. Yoga and Pilates are excellent to work your core and assisting lymphatic drainage. These activities increase the flow of the lymph, relieving congestion and encouraging detoxification.
- Whole Body Vibration Since the lymphatic system contains no pump, the movement of lymph depends on the contractions of the surrounding muscles. When you stand or sit on a whole-body vibration unit most of the movement of lymph is from skeletal muscle contractions. Whole-body vibration units help with enhanced metabolism, increased bone mineral density, reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, elevation of human growth hormone levels, and improved lymphatic flow. To increase the intensity of the exercises and get more stimulation for your muscles or bones, you can increase the frequency or the amplitude
- Rebounding – Gentle bouncing on a rebounder helps to reduce lymphatic congestion, stimulate lymph flow, and exercise every cell in the body.
How can you detox your lymphatic system yourself?
3. Dry skin brush
Dry brushing with a natural bristle brush boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage and helps to rid the body of toxins via the skin. Brush in the direction of lymph flow- towards the lymph nodes under the arms (axilla)and toward the nodes in the groin, (inguinal) and in the direction of the heart. It also encourages the movement of lymph and blood in underlying organs and tissues of the body, which helps clear built-up toxins
4. Deep breathing
Slow deep breathing stimulates the lymphatics in the belly and encourages the elimination of wastes and encourages the flow of lymph
5. Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage
Detoxifies and removes metabolic wastes and strengthens and supports the immune system, while reducing swelling & edema, fluid retention. This speeds lymphatic drainage and detoxifies the tissue of wastes. A lymphatic drainage massage is one easy way to detoxify your lymph system and must be done by a skilled practitioner as this will stimulate circulation and drain fat, fluids, toxins, and other waste products away from your cells for proper elimination. https://www.vodderschool.com. “You can read all about my training, credentials, leadership in the lymphatic disorder world and all the conferences where I have presented below. www.LymphaticTherapyServices.com Right now, I want to tell you that I, myself, suffered from Lipedema, a fat disorder, and imbalance of the lymphatic system, for years before finding solutions to reduce my pants size 3 sizes. It took me years, but . . . It took just three months to get my lymphatic drainage working properly. Today, my own treatments consist of lymphatic massage, an anti-inflammatory diet, Pilates, yoga, whole-body vibration.
6. Infrared Sauna.
An infrared sauna is also an excellent way to support lymphatic drainage, as the sweat excreted through your skin can help release the toxic burden on your lymphatic system and allow it to work more effectively.
7. Proteolytic enzymes
Such as bromelain, papain, protease, serrapeptase, and nattokinase enzymes, help with congestion in the lymphatic system, promoting healthy inflammatory responses. They work with the body to boost the immune system and help recovery and repair after surgery or an injury.
8. Castor oil packs
Apply a castor oil pack on the lower right abdomen, over the liver area. Take a cotton cloth, folded in several layers, and saturate it with cold-pressed castor oil. Apply this cloth on the skin for about an hour or overnight. Cover with saran wrap and then a warm heating pad. The castor oil pack will increase circulation of lymphatic fluids and lymphatic drainage, boost lymphatic function, reduce inflammation and improve your digestive system.
Here’s to a healthy lymphatic system and a vibrant life!
Linda Anne Kahn is an Aromatic Wellness Warrior and a certified Dr Vodder’s lymphedema therapist with over 25 years of experience. She is the founder and President of Beauty Kliniek Aromatherapy Day Spa in San
Diego California and Lymphatic Therapy Services of San Diego www.lymphatictherapyservices.com www.beautykliniek.com