Have you ever had swollen tonsils or lymph nodes from a cold? Or maybe incredibly sore muscles post workout? Well, my friend, say HELLO to your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the warehouse of your immune system that our body uses to eliminate the TOXINS we encounter everyday. I'm talking about bacteria, viruses, environmental toxins, and cellular waste. When your lymph is not functioning efficiently, the result is sickness and overall lethargy. Your body has to flush 2-4 liters a day of lymphatic fluid. If your body is not doing this efficiently, you will probably feel unwell.
Although your entire body is surrounded by lymph nodes, the main lymphatic organs are the tonsils, spleen, thymus gland, and the peyers in the small intestine. In fact 70% of our immune system is found in our intestines and is particularly present in the small intestine! Because most CHRONIC diseases begin at the lymph nodes, it is important that we do things on a regular basis to flush of lymphatic system, whether or not we feel WELL or not.
THIS IS WHERE LYMPHATIC DRAINANGE THERAPY COMES IN.....
In 2015, when I got bit and subsequently diagnosed with Lyme disease, parasites, and coinfections I had terribly swollen glands (see pictures on latest insta post). Although I was "treated" with a typical course of antibiotics and my bodily pain subsided significantly, my glands and neurological symptoms did not get better. I even noticed that my glands got more swollen in certain circumstances (like if I was exposed to harsh chemicals, or moldy buildings or even if I took certain herbs). My body was screaming that I was not fully TREATED. Although my 3 year + journey of healing is still not over. I am happy to be about 60-70% better. This is due in part to lymphatic drainage techniques such as manual lymphatic therapy.
Lymphatic Drainage therapy uses gentle manual stimulation of the glands with the use of a lymphatic ultrasound type machine (Lymphstar Fushion) to cleanse the lymph system. After a therapy session, I notice that my energy is better for the following day and my glands decrease significantly. Because lymphatic therapy is expensive and I'm a poor grad student (#makewellnessmoreaccessible) I cannot go as regularly as I would like to. So here are some affordable tips and tricks to keeping your lymphatic system in check:
1. Burdock Root: Literally my savior! I cannot speak highly enough of this herb. I am highly sensitive to herbs and there are very few things I can take without herxing (more on that later). However, this bad boy makes me feel almost immediately better.
2. Green Only Juice. I highly recommend juicing with celery, parsley, lemon, and other greens to help improve lymphatic flow.
3. Exercise. The lymph fluid needs to drain out. Working out regularly, but not in extreme heat or to excess, can help with lymphatic flow.
4. Dandelion Root Tea. Another great herbal tonic. Try at bedtime.
5. Spend time in infrared sauna. The infrared sauna is extremely intense for individuals with unresolved illness, so I highly recommend starting in very short increments such as 5-10 min
6. Add ginger to food. It is a potent anti-inflammatory and can help with any bodily inflammation.
7. Bone broth and green juice cleanse. Sometimes giving your digestion a break will help reset. I recommend combining green juice with bone broth for extra collagen, protein, and glutamine. These will help repair small intestine damage
Good luck and happy cleansing!
xxxx Laura