DECONGESTING THE LYMPHATICS
 

The lymphatic system is a vital component of the fluid system of our body. It helps maintain the balance of liquid around each of our cells and is a critical factor in maintaining a healthy biological terrain. Lymph drains waste material away from tissues and passes it through a series of lymph nodes that help breakdown waste materials. Think of these lymph nodes as tiny sewage treatment plants that purify the lymphatic fluid before returning it to circulation.

The tonsils and appendix are lymphatic tissue and were once thought to be useless organs. We now know that they are part of our lymphatic-immune system and play a vital role in helping the body fight infection. They become overwhelmed when they are overloaded with waste materials so that they become inflamed and irritated.

Tonsillitis and appendicitis are not the only disorders related to an overburdened and congested lymphatic system. Most sore throats involve congested lymphatics, which is why you can feel the swollen lymph nodes in your throat when it is sore. Earaches, have their roots in lymphatics congestion, it is the congested lymph system that creates the swelling that closes off the Eustachian tubes.

Even asthma can be connected with lymphatic congestion. When asthma has its roots in allergic responses (a history of hayfever and allergies), then it is the swelling of the bronchials that constricts the airways and creates the shortness of breathe.

Mucus and saliva are created using lymphatic fluid as a base, so mucus problems in the respiratory system and pH imbalances in the saliva always reveal problems with the lymphatics. Clearly, draining toxins from lymphatic fluid and decongesting the lymph is a critical part of recovering from many illness. So, what do we need to keep our lymphatic system clear?

The first — and most important — step in clearing lymphatics is to remove foods from the diet that tend to congest them. Dairy foods are the worst offenders. Why? Because milk is essentially condensed lymphatic fluid. Breast tissue is largely lymphatic tissue and what the breast does is to take the lymph (the liquid portion of the blood containing dissolved nutrients) and concentrate it into a food for a baby animal. When you’re taking concentrated cow lymph into your body your lymphatics tend to be clogged. Dairy allergies are probably the biggest offenders in most cases of chronic respiratory congestion, sore throats, earaches and tonsillitis.

I remember having my tonsils removed when I was little. My throat was very sore afterwards, so what did they feed me? Ice Cream!! Dairy was probably the reason I had tonsillitis in the first place, so let’s just congest the lymphatics further so we can transfer the problem somewhere else.

Other allergy-causing foods may also be culprits. Wheat is another big one. Many children have quit having earaches the moment wheat and dairy (the not so fabulous bread and milk staple) are eliminated from their diets.

Lymphatic massage can help drain swollen lymph nodes and ease many conditions. The techniques that relieve plain following injuries described in the article, Pain Relief and Lymph, can also be applied to many disease conditions. I have personally relieved many a sore throat or earache by application of lymphatic-draining massage. Generally, I do a very gentle and very slow massage stroke over the affected area moving toward the heart.

For example, in the case of a sore throat, I start at the top of the throat and let my fingers very slowly and gently glide down the sides of the throat to the base of the neck. For an earache, I start below the and move down the side of the neck. Increasing lymphatic flow causes fluid and protein to move away from the inflamed areas so that fresh lymph, loaded with oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue repair, can replace it.

The lymphatic massage can be greatly enhanced by tropical application of herbs that increase drainage and blood flow to the area. I have used all of the following successfully; a mixture of lobelia and Capsicum extract, a mixture of Lobelia Essence and Tei Fu essential oils, and garlic oil. I have also custom blended mixtures of  essential oils like Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Clove, Thyme, Lavender and others, in Massage Oil.

Internally there are a number of herbs that can increase Lymphatic Drainage or IN-X.  IN-X seems works better for most lymphatic problems than Lymphomax, which only sells better because of its name. Lymph Gland Cleanse Formula and Lymph Gland Cleanse-HY are also formulas that can benefit congested lymph glands.

Other herbs for lymphatic herbs are Mullein, Lobelia and Echinacea.

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Contact: Karen Olerich, Herb Specialist and Natural Health Consultant

Phone: (719) 495-4930

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