The lymphatic system neutralizes toxins, purifies the body, and transports infection-fighting cells. It is an essential part of the immune system, yet we often overlook it.
Various factors like exposure to toxins, food allergies, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle can create an excess of waste in the lymph fluid. The lymphatic system becomes sluggish or congested, which can lead to ear and sinus infections, edema, respiratory infections, and swollen glands. These conditions can affect the overall health of your immune system.
How to naturally improve your lymphatic system
The holistic techniques highlighted in this article will help you unclog, stimulate, and cleanse your lymph system naturally.
EAT RAW, ORGANIC FOODS
One of the ways you can clear your congested lymphatic system is by consuming more raw foods—especially fruits and vegetables, which have naturally-occurring enzymes that help break down toxins and promote their exit.
Fruits and veggies also increase the water level in the body and help to hydrate it. At the same time, their healthy amounts of fiber improve intestinal function, enabling intestinal fluids to migrate to lymph nodes.
Raw foods also tend to be alkaline, helping to neutralize pathogens and relieve the burden on the lymphatic system.
Also, try to reduce your consumption of lymph-clogging foods like sugar, dairy, gluten, and processed foods.
REBOUNDING
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system lacks a pump. Instead, the body moves lymph via the movement of muscles and joints. You can stimulate the flow of lymph throughout the body by rebounding (jumping on a trampoline) for 10 to 30 minutes.
If you don’t have a trampoline, use a jump rope or do jumping jacks. Jumping up and down (in a relaxed manner) will energize your entire body as your lymph moves around the body.
STAY HYDRATED
Because our lymphatic system is 95 percent water, it is essential to avoid becoming dehydrated. Health experts advise drinking half your weight in ounces of water every day. We recommend drinking pure spring water or purified water, if possible, to reduce your intake of toxins.
For added health benefits, use fresh lemon juice. It adds flavor to the water and gives you amazing benefits such as vitamin C.
TURN THINGS UPSIDE DOWN
Get into a position that places your heels over your head. You can use an inversion table, which suspends you upside down while strapped in by your feet. Being in this position promotes free-flowing lymph.
HERBS
Herbs promote a healthy lymphatic system by improving lymphatic flow and drainage and aiding in the removal of toxins. Cleavers is a safe lymphatic tonic that removes and drains any trapped bacteria from lymph glands when taken internally.
NOTE: Consult a holistic practitioner about the right herb to use for this purpose.
DRY BRUSHING
Use a brush with coarse bristles to gently brush your skin in the direction of the heart. Experts say it boosts blood circulation and encourages the movement of lymph.
PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES
The body uses these enzymes to break down proteins and aid in digestion and metabolism. They can help dissolve and remove toxic accumulations in the lymph and the blood.
You can take them as supplements or obtain them through diet by eating foods like pineapple, which contains bromelain and papaya, which has the enzyme papain.
LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
Specialized lymphatic massages use gentle pressure and rhythmic circular motions to encourage the flow of lymph. You can also do it yourself by gently massaging the lymph nodes under the jaw.
GO LOOSE
Avoid wearing tight clothing, particularly underwire bras, which can significantly inhibit lymphatic flow and drainage from lymph nodes in the armpit and upper chest. Possible consequences of wearing constrictive clothing long-term include the growth of fibrocystic breast tissue, impaired lymphatic function, and breast cancer.
BONUS TIP: YOGA
Yoga is beneficial to the lymphatic system, since doing handstands, headstands, and shoulder stands significantly stimulate the flow of lymph. Alternatively, raise your legs and place them to the wall.
The contraction and relaxation of muscles during yoga poses promotes the flow of lymph. Those poses that involve rotation of the abdomen can be particularly useful, as twisting your midsection squeezes muscles and organs and causes lymph to flow from the tissues.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
