Exquisite Magazine Jan 2018

WELLNESSBody
Love your
Lymph
If
you’re feeling sluggish, tired and
bloated it could be your lymphatic
system needs a boost. By Fiona Ji
4 Avoid sweet drinks - these horrible beverages add to the
already overburdened workload your lymph system
handles every day. Give it a break and drink water or real
fruit juices.
5 Eat more raw fruit on an empty stomach - the enzymes
and acids in fruit are powerful lymph cleansers. Eat them
on an empty stomach for best digestion and maximum
lymph-cleansing benefits. Most fruits are digested within 30
minutes or so and quickly help you feel better.
6 Eat plenty of green vegetables - to get adequate chlorophyll
to help purify your blood and lymph.
The lymphatic system is a network of organs and tissues
that consists mainly of lymph vessels, nodes and
lymph. Its primary function is to transport lymph, a
colourless fluid that contains white blood vessels that
rids the body of waste and toxins.
The tonsils, spleen, thymus and adenoids are all part of the
lymphatic system. While blood flows throughout the body in a
continuous loop, lymph flows in only one direction — upward
toward the neck — within its own system. It flows into the
venous blood stream through the subclavien veins, which are
located on either sides of the neck near the collarbones.
Diseases and ailments of the lymphatic
system
These include glandular fever, Hodgkin’s disease, oedema
(swelling) and tonsillitis.
7 Eat raw, unsalted nuts and seeds - power up your
lymph with these fatty acids. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts,
macadamias, Brazil nuts, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds and
pumpkin seeds are all ideal.
8 Lymph-boosting herbal teas - these include astragalus,
echinacea, goldenseal, pokeroot or wild indigo root tea.
Consult a doctor or nutritionist before combining two or
more herbs or if you’re taking any medications or suffer
from any serious health conditions.
9 Dry skin brush before showering - 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.
10 Alternate hot and cold showers for several minutes - the
heat dilates the blood vessels and the cold causes them to
contract. Avoid this type of therapy if you have a heart or
blood pressure condition or if you are pregnant.
Symptoms
Key indications that your lymphatic system is sluggish and
stagnated include bloating, swelling, rashes, cellulite, fatigue,
pain in the hands and feet, lethargy and breast swelling during
menstruation, allergies and food sensitivities.
Ways to boost and revitalise you lymphatic
system
1 Breathe deeply - our bodies have three times more lymph
fluid than blood, yet no organ to pump it. Your lymph
system relies on the pumping action of deep breathing
to help it transport toxins into the blood before they are
detoxified by your liver. So breathe in. And breathe out
those toxins.
2 Move - exercise ensures the lymph system flows properly.
The best kind is rebounding on a mini trampoline, which
can dramatically improve lymph flow. You can also do
skipping rope, stretching and aerobic exercise which also
work well.
11 Gentle massage - can push up to 78 percent of stagnant
lymph back into circulation. Massage frees trapped toxins.
You can also try a lymph drainage massage. It is a special
form of massage that specifically targets lymph flow in the
body. Whatever type of massage you choose, make sure
it is gentle. Too much pressure may feel good on the
muscles, but it doesn’t have the same lymph-stimulating
effects.
12 Encourage sweating - don’t block sweat glands by using
antiperspirant that contains aluminum. Try to make
sweating part of your daily routine through exercise,
saunas, steam rooms or Epsom salt or fresh ginger baths.
13 Destress - stress-fighting hormones, called cortisol, are
extremely acidic and lymph doesn’t drain well in an acidic
environment, so you need to find ways to relax.
TCM and alternatives
Traditional Chinese Medicine such as acupressure, as well as
ayurvedic treatments and massage are good ways to clease
and boost your lymphatic system. Qigong is also good.
3 Water - to help ensure the water is readily absorbed by your
cells, you can also add some fresh lemon juice or oxygen
or pH drops.
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