The Lymphatic System: Your Inner Cleanser
The Lymph System is the body's unsung hero! Look at it as your body’s 24/7 clean-up crew. No calls or scheduling. It’s there for you, and it operates quietly in the background while supporting your immune health and overall wellness. I know this is a yucky thought, but you need to understand that it is the body’s “cesspool,” where all the waste, toxins, and extra fluid leaks out of blood vessels into the spaces between your cells. Remember, it’s the body’s cleanup crew, helping to filter and move all that gunk out to keep your body healthy and balanced.
Until recently, most people have never heard of the lymph system.This powerhouse system is being recognized as essential for immune function, detoxification, inflammation control, and brain health. Yes, the brain too! It has a very important role in maintaining health.
So what happened? In short, the lymphatic system was ignored by conventional medicine because it’s clear to milky color was considered invisible vs red blood which is easy to observe during surgery. Contrary to blood which moves fast to deliver oxygen and nutrients, the lymph flows under very low pressure to efficiently do its clean up work. Think of lymph as the slow, steady traveler compared to the circulatory system's express train. Despite the fact that it weaves throughout the entire body, scientists dismissed it for not fitting the conventional medical framework.
In Holistic Traditions (like Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and various Indigenous practices), the concepts behind the lymphatic system have been acknowledged for thousands of years. Although the term “lymph” was not used, the body was addressed as moving the water or balancing the fluids in the body.Herbal lymphagogues (like dandelion, cleavers, poke root) were widely used long before modern lymphatic research. Even sweat lodges, poultices, and dry brushing were practices used to support lymphatic flow intuitively.
Four major areas of the body the lymph is connected to:
The Immune System ~ Our body has approximately 600-700 Lymph nodes. They are the hubs where immune cells live, detect invaders, and launch responses.
Circulatory System (blood vessels) returns leaked fluid from blood vessels back to the bloodstream, keeping fluid levels balanced. Did you know? Without the lymphatic system, our bodies would quickly swell with fluid (edema) and lose critical blood volume. That is a life-threatening situation!
Digestive System (especially fats)The lymphatic system transports fats that blood capillaries can't absorb and plays a role in gut-immune issues like leaky gut and food sensitivities.
Nervous System (newest discovery) In 2015, researchers found lymphatic vessels in the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. Impaired brain lymph flow is linked to Alzheimer’s, brain fog, and migraines.
That’s a heavy workload, wouldn’t you say?
This signs and symptoms of a low functioning lymphatic system:
When we’re stressed, muscle tension and shallow breathing slow down lymph flow. When the lymphatic system is clogged or sluggish, people often feel swollen, tired, foggy, and more inflamed than usual. It’s like the body's internal “cleaning service” went on strike!
Keep in mind, Heavy emotions = heavy lymph. If lymph flow slows down, the emotional "gunk" gets stuck in the body as well.
Some pointers on how you can support your lymphatic system naturally:
The lymph system needs YOU! Unlike the heart/blood which is a pump and a continuous loop, the lymphatic system does not have a pump. It is unidirectional, a one-way drainage system that flows from the tissues and toward the heart. You can support your lymphatic system with gentle movement which keeps fluids flowing, deep breaths pump fluid, water keeps it thin, body brushing and massage wake it up, emotional release clears blockages, and good sleep gives your body time to heal and clean house. Now that’s lovin’ your lymph!
When you take a little time to support your lymphatic system, your body feels lighter, clearer, and more energized. Give your clean-up crew some love! If you need a little extra support, Savage Salve Original Blend for lymph and blood circulation is here to help nourish and uplift your system from the outside in! Also check out the how to link to see the proper Big 6 application to promote a healthy flow.You’ll feel the difference!
Stay Radiant,
Donna
Big 6 credit to Dr. Perry Nickelson