This is the third part of an 8-part series on the acronym “SPLENDID” for holistic management of MCAS. See previous blog post here for the starter in this series!
Technically, the lymphatic system could fall under the detoxification category, but it’s so important that I gave it a letter of its own!
When we think of the cardiovascular system, there’s a giant muscle called the heart that’s pumping blood, and if we increase our activity, the heart beats faster and increases the circulation. Lymph, however, is not influenced as easily and therefore needs specific strategies to help it flow through the body more effectively, particularly in patients who have stagnation or accumulated toxins. Lymph is a colorless fluid containing white blood cells, and it bathes the tissues and drains around the lymphatic system into the bloodstream. Lymphatic vessels lead into lymph nodes, and there are hundreds of these cleansing “hubs” all over the body. Lymph relies on relaxation and contraction of muscles and joints to help move it around the body.
Lymphatic tissue carries waste from the tissues and cells back to the heart. It’s hypothesized that an increasing toxic/bacterial/viral load can reduce the efficiency of the lymphatic system to the point where it becomes sluggish and impaired. There are a number of strategies that appear to assist in fostering helpful lymphatic flow.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic drainage specialists offer manual therapies, positional considerations, compression instruction, and/or light therapy machines aimed to reduce the lymphedema that can accumulate. Reflexology lymphatic drainage aims to stimulate lymphatic reflexes in the feet and may be another resource.
Lymphatic massage has shown in studies to push up to 78% of stagnant lymph back into circulation. This mobilizes the toxins for clearance, lessening the burden on the lymphatic system.
It’s important to find a practitioner who has adequate training and experience in this arena. The following website is a great resource for more information, and also lists many reputable therapist directories.
https://lymphaticnetwork.org/living-with-lymphedema/find-a-lymphedema-therapist
Additional Strategies
- Hydration: Patients should drink at least half their body weight (in ounces) of purified water per day, throughout the day. This is a key practice for optimizing detoxification pathways and lymphatic flow. Adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to water a few times a day can also assist.
- Massage: Lighter types of massage can assist the lymphatic system, but deep tissue work is less useful when this is the goal.
- Skin Brushing: Before showering, when your skin is dry, take a natural-bristle brush (the type used for body scrubbing in the shower) and use it to gently brush your skin with low to medium pressure. Move the brush from the extremities toward the heart to stimulate sweat glands and skin circulation.
- Rebounding: Jumping on a trampoline/rebounder may assist with lymphatic drainage. The jumping should be gentle and relaxed. I typically have patients start with 1-2 minutes at a time, building up to two 10-minute sessions per day, as tolerated.
- Other light rhythmic activities like swimming, hula hooping, and jumping rope are also reported to be helpful for enhancing lymphatic flow. Special weighted hula hoops can assist in abdominal area lymph stimulation. Wearing looser-fitting clothing while performing lymph-targeting rhythmic activities may promote additional lymphatic flow.
- Inversion table use and inverted yoga positions may also support the lymphatic system.
- Deep breathing exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing causes the lungs to press into the thoracic duct, and this pressure aids in moving the fluid from the thoracic duct into the bloodstream. Research supports breathing exercises that spend more time on the exhale than the inhale as supportive for lymphatic flow.
- Soaks & Compresses: A foot soak in warm ginger tea or 5-minute use of a tea-soaked compress on the neck (where lymph nodes drain from the head) feels great and boosts the system. Saunas and Epsom salt baths are also good options, if tolerated.
- Alternative medicine options: Acupuncture is a modality that can benefit the lymphatic system.
- Consider foods that boost the lymphatic system: celery, watercress, okra, apples, garlic, green leafy vegetables, avocado, flaxseed, chia seed, walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, cranberries, other low-sugar fruits.
- Consider lymphatic system-supporting herbal teas: astralagus, echinacea, wild indigo root, cilantro, parsley, goldenseal, cleavers, calendula, dandelion, knotted figwort, devil’s claw, red clover.
- Remember to avoid the following foods that can cause blockages to the lymphatic system: processed foods, artificial sweeteners, dairy, sugar, conventionally-raised meat and eggs.
As always, consult your medical team before starting any new supplements (including herbal teas) as they can interact with medications and cause adverse reactions. Some of the herbs recommended on the internet specifically for lymphatic support are poisonous in large doses, so it may also be important to work with an herbalist.
