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NATUROPATH LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

The Lymphatic System From a Naturopathic Perspective

In Naturopathic medicine, the lymphatic system is considered to be one of the body’s organs of elimination, assisting to clear debris and waste from the body; reflecting the cleansing, moving nature of water. The lymphatic system is made up of ductwork which, with the blood vessels, provides nutriment to the great internal ocean of the body, the cells that exist in the spaces between the tissues
of the body and tissues themselves, and facilitates the elimination of bodily waste products. The lymphatic system reflects the element of water, with it’s name derived from the Latin word “lympha” or “clear water”. Lymph nodes (glands) reflect bodies of still water like dams or lakes, and lymph ducts move like rivers of flowing water throughout the body.

 

The lymphatic system performs three main functions in the body.

1. To help pull fluids from tissues back into circulation so it doesn’t build up (resulting in lymphedema).
2. Delivering lipid nutrition (the absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients (vitamins a, d, e and k) from the diet) to cells and carrying wastes and proteins produced by cells back to the blood for removal from the body.
3. To facilitate immune responses, filtering infections from the lymph so they don’t end up in the bloodstream. The lymphatic system is the vehicle through which the immune system acts.

When problems occur with the lymphatic system, it is considered to be due to immune over sensitivity, and lymphatic stagnation or weakness. During acute and chronic infection, the lymph nodes become swollen with cellular debris, white blood cells, and viral or bacterial wastes. During immune activity, the lymphatic system is responsible for cleaning the debris that accumulates. When the system gets overworked and can’t keep up, its internal waters become muddied and congested and the lymph nodes swell with stagnation.

 

Signs and symptoms that the lymphatic system maybe be overworked and stagnated can include:

– Swelling in lymph nodes (like the throat, armpits or groin).
– Anxiety and brain fog.
– Acne.
– Muscle aches and pains, and joint pain.
– Chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, eczema, or arthritis. Additionally, hormonal issues like endometriosis, PCOS, alongside reproductive and menstrual health issues.
– Fatigue including post viral fatigue.
– Frequent colds or flu, or other recurrent immune issues.
– Regular headaches.
– Inflammation or a build-up of toxins in the body or brain.
– Swollen or puffy limbs, abdomen, neck or face.
– Post surgical swelling.
– Sinusitis and hay fever.
– Itchiness.

From a naturopathic perspective, supporting the health of the lymphatic system involves utilising herbs that cleanse the lymphatic system. These herbs were considered “blood purifiers” traditionally, and in more modern times are called lymphatics, lymphagogues, or alteratives / depuratives. These 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 move freely. The cleansing action of the lymphatic herbs reflect the archetypal purifying nature of water.

 

Herbs that can support the lymphatic system include red root, poke root, burdock root, calendula, echinacea, cleavers, red clover. In addition to herbs, naturopaths emphasise food as medicine to support the lymphatic system. The foods that we consume support the drainage and filtration of the lymphatic system. A key aspect of this is maintaining hydration, particularly when we consider the importance of water in the function of the lymphatic system. In addition to water, oils and healthy fats are important for lymphatic health, particularly due to its role in the absorption of fats by the body.

  • * Drink a minimum of 2L of water per day, prioritising filtered water where possible.
  • * Consume healthy fats from foods like olive oil, nuts and seeds, fatty fish and avocado.
  • * Prioritise eating a diet rich in whole foods. This means foods that are fresh, locally grown and sourced, and if possible, organic.
  • * Incorporate warming herbs and spices into your meals, as they have a positive effect on circulation and lymph flow. Cook with things like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, green tea, black pepper, and cardamom.

Avoid foods that drive inflammation and introduce toxins into the body, Reduce and avoid foods like processed foods, packaged foods, alcohol, and sugar, alongside foods you’re sensitive to.

  • Additional practices to support the health of the lymphatic system include:
  • * Good quality sleep. Helps clear the build of toxins in the brain, by activating the lymphatic System (lymphatic system of the brain). Creating a sleep routine such as dimming the lights, stopping screen time at least an hour before your sleep, and going to bed and waking up at the same can all time can all help with improving your sleep quality.
  • * Move your body daily. As our lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump (like our vascular system has our heart), it relies on regular movement to promote lymphatic circulation. Even walking helps increase blood and lymph flow and remove toxins. Walking, swimming, or your preferred form of exercise, including something like rebounding with a small trampoline, promote lymphatic flow.
  • * Experience Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialised massage technique that focusses on stimulating lymphatic flow to speed up the removal of toxins and inflammation, balance fluid levels and boost the immune system.

Written by Jade Flint and Tarren Hehir

Artwork: Sticks and stalks/pushed into muddy lake bottom, Yorkshire, Sculpture Park. 29 April and 8
May 1987 by Andy Goldsworthy.

References:

Cavezzi, A., Urso, S. U., Ambrosini, L., Croci, S., Campana, F., & Mosti, G. (2019). Lymphedema and
nutrition: A review. Veins and Lymphatics, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/vl.2019.8220

Mehrara BJ, Radtke AJ, Randolph GJ, Wachter BT, Greenwel P, Rovira II, Galis ZS, Muratoglu SC. The emerging importance of lymphatics in health and disease: an NIH workshop report. J Clin Invest. 2023 Sep 1;133(17):e171582. doi: 10.1172/JCI171582. PMID: 37655664; PMCID: PMC10471172.

Oliver, G., Kipnis, J., Randolph, G. J., & Harvey, N. L. (2020). The Lymphatic Vasculature in the 21st Century: Novel Functional Roles in Homeostasis and Disease. Cell, 182(2), 270–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.06.039

Popham, S. (2019). Evolutionary herbalism: science, medicine, and spirituality from the heart of nature. North Atlantic Books.

Wood, M. (2013). The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism. North Atlantic Books.

Sarris, J., & Wardle, J. (2019). Clinical naturopathy: An evidence-based guide to practice. (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

Artwork: Sticks and stalks/pushed into muddy lake bottom, Yorkshire, Sculpture Park. 29 April and 8
May 1987 by Andy Goldsworthy.

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