Love Your Lymph
The lymphatic system consists of nodes, ducts, vessels, and glands designed to support the body in cleansing and maintaining a balance of fluid. Part of the immune system, it facilitates the production of lymphocytes to defend the body against pathogens. A common misconception in the health and wellness space todays is that “the body cleanses itself…” While the body has incredible innate cleansing and detoxification mechanisms, we live in a world where we are exposed to more toxins than before. Unfortunately, the body becomes overburdened and cannot effectively cleanse and detox all of the toxins on its own and needs additional cleansing support through food, hydration, and other wellness practices.
When the liver is sluggish and stagnant it cannot filter the toxins, pathogens, and chemicals from the blood as efficiently– becoming overburdened, these toxins then overflow into our lymphatic system. The lymphatic system lies superficially to the skin and when it becomes clogged with the toxins, chemicals, and pathogens it pushes them out of the body by way of the skin… So the vast array of skin conditions illuminate an overburdened liver and a stagnant lymphatic system.
Your lymphatic system lies superficially beneath the skin. The lymphatic system does not have a pump, like the cardiovascular system has the heart. Therefore, movement is necessary to support the circulation and flow of the lymph. The lymph fluid circulates through the body, moves through the capillaries into the blood stream to be processed and eliminated. So many of us have lymphatic systems that are sluggish and stagnant due to the overburdened state of our livers.
To support the lymphatic system we must focus on ways to support and cleanse our livers. There are so many foods and supplements that support the liver and lymphatic system. A myriad of ways to support our lymphatic flow exist. The more we know, the more we can take aligned action to reclaim and elevate our health. Below are some ways to support the overall health of the body through foods, supplements, and wellness practices focused on supporting the lymphatic system.
Just a note: While manual therapies like massage, compression therapy, and rebounding etc. are powerful and supportive, if we are not addressing the root of the toxic lymph and fluid retention, the body will return to the toxic stagnant state it was in. Lymphatic flow and health begins within and needs the additional support provided by food, hydration, and supplements.
Health Hindering Foods to Eliminate:
Eggs — feed pathogens like Streptococcus bacteria + Ebstein-Barr Virus (EBV), contain a high fat content which prevents cleansing and clogs the lymph
Dairy — high in fat, clogs lymphatic system + liver, dairy feeds pathogens that cause health symptoms, conditions, and illnesses
Gluten — feeds pathogens like Streptococcus bacteria and EBV, it creates digestive distress and promotes inflammation.
Canola Oil + Other Processed Oils (soybean, safflower, etc.) — creates inflammation, free radicals + oxidation, high fat content burdens the liver and slows the lymphatic flow.
Alcohol — dehydrates the body + skin, creates acidity, taxes the liver, and promotes premature aging.
Caffeine — dehydrates the body and skin, accelerates aging, creates acidity, taxes the adrenals, + hinders collagen formation. Caffeine is hard on the adrenals, liver, and lymph.
Healing Foods to Incorporate to Support Your Lymphatic System:
The foods we eat directly impact the quality and health of our livers and lymphatic systems. It is important to reduce the amount of fat we are consuming as it thickens the blood and prevents cleansing from occurring. It is also important to be mindful
Aloe Vera— provides cellular hydration, purifies the blood, decreases inflammation, and supports the liver and lymphatic system.
Apples— amazingly hydrating and cleansing, apples nourish the liver and support a healthy and strong lymphatic flow.
Citrus— incredibly alkalizing and remineralizing, the citrus supports the immune system, cleanses the liver, and detoxifies the lymph.
Leafy Greens— alkalizing in nature, leafy greens provide necessary nutrients and amino acids to the body and support it in cleansing and healing.
Melons— incredibly hydrating and healing, they require less energy for digestion as they are predigested, contain “living water” that nourishes the body on a cellular level.
Pineapple— one of the most potent lymphatic detoxifiers, pineapple purges the liver and lymph of toxins and pathogenic waste.
Hydration to Support Your Lymphatic System:
Hydration plays a pivotal part in revitalizing the health of our livers and lymph. The more hydrated we are, the more we can cleanse and flush toxins out of our bodies that have been contributing to the health symptoms we may be experiencing. The vast majority of people have bodies that are chronically dehydrated. When we are dehydrated the body holds onto the fluid, and also the toxins more than it does when we are hydrated.
