The circulation of lymph provides ample opportunity for toxins to come in contact with the surfaces of the body's powerful cleansing cells (such as macrophages and lymphocytes). In fact, more than 99 percent of soluble toxins (called antigens) can be trapped by the body's lymph nodes.
Upon encountering bacteria or damaged cells, lymph nodes destroy them and turn them into a waste product. When the lymph reenters the bloodstream, waste products travel to the kidneys and liver. The body then excretes waste products in the urine and feces.
Inside the lymph nodes are white blood cells, also called lymphocytes. These white blood cells attack and break down bacteria, viruses, damaged cells or cancer cells. The lymph fluid carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys then remove these from the blood.
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues.
The nodes filter out the damaged cells and cancer cells. These lymph nodes also produce and store lymphocytes and other immune system cells that attack and destroy bacteria and other harmful substances in the fluid. You have about 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout your body.
Regular physical exercise is a great way to get your lymphatic system pumping and detoxing your system of waste. Jumping, walking, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and other moderate exercises done on a daily basis will really improve the state of your lymph.
Lymph contains: lipids (fat), proteins, enzymes, urea, minerals, hormones, dissolved gasses (nitrogen, carbon dioxide), cells (macrophage, lymphocytes), toxins, bacteria, viruses, and pieces of cell debris among other things. Lymph originates as plasma (the fluid portion of blood).
Many have reported that they feel a feeling of tingling or flow of fluid under the skin, much like a small stream. Others report the feeling of being able to breathe deeply for the first time in a while because of the lymphatic flow in the sinuses. Other people feel rejuvenated, and others feel a deep relaxation.
All of the fluids and its contents that leak out into the tissues (as well as waste products formed in the tissues, and bacteria that enter them through our skin) are removed from them by the lymphatic system.
Place you hand on your collarbone. Move your hand down your chest in half circles toward your underarm. Massage your chest to help reduce swelling. This massage will move the lymph fluid from your neck and chest to your underarm lymph vessels and nodes.
Lymphatic detoxification promotes and improves the function of the lymphatic system. Lymph circulation is significant for the balance and intercommunication of the overall organ systems through fluid balance in the body and toxin elimination.
Your body can clear itself of most toxins through the liver, feces, urine, and sweat.
Carbon dioxide is a waste product or toxin, and we get rid of it by breathing it out. Other organs that help remove toxins include the liver, skin, kidneys, intestines, lymph nodes, and blood vessels. In addition to breathing out, we remove toxic products through urine, feces, and sweating.
Most toxins are fat soluble and end up stored in fatty tissues in our bodies like our brains, nerves, glands and yes, that extra layer around our tummies and thighs.
This is another area for your chosen health professional to guide you for further info but three herbs that help alleviate inflammation and congestion of the lymph nodes and vessels are Goldenseal, Echinacea, and Astragalus. These herbs also help support immunity, particularly the Echinacea.
Place your hand on your hip on the side that has lymphedema. Gently massage from the outside of your hip (beside your hip bone) using several small strokes. Massage upward along the side of your body to your underarm. Gently stretch the skin as far as it goes naturally and release.
Secondary lymphoedema
Symptoms may include a feeling of tightness and heaviness in a limb, altered sensation, tenderness, reduced range of movement. The oedema is initially pitting, however, over time it becomes non-pitting. The skin can ooze a clear or yellow fluid, and/or can have a foul-smelling odour.
The lymphatic system is part of your immune system and is responsible for helping fluid and waste leave the body, and for regulating the immune system. When the lymphatic system, comprising tiny vessels and nodes, becomes blocked, fluid builds up and stagnate, causing the entire system to become toxic.
Lymph contains white blood cells called lymphocytes (LIM-fuh-sites) and chyle (KYE-ul), which is made of fats and proteins from the intestines. This is important because water, proteins, and other substances are always leaking out of tiny blood capillaries into the body tissues around them.
In the body, lymphatic vessels drain tissues of interstitial fluid (ISF), which contains waste products such as cellular debris and toxic molecules. The ISF forms a protein-rich fluid called lymph that circulates through the lymphatic system back to the circulating blood1.