To say that the lymphatic system is an important immune and overall paramount system in the body is an understatement. It is an intrinsic and COMPLICATED NETWORK of fluid-filled nodes, vessels, glands and organs. The lymphatic system touches almost every part of the body. Although we may not feel or see it, it’s one of the most important (and often forgotten) systems of the human body. Just like the liver, kidneys, and mouth, it’s important to give the lymph the attention it deserves. It helps regulate the balance of all fluid in your body. And its most important function? Detoxification.
The lymphatic system’s main function is to cleanse toxins and protect against harmful invaders. It works by carrying our body’s waste away from the tissues and into the bloodstream. It tackles toxins that are introduced to the body from both external means (food, air, personal care products, water) as well as internal ones (damaged proteins and cellular/metabolic waste), making it a key detoxification pathway. Once the toxins enter the bloodstream, they are purified through the largest lymphatic tissue in the body, the spleen. The spleen is our main immune defense, fighting infection, holding a reserve of red and white blood cells and destroying worn-out red blood cells in the body.
Through lymph nodes and the lymphatic network, your immune cells can travel around fighting pathogens, such as bacteria and mold, and preventing disease and infection. This is why keeping your lymphatic system functioning properly is directly related to the overall health of the body: a stronger lymphatic system means a more resilient and reactive immune response and defense.
The problem is that, unlike blood, lymph does not have a pump. It relies on the relaxation and the contraction of the muscles and joints to move it. Your lymphatic system can easily become stagnant, especially when it becomes overwhelmed with toxic debris. This not only leads impaired immunity and disease
It’s the lymph system’s job to pick up and dispose of cellular “trash” like white blood cells, bacteria, viruses, toxins and other molecular debris from every tissue in your body. That’s crucial, since all cells make waste as a byproduct of their normal processes, plus white blood cells and antibodies are constantly patrolling tissue outside of blood for pathogens and other harmful cells to destroy,
How do you know if you're suffering from lymphatic congestion?
-Swollen and Stiffness, especially in the morning
-Constipation
-Sore throat
-Enlarged/tender lymph nodes
-Fatigue
-Itchy and dry skin
-Bloating
-Breast swelling with each cycle
-Brain fog
-Stubborn weight gain
-Chronic sinusitis, sore throats, colds, or ear issues
-Cellulite
-Cold hands and feet
-Congestion
– Confusion
-Clogged ears
-Sore throat
-Inflamed tonsils
-Frequent viruses or infections
-Retaining fluids
-Unexplained soreness
-Food or chemical sensitivities
-Increased allergies
Every time a client is tested by me, we make sure their “channels of elimination” and the lymphatic system are open for optimal health and drainage…
Activating your lymphatic system does NOT require a trip to the doctor or a prescription.
Though it is possible to get a professional lymph drainage massage, there are plenty of ways to move lymphatic fluid right from the comfort of your home. The biggest focus for lymphatic health is movement of any type – exercise, yoga, or stretching can be beneficial to boost your body’s natural drainage and detox capabilities. Other lifestyle choices, like eating a clean real food diet, dry skin brushing, and using essential oils absolutely help, too.
✏️ The lymphatic system works like a drain. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the circulatory system's veins and capillaries.
✏️ It detoxifies the body, removes the waste and makes sure the offensive substances, such as parasites, molds, bacteria, allergens, heavy metals, fungi, chemicals, trans fats and more.
✏️ It supports every other system in the body in order to run optimally and is crucial for your immunity.
✏️ Ignoring the health of your lymphatic system means your immunity is going to suffer, and you’re more likely to deal with common illnesses and even long-term health problems.
✏️ Lymph drainage is very important prerequisite to detoxification.
✏️ If you can drain the body better, opening up your lymphatic system to promote release of toxins, you reduce detox reactions or ‘healing crises. and help reduce your incidence of dis-ease.
Naturopathic Therapies to Help Detox Your Lymphatic System
- Strong Probiotics. These help to dissolve and purge pathogens from the gut to the liver, kidney, liver and skin. This strain is esepcially effective for retroviruses.
- Strong Digestive Enzymes. These help break down food as well as pathogens systemically, which in turn helps take the burden off your body.
