The lymphatic system, including vessels and nodes, the thymus gland, tonsils and spleen, performs as your body’s secondary circulatory system. It is a complex system of tubing, millions of little vessels, ducts and valves that wash out and filter waste products from cells and tissues, and carry them to the organs that eliminate. The lymph nodes are also the plant or factory for critical white blood cells (lymphocytes) that manufacture the robust antibodies which form the general defense of your body against infections. A chief player in your health, the lymph system is vital to your body’s immune defenses, as it can render destructive bacteria harmless. As lymph surges around your body, big eater cells called macrophages in the lymph nodes surround foreign particles like dangerous bacteria and cellular garbage. Swollen lymph nodes (probably infected) are generated by an overabundance of pathogens the lymphatic system cannot keep in check. Unfortunately, the lymphatic system does not have a pump like the heart does. The valves of the lymph system can keep lymph fluid traveling along, but they are contingent upon your breathing and muscle movement to coerce them. The lymph system is more than a transportation system for the lymphatic fluids. It also works as a filter, removing bacteria, microorganisms, dead cells, and other unwanted substances.

It is very important to remember that exercise and deep breathing are a critical part of any immune enhancing regime. Exercise augments lymphatic circulation so it can eradicate waste materials that block immune response. The health of your lymphatic system relies significantly on the health of your liver. The liver manufactures a great part of the body’s lymph fluid, located in lymphatic vessels, full of lymphocytes, special white blood cells which develop overall body defenses. A lethargic liver always means a congested lymphatic system. By the way, lymph is also a key route for nutrients from the liver and intestines, so it is loaded in fat soluble nutrients, like protein, manufactured in the liver.



How Can You Tell If Your Lymphatic System Is Congested?

• Do you sit around on the couch all day with little or no exercise? Well, the most optimal lymphatic flow relies on regular physical motion.

• If you eat a diet that contains an abundance of saturated fat and refined carbs, then you are compromising your glandular health and congesting your lymphatic system.

• Here’s a big one! Do you utilize aluminum cookware, deodorants that contain aluminum or consume foods (mostly condiments) that contain alum? This constant exposure puts a large burden on lymphatic health.

• Does your body appear strangely soft and plump or has a recent addition of cellulite? Deficient lymph flow is a chief factor in cellulite development.

• Are you constantly catching colds and bugs? The answer may be a congested lymph system that will reduce your defenses against pathogens that cause infections.

• You may even feel listless with very little energy, poor memory, everything is stressful, your skin is pale and you may be extremely thin.

• In an Iridology exam, lymphatic congestion can be observed as a series of small, cloud like spots usually located toward the outer edge of the iris. (This area will only show up when congestion of the lymphatic system is occurring).



Restoring Lymphatic Health: What Can You Do About It?

1. A Good Colon Cleansing Program: A toxic colon is a key factor in the development of food tolerance leading to perpetual ill health. You cannot even begin to think that you are going to be well if the main organ responsible for getting rid of toxic waste is not working properly. The local effects of this poisonous residue are irritation and inflammation of the colon. These poisons and waste are circulated via the blood through the lymphatic system to all parts of the body. Healthy lymphatic fluid serves to enrich cells not fed by blood vessels and kills off harmful organisms, carrying away the garbage. Remember that if the body has to pump undue amounts of toxic waste around for any length of time, then it is not a big revelation that it occasionally gives up, allowing the disease process to take over.

2. A Good Liver Cleansing Program: The liver is a virtual natural chemical factory, making vitamins clotting factors, amino acids and the cholesterol needed to produce steroid (sex) hormones and other important metabolic chemicals. It even manufactures vital lipoproteins. The liver also stores such energy nutrients vitamin B-12 and iron as well vitamins A, D, E and K. Be sure to read our in depth article on achieving liver health naturally.

3. Dry Skin Brushing: One of the optimal ways to cleanse the entire lymphatic system is by brushing the surface of the body with a dry brush manufactured with natural bristles. By brushing the skin, the lymph canals are stimulated and they begin to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby filtering and purifying the entire lymphatic system. When this happens, it enables lymph to execute its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and assorted vital tissues detoxified. In addition, skin brushing is highly stimulating to surface circulation of blood and leaves you feeling invigorated. Be sure to read our in depth article on dry skin brushing.

4. Use a Rebounder: Another avenue that is crucial to lymphatic cleansing is the mini trampoline that offers one of most powerful exercise systems to stimulate conditions that pump your lymph, and thrust it forward in its flow. An upward bounce against the downward pull of gravity closes millions of the one-way valves that regulate the flow of fluid. Moving down again releases pressure in these valves. The increased G-force that is experienced when you land and depress the rebounder mat encourages a healthy surge of fluid throughout your whole body. As the pressure in your tissue changes, the flow of lymph is pushed on. The bottom line is that when rebounding on a mini trampoline, you are utilizing the forces of gravity, acceleration and deceleration to strengthen every cell in your body, without generating traumatic stress impact to your muscles, tissues and joints.

5. Herbal Support: Echinacea was utilized by Native Americans, and presently, it is acknowledged as an aid to the immune system. Echinacea contains echinacoside, a natural antibiotic, which is almost certainly responsible for echinacea’s antibiotic properties. Research in Europe has shown that Echinacea increases the production of T-cells, and another substance, called echinacein, counteracts tissue-dissolving enzymes. Burdock Root has a long history as a detoxifier. In herbal medications, it was noted that burdock can be used to remove accumulated waste products.

6. Seaweed Baths: Seaweed baths are a quick way to stimulate lymphatic drainage and rid your body of disease-causing toxins. In a bath, the electromagnetic action of seaweed releases excess body fluids and wastes from congested cells through the skin, replacing them with vital, immune boosting minerals. Unpolluted, shoreline waters are difficult to find, so please make sure that your seaweed is clean and free of toxins.

7. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): MLD differs from a normal massage—it is very gentle and endeavors to encourage movement of lymph away from swollen areas. MLD is particular helpful if there is swelling in the face, breast, abdomen, genitals or anywhere on the trunk. As this is a specialized form of massage, it should be given only by a trained therapist. There are four types of MLD: Vodder, Foldi, Leduc or Casley-Smith, and your therapist should be trained in at least one of these.

8. Light Therapy: This research goes back to the 19th century when the Italian scientist, Fubini, discovered that red light increased the metabolic rate in mitochondria, the engines driving cellular activity in human tissue. This research has been corroborated more recently in NASA studies and others. We now are aware that visible red and invisible infrared light are effective in activating a cascade of events resulting in tightening and improving the structure of tissues supporting skin. These factors include increased cellular activity, increased blood flow, increased production of nitric oxide, increased vascularity, increased production of fibroblasts, collagen, and elastin, and increased lymphatic drainage. The good news is that although it is unique, light therapy is non invasive, non pharmacological, and completely natural.

9. Infrared Sauna Therapy: Synthetic and organic substances that are foreign to our bodies are rampant within our environment. They are in the air we breathe in the form of industrial and automotive pollution, in the food we eat in the form of preservatives and pesticides, and even in our water that is chemically treated. Getting rid of these toxins, known as detoxification, has in the last few years gained recognition in the medical community as critical in the promotion of health and even in the treatment and prevention of several chronic diseases. Infrared sauna heat therapy stimulates the body’s natural cleansing processes to assist in releasing toxins and contaminates within the body that have accumulated in cellular tissues. These contaminants are then channeled out through the lymphatic system and perspiration. Be sure to read our in depth article on the healing power of infrared sauna therapy.