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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

The Importance of Cleansing the Lymphatic System

Aug 30, 2016 07:52PM ● By Joyce Sobotta

Joyce Sobotta

Cleansing the lymphatic system (LS) may be the single most important and overlooked step in having a healthy immune system. Generally, we get suggestions for cleansing the liver and the intestines. Eliminating toxins from the lymphatic system is important to help renew and keep the body healthy. If you have aches and pains, swelling, inflammation, fatty deposits or bloating, these could be signs of a blocked LS.

The best way to keep your immune system healthy is to love your lymph and move it to prevent stagnation and congestion. The LS has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction (diaphragm with deep breathing) and manual manipulation (massage) to move the fluid to circulate and drain from the body. 

The LS is a complex network of fluid-filled nodes, vessels, ducts and glands, including the spleen, thymus and tonsils. It bathes our cells and carries our body’s “sewage” away from the tissues to neutralize it. The LS handles toxins that enter the body through external sources, such as foods, environmental products or air pollution. It also takes care of toxins that accumulate internally, such as stress of any organs.

Foods can either help or hinder the flow of lymph in the body. To cleanse the LS, avoid “chemical foods” that contain artificial preservatives, flavors, colors and stabilizers—which include most prepared, packaged and fast foods. These may clog your LS.

Recent studies found that 80 percent of overweight women or those with cellulite have sluggish LS. Getting this system flowing smoothly is the key to easy weight loss and improved feelings of well-being. The spleen is the largest mass of lymph tissue in the body and helps purify the blood, fight infection and destroy worn-out red blood cells. By cleansing your LS, the spleen will be better able to handle the retired red blood cells.

Stress is now recognized as an important co-factor in the development of all disease. There is more than one way to help reduce stress, and the knowledge and use of therapeutic essential oils is one option. Using essential oils on the body along with a gentle lymphatic massage is an excellent way to move the lymph, calm the body and add depleted nutrients and oxygen back into the body.

Joyce Sobotta has a Bachelor's degree in education and certifications in holistic aromatherapy and reflexology. She is the founder/owner of Healthy Girls Breast Oil, a home-based, international business. She is available for natural breast health consultations and presentations. For more information, visit AromaTherapyNaturesWay.com.