What is The Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels and organs that work together to move a colorless, watery fluid called lymph back into your circulatory system (your bloodstream).
The lymphatic system involves many organs, including the tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus.
Lymph nodes filter out bacteria and cancer cells and create white blood cells to fight infection. These nodes are found throughout the body (neck, armpits, groin, chest, and abdomen).
Key Functions
- Maintains fluid levels in your body
- Absorbs fats from the digestive tract
- Protects your body against foreign invaders
- Transports and removes waste products and abnormal cells from the lymph
Primary and Secondary Organs in the Lymphatic System
PRIMARY
- Bone Marrow: Here, immune cells grow and multiply.
- Thymus: Immune cells, called T-cells, mature in the thymus.
SECONDARY
- Spleen: The spleen stores immune cells and platelets and breaks down red blood cells.
- Tonsils: Stops germs from entering the body through the mouth and nose. They also use white blood cells to fight infection.
- Lymph Nodes: Glands are located in armpits, groin, and neck. They filter lymph and create antibodies.
- Mucous membranes: Located through respiratory and digestive systems. Membranes in your bowel wall, appendix, respiratory/ urinary tracts, and vagina fight off foreign substances and infections
Does Age Affect The Lymphatic System?
As we age our cells can change in size, shape and function. Therefore, our tissues and organs change as well. Simple answer, yes it can.
Lymph fluid movement is also aided by muscle contraction,we need to move our body in order to supplement its flow and counteract the loss of lymphatic vessel muscle function.
Best Practices for a Healthy Lymphatic System
Keep exercising as you age, it is very important for balance, heart and circulatory health, eat well, avoid foods that cause blockages to the lymphatic system, safeguard your skin (SPF), stay hydrated, avoid wearing tight clothes, dry brushing, acupuncture, supportive lymph flow herbal teas.
Signs You Have A Poor Lymphatic System
- Swelling in extremities
- Poor immunity
- Frequent infections
- Skin problems (acne, eczema, etc.)
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Migraines and other headaches
- Fatigue
Ways to Test Your Lymphatic System
You can reach out to your physician on ways to test your lymphatic system, some common tests include CT scans & MRIs.
*I will not be naming all the common issues with lymphatic dysfunctions due to its complexity. Feel free to do your own research especially if you check off a lot of these points.
Why Should You Support Your Lymphatic System?
Supporting your lymphatic system daily gives the above mentioned organs a chance to reset and and improves the overall function of the lymphatic system.
Balanced lymphatic circulation is important to organ intercommunication and body fluid detoxification.
Lymph is homebase for white blood cells, which is important to the immune system. Proper functioning of lymph means better while blood cell circulation, which means a healthier immune system.
The lymphatic system should be supported daily with
foods, physical movement, and herbs.
Foods for Lymphatic System
FOODS THAT PROMOTE LYMPH FLOW
Leafy green vegetables
Low sugar fruits
Ground flaxseed
Chia seeds
Avocados
Garlic
Brazil nuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Cranberries
FOODS THAT CAUSE BLOCKAGE
Processed foods
Conventionally raised meat
Artificial sweeteners
Conventional dairy
Sugar
Soy
Table salt
How Herbs Can Help Support The Lymphatic System
Using herbs is a popular way to naturally purify your lymphatic system. Lymphatic herbs have an ability to move lymph and can increase lymphatic flow moving fluid and protein away from areas of inflammation so that fresh lymph (rich in oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue repair) can replace it.
Lymphatic support herbs herbs play a vital role in helping the body fight infection and relieve inflammation, swollen glands, and edema (i.e an accumulation of interstitial fluids), while supporting the health of the body as a whole.
Adding lymphatic herbs to your daily regime may help keep the lymphatic system consistently balanced and circulating.
Lymphatic System Herbal Support
Calendula, Yarrow, Cleavers, Mullein, Red Root, Fenugreek, Dandelion, Chaparral, White Oak Bark, Plantain, Burdock, Pau D' Arco, Blue Flag, Echinacea, Astragalus, Wild indigo root, Goldenseal, Cilantro, Poke root, Parsley, Violet, Prickly Ash, Ocotillo, Red Clover, Cuachalalate Bark.
Try Our Lymphatic Love Herbal Tea
