Lymph Part 3 - Caring for Your Lymph

***This is not medical advice, but simply educational information. You are responsible for your own health choices. If you aren't sure what's right for you talk to a health care professional, and as always listen to your intuition***

So, how to know you have lymph issues? Generally, If you have any chronic mental or physical illness (including chronic pain, swelling, depression autoimmunity, etc) you most certainly have lymph issues contributing to them. One of the best preventative health strategies is to make sure you care for your lymph.

Here are some things to consider doing for your lymph:

1) LYMPHATIC SELF-MASSAGE over some key areas each day. See my video attached to this post. Please read the contraindications at the end of this post first.

2) MOVE YOUR BODY each day. When the muscles contract this pumps the lymph! Lymphatic fluid doesn’t have a strong heart to help pump it around like our blood does, so it needs a lot more help! Any movement is good! Choose something that is fun and literally shake things up! If you're sitting around a lot during the day take some breaks to shake, dance, walk, etc to reduce the stagnancy. Using a rebounder trampoline is great too!

3) REST/RELAX/RECHARGE:

- Conscious breath practices  activate the diaphragm which helps pump the lymph more effectively and this also relaxes your nervous system so fluids can flow more freely. Breathe slowly and mindfully.

- Meditate: Take enough time each day to mindfully rest and reset to allow more flow in your system. Even just a few minutes makes a difference!

- Nature time: Get outside each day, barefoot on the earth as much as possible to get the earth’s negative ions flowing into and throughout your body. In the winter you can visualize yourself doing this, and still get some of the benefits. Get outside at sunrise and sunset to let the sun’s rays  into your eyes to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm and support healthy sleep and wake cycles, hormones, stress levels, etc.

4) WATER: Drinking lots of good quality purified WATER  and taking trace minerals and electrolytes each day is key. Having enough minerals and electrolytes helps our body actually absorb and use the fluids we drink so we can more easily stay hydrated and so that the fluids are going to the right places!

- Some ideas to consider: Grey coloured unrefined sea salt  added to food and drinking water, liquid trace mineral and electrolyte supplement, ionic magnesium supplement (liquid mag chloride is better absorbed than capsule/synthetic forms of magnesium) or magnesium spray, nettle leaf tea, dulse seaweed, bone broths.

5) PLANTS/HERBS can be great allies : (These are not all appropriate for everyone)

For lymph:

- Red clover, burdock root, cleavers, calendula, and many others.

- Citrus-based essential oils applied topically can also be supportive as well as others.

For the liver:

- the liver produces 30% or more of the lymphatic fluid. If your liver is congested → lymphatic fluid produced will be more sticky/stagnant and will not drain as easily.

- Herbs like milk thistle, dandelion leaf or root, burdock root, St. John’s Wort, etc.

- Castor oil packs over the liver. Queen of Thrones is my favourite. Contact me if you want my discount code!

6) Eat WHOLE FOODS,   especially organic vegetables and fruits, are rich in compounds that stimulate lymphatic drainage. Processed foods can hinder lymph flow.

7) Use WARMTH . Heat can stimulate better flow of bodily fluids (blood and lymph). You can use warm compresses, a hot water bottle or heating pad, sauna, a foot soak, or a full bath. Red/infrared lights also stimulate lymphatic flow.

8) I recommend seeking out help from a therapist or healer who can guide you through trauma healing and psycho-emotional processing to address the nervous system's chronic stress that contributes to stagnant lymph (I discuss this in lymph part 2).

I've just uploaded some GUIDED HEALING SESSIONS that are available for purchase, some of which are to support the opening up detox pathways (including lymph), heal shock and trauma, etc! Check them out at www.melissacrawford.ca/shop

I have studied the lymphatic system for many years and one of my top sources of lymph information is Dr. Perry Nickelson at www.stopchasingpain.com. Check out his amazing information!

Dr. Nickelson's CONTRAINDICATIONS to lymph massage:

- If you are having significant pain in the main massage areas then stop and see your physician

- you have cancer

LYMPH SELF-MASSAGE VIDEO

I hope some of this information about how to improve lymphatic health supports you in your health and wellness goals!

With love,

Melissa