- *Coffee Enemas. Read all the details and instructions here. *Hands down – one of the best therapies to reduce whole body burden. Coffee enemas boost glutathione s-transferase by up to 700%, which is one of the body's master antioxidants and is involved in different phases of detoxification. Hold the enema for 15 minutes for the coffee to be absorbed through the hemorrhoidal vein to reach the liver. (Any enema will be beneficial, it doesn't have to be coffee, it can also be acv, warm water, probiotic, etc..)
- Dry skin brushing. I love this! It helps detoxify by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage. Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also stimulates your nervous system, which can make you feel invigorated afterward, alive! Brush up from the feet to the chest, particularly your left chest, because that’s where your thoracic duct is, which is what drains all the lymphatics into your blood system.
- Rebounding. I have two rebounders and use them daily! Rebounding has anti-inflammatory effects, it strengthens the heart. Helps circulate oxygen to tissues, aids lymphatic circulation, increases lung capacity and help lower blood pressure.
- Essential oils, specially on lymph points. Young Living EO's are beneficial for improving blood flow and reducing swelling in the
lymph nodes. And these include Young Living Lemon, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Oregano, Cypress, Frankincense oils, I love essential oils, I use them almost on a daily basis. I use a lot of lavender and citrus blends are great for improving lymph flow and for detoxification in general. - Legs up the Wall. Much lymphatic fluids flow counter to gravity, so any type of inversion is beneficial to encourage natural movement. While lying on the floor on your back, swing your legs straight up and rest the backs of your legs (from thighs to heel) against the wall for support, creating a 90-degree angle with your body. This is a great practice to do before bed, after a yoga practice, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
- Lemon Water. Lemon juice acts as a digestive and a detoxifying agent and helps in cleaning the liver leading to better digestive and lymphatic health. As a rich source of vitamin C, lemon juice protects the body from Immune system deficiencies. Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body.
- Infrared sauna. I absolutely love saunas because they instantly calm and relax from you head to toe and are super supportive for optimizing gene expression and your emotional and physical health. And most importantly, they activate our greatest detox organ… OUR SKIN! A huge landmark study found that the more men used a sauna, the lower the risk for sudden cardiac arrest, fatal cardiovascular disease, fatal coronary heart disease and all-caused mortality. *Basically, the more you sauna, the lower your risk is for premature death. I have the Tesla of all sauna's! I have the Clear light Sanctuary 3. Mention NATUROPATH MELISSA when ordering and get $100 off and free shipping on your sauna. It was the BEST investment in my health.
- Ionic Foot Detox Bath. They help purge heavy metals, yeast, parasites, bacteria, viruses all of which burden the immune and lymphatic system., help reduce, inflammation, detoxify the liver and assist with internal cleansing with full-body purge.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Drinking 1 oz diluted with water, three times per day is a game changer. It helps to purge parasites, bacteria and other pathogens.
- Detox Baths. They help draw out toxins and relax you at the same time.
- Yoga. Most yoga poses help stimulate the lymphatic system and move lymph through the 600 to 700 lymph nodes that are in your body.
- Get the chemicals out. Switch and ditch, chemical cleaners, self-care and beauty items for plant based non-toxic products, this is what I use. I no longer have breathing and lung issues.
- Deep stretching. Deep stretching encourages the contraction and relaxation of muscle which push debris out of organs and decreases the likelihood of debris build up and becoming stagnant. A simple stretch upon waking up is an easy way to initiate the circulation of lymph fluid throughout your body.
- Strong Probiotics. Spore probiotics help dissolve retroviruses and other stealth pathogens.
- Detox teas daily. My favorite is Pau D'Arco.
- Lean on enzymes and herbs for liver support. Ox bile, HCL, choline, phosfood, etc…
Raw greens. Greens are very detoxing for your lymph and digestive system. Get at least 1-3 servings in per day.- Lymphatic drainage remedies. This formula is superb! Brain fog? Memory issues? If your lymphatic system isn’t moving, you’re living with toxicity. Lymphatic Detox is a BioActive Carbon product that focuses on drainage and immune support throughout the lymphatic system, creating the motion to support drainage.
- Wear cotton and loose fitting clothes. Breath-ability! Because cotton is a natural product and because of the way it is designed and manufactured into clothing, it has many advantages, such as its ability to control moisture, insulate, provide comfort and it is also hypoallergenic, weatherproof and is a durable fabric.
What are some therapies that you recommend or have worked for you that are not on my list?
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