The Lymphatic system is made up of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The lymphatic system has three main functions
- It drains excess tissue fluid: It keeps the fluid in the blood and in the tissues balanced.
- It fights infection: It assists the body’s immune system by detecting harmful bacteria.
- It helps the body absorb fat: It takes lipid nutrients from the intestine and transports them to the blood.
The lymphatic is an essential part of the immune system. When it is blocked or restricted it can cause lymphedema, which is swelling of legs, arms, fingers or toes, some of the symptoms include a tight feeling in the arm or legs, numbness, tingling, discomfort or pain in the affected area, decrease in range of motion, and recurring skin infections. After a trip to see the Doctor, here are a few things that you can do to help negate the symptoms associated with this ailment.
- Exercise helps stimulate the lymphatic system by getting your blood pumping and allowing the constant use of muscles to pump fluid out of the tissues.
- Diet choosing an anti-inflammatory diet, this would include food in its most unprocessed state; thus, the body does not have to work so hard to detox the unwanted chemicals that have been added.
- Epsom salt a nice Epsom salt bath can help remove toxins from the body and help reduce swelling.
There are also several herbs that influence the lymphatic system when ingested as a tea or tincture
- Cleavers Herb helps with lymphatic drainage as well as the detox of tissues.
- Red Root stimulates the lymphatic system and aids with inner tissue fluid circulation
- Prickly Ash Bark stimulates circulation, and the lymphatic system, it also helps with leg cramps and varicose veins.
- Sweet clover is an ointment that can be applied topically and helps to trigger lymphatic functions, it is also soothing to the discomfort caused by lymphedema.
- Ginger this herb has potent anti-inflammatory effects, it also boosts the immune system by stimulating sweating and lymphatic flow.
While the effects of lymphedema can be very discouraging, know there are things that you can do to alleviate some of the discomforts. Sometimes we want an immediate cure or relief when in truth most of our ailments have been building over time; thus the reversal of these things take time as well. Why not get started today.
