HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

The Lymphatic System.  

Arising from the latin word lympha meaning water, the lymphatics of the body are akin to a cleansing system, acting as a supplementary circulatory system, nourishing and filtering the body.

The lymphatic system has three primary purposes, to enhance and facilitate protection through the support of immune function, nurtures digestion in the absorption of fats and minerals and maintains equilibrium of the bodies fluids.

During cellular metabolism, where the cell produces energy from the nutrients within it there is an accumulation of waste products. These waste products diffuse out of the cell and a portion of it is transported directly through into the blood stream and some is which is unable to be returned into the blood is returned into the lympathics, which carries these excess toxins and returns into the circulation and the heart for further filtration.

Almost all tissues of the body have lympathics channels to receive the by-products for elimination, these channels can have a varied and complex pattern generally following alongside blood vessels and eventually into the heart.

There are specific lymphatic glands within the body. The spleen, bone marrow and the thymus, which have varied roles to support lymph function.

Caring for our bodies is always individual and never prescriptive however some scientifically proven actions can act as a gentle guidance to support this system to decongest and energise.

Movement, 20- 30 mins of movement has been shown to enhance lymph function.

Deep Breathing.

Eating vegetables that contain nitric oxide that regulates lympathics flow (beetroot and dark greens).

Trampolining aids lymph return back to the heart.

Dry Brushing.

Can stimulate lymph flow. Begin at the feet with long sweeping movements up the legs towards the heart. Repeat similarly with the arms, stomach and back. Always sweeping towards the heart.

Hot and Cold Immersions. Alternating hot and cold showers. Cold Plunges, or Sauna’s.

In anatomical nonclemature the word “system” maybe a misnomer in implying that one system works in isolation or linearly. The bodies “ systems” are complex and inter-related each working in unison and are multidimensional. The lympathics system is intricately interrelated to the immune and cardiovascular systems and thus the body as a whole.

References and Further Reading.

Macciochi Dr Jenna, 2020, Immunity the science of staying well, Harper Collins Publishers, London.

10. Oct. 2024.