Celery Juice — anti-viral and anti-bacterial it supports the elimination of pathogens, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the lymph and liver, and clears the skin.
Coconut Water — full of electrolytes and essential trace minerals, coconut water revitalizes the body, cleanses the liver, and supports the lymphatic system.
Cucumber Juice — deeply hydrating and nourishing, cucumber juice restores the liver, provides key nutrients to the cells and reduces inflammation.
Lemon Water — adding lemon to our water makes the water “living” and makes it more hydrating. It helps to detoxify the liver, cleanse the lymphatic system, and hydrate the body on a cellular level.
Melon Juice —melons are one of the most hydrating foods; they support the liver in cleansing + healing
Supplements to Support Your Lymphatic System:
Ashwagandha — an adaptogenic Ayurvedic herb; meaning it helps the body’s response to stress thus minimizing the damaging impact of stress.
Chaga Mushroom Powder — a powerful immune support that strengthens the lymphatic system, enhances liver and cardiovascular health.
Curcumin with Turmeric — a powerful anti-inflammatory that supports circulation, strengthens the immune system, and enhances cellular health.
Vitamin C — Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning our bodies don’t produce it on their own. It’s a potent antioxidant that counteracts the oxidative stress that results from stress
Zinc — is an essential nutrient that our bodies don’t make on their own. So we need to get it through the foods we eat and in supplemental form. It strengthens the immune system and neutralizes pathogens
Nourishing Herbs/Teas:
Dandelion — supports the liver and lymph, flushes toxins from the body, enhances cardiovascular health, and remineralizes the body
Red Clover — a powerful lymphagogue- most incredible herb to support and cleanse the lymphatic system, it provides the body with necessary minerals and nutrients that may be deficient
Burdock Root — supports cleansing of the lymph and live, body detoxification, boosts metabolism, and supports weight loss
Ways to Support Your Lymphatic System:
Dry Brushing — stimulates lymphatic flow, sloughs off old dead skin cells, increases circulation, supports oxygenation and detoxification in the body. One of my favorite daily rituals is dry brushing using a few drops of dōTERRA Eucalyptus Essential Oil, a lymph loving oil, before I bathe. This practice is done moving the brush in the direction of the lymphatic flow and brushing towards the heart. The brush I use for dry brushing has softer bristles that do not scratch my skin. When brushing your body simply apply a light pressure as the lymphatic system lies superficially to the skin and does not require a lot of pressure.
Rebounding — jumping for at least 10 minutes a day multiple times a week does wonders for the body. The muscle contraction and movement stimulates the flow of the lymph; detoxifies the body, cleanses the liver, increases blood flow, and supports the immune system and whole body healing.
Gua Sha — a simple practice from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gua Sha involves using metal or stone tools to gently “scrape” the face and body to stimulate circulation, promote lymphatic flow and drainage, and increase oxygenation. It decreases inflammation, minimizes fluid retention, and supports detoxification of the lymph. Here is one of my favorite Gua Sha tools: Facial Gua Sha
Infrared Sauna — penetrates the deep layers of the body promoting detoxification, supports the lymphatic system, increases blood flow and oxygenation, releases toxins and relieves aches and pains, strengthens the immune system
Massage — healing touch supports lymphatic flow, enhances circulation, relieves tension, and promotes detoxification.
Compression Therapy — mobilizes the lymphatic fluid and boosts circulation, compression therapy increases blood flow to certain areas of the body which increases oxygenation of the tissues.
Lymph Cleaning Tips:
Lemon Water — Drink 16-32 ounces of lemon water after compression therapy, massage, Gua Sha, rebounding or any other lymphatic system release drink to compound the benefits of the lymphatic drainage. This will greatly enhance the cleansing and clearing of the lymph.
Red Clover Tea — If you desire, have a cup of Red Clover Tea following the lemon water to enhance the elimination of the toxins, so the body does not reabsorb them after being mobilized from the movement, manual lymph drainage, etc. Red Clover is the most potent lymphagogue, that will deeply cleanse + revitalize the lymphatic system, purging toxins that make it sluggish.
