Stagnant Lymph

Chronic lymph blockage can cause swelling, joint pain, nausea, and fatigue. The lymph system is stimulated by gravity, muscle contraction (exercise), hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold water on the skin), breathing, lymph drainage therapy, and massage. Apple cider vinegar helps to detox the body is by breaking up mucus and cleansing the lymph nodes. To keep your lymph flowing freely, be sure to load up on lots of lovely red fruit and veg. Cherries, raspberries, red cabbage, pomegranate, and beetroot. Drinking at least 16 oz of warm lemon water in the morning is a great way to get the lymphatic system moving. Some of the best forms of exercise for the lymphatic system are rebounding (bouncing on a mini trampoline), dancing, yoga, swimming and believe it or not, laughing! Try dry skin brushing using a natural bristle brush or knobby massager before you go into the shower. Brush your dry skin in circular motions upward from the feet to the torso and from the fingers to the chest. You want to work in the same direction as your lymph flows – toward the heart. Dry skin brushing increases circulation and helps improve skin tone if you suffer from cellulite. Hot/cold showers work well to move lymph and boost your metabolism. Hot water helps dilate the blood vessels, and the cold contracts them, essentially making your body a pump. I usually just shower as normal and the last minute I turn the water to cold just enough to shock the system. One full-body massage can increase the volume of lymph flow by up to 20 times. When your lymphatic system is healthy, it can remove toxins from cells and improve the immune system response. Avoiding tight fitting clothes that constrict lymphatic vessels from running smoothly. Herbal remedies that can help the lymphatic system heal are milk thistle, echinacea, and red clover. These herbal remedies can help boost your lymphatic system by fighting inflammation and purifying the blood. Reducing your exposure to chemicals in food, air, personal care products, and water is incredibly important. Try to swap any cleaner, detergent, and beauty care for the most natural version.