THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND YOGA
Lymph is similar to blood in that they’re both liquids circulating in your body. But the similarity stops there. Unlike red blood’s circular, pumped (by the heart) movement, clear-to-white lymph moves just one way: out. To make matters worse, lymph has no organ pump. So, it’s up to you to eliminate it yourself through moving and deep breathing! (Another reason why a sedentary lifestyle can take years off your life.)
Also unlike blood, lymph is mostly water (95%) with the fancy name of interstitial fluid. This is the water all around and between your cells filled with some immune cells, protein, fats and other substances. Lymph also contains water from blood plasma. Lymph is your body’s liquid rubbish bin, to put it mildly. It picks up waste products formed from all the chemical reactions needed to keep you alive, ushering them out of your body. There’s also a toxic load of environmental chemicals like heavy metals that need to exit your body before they start wreaking biological havoc in you.
Granted you’re stacked with lymph hardware like:
- Lymph vessels weaved throughout almost all of your tissues and organs
- Lymph nodes that serve as checkpoints for mostly dead or dying immune cells that have already done their job fighting infection or are in the heat of doing so
- Lymph organs like the tonsils, thymus, and spleen that serve as immune cell factories.
Given that about 80% of the immune system resides in the gut, it should come as no surprise that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract also contains some lymphatic tissue making it part of the lymphatic system, too. Next session we will look at Digestion and The Gut Microbiome.
As lymph makes its way to the collection centres (nodes) the vessels carrying it merge. Then they become part of a more extensive, denser network of vessels that eventually morph into lymphatic ducts. Just like small streams emptying into larger ones and finally winding up in a river. Then the ducts deposit lymph into veins for its last hurrah until its final exit through your bladder, bowel, and sweat.
Functions of the Lymphatic System
Ignored and under-rated by medicine and science for far too long, your lymphatic system is now known to have several critically essential roles to play in keeping you healthy.
- Detoxifies against microbes and other toxic substances.
- Returns some excess protein molecules and fluid back to circulation.
- Absorbs lipids (fatty substances) and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D and E) from your GI tract and sends them off on their merry way into your bloodstream and beyond (to your cells).
What Causes Blockages in the Lymphatic System?
- Microbial infection
- Parasitic infection
- Cellulitis (inflammation of cells)
- Removal of a lymph node
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Tumour
- Injury
Besides the swollen ankles, puffy eyes and congested head hat signal lymphatic dysfunction, there are more signs and symptoms of lymph blockages that may not be as obvious as fluid build up but can be severe lymph-related issues just the same:
- Cellulite (lumpy fat deposits)
- Painful and hard swellings (especially in neck, armpits, groin area)
- Constipation
- Mucus and phlegm production
- Bloated stomach or extremities
- Stiff or painful joints
- Excessive sweating
- Chronic sinus infections
- Eczema
- Brain fog
- Chronic headaches
- Sluggishness
Here are the natural consequences when one or more parts of your lymphatic system are clogged up:
- Toxic by-products of normal cell growth and reproduction remained trapped in cells.
- Old & used immune cells fester in your lymph.
- Foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and mould remain engulfed by immune cells with nowhere to go.
- Environmental chemical residues and heavy metals that entered your body (probably from food, water, air or consumer products) are trapped with no escape plan in sight.
How Can You Improve Your Lymphatic System Naturally?
Exercise. Studies show how big a difference movement makes in lymphatic function. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or triathlete either. Walking and Yoga are great ways to get the lymph moving from muscle contraction.
Breathing Don’t underestimate the power of breathing to get the lymph de-blocked! Deep breathing, of the sort practiced during mindfulness meditations, gets your entire rib cage in on it so you’re not just removing gaseous carbon dioxide waste products from your lungs. You’re also squeezing the lymph from even the tiniest interstitial spaces and pushing it toward its exit ducts.
Drink plenty of clean water. It may get old to hear, but drinking water is crucial to every aspect of your health, including your lymph system! Lymph is mostly water. All of life’s chemistry happens in water. Dehydration makes it very hard for your cells to function. Recommended is half your body weight in ounces per day. Spread it out during the day to keep your metabolic machinery humming smoothly and consistently instead of getting clogged up! Bonus: Add a squirt of lemon juice + rind to the water as an all-around lymph detoxer and a pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt. Sip on it throughout the day.
Diet You are what you eat and eating healthy produces less waste for your lymphatic system to clean up, and avoiding processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, and preservatives will reduce your chances of lymphatic congestion. A period of Fasting or Cleansing is also useful to rest your system and enable a deeper clean. Dr Mike Mosely has several good books on this.
Anti-inflammatory foods that won’t put your body into attack mode = fewer immune cells to flush away in lymph.
- Leafy greens (like kale, cabbage)
- Healthy fats (in nuts, seeds, olive oil)
- Wild caught salmon (for omega-3s)
- Ginger, citrus fruits, flaxseed, and garlic
- High-fibre foods add bulk that keeps waste products and toxins bound and flowing in lymph as well as in the large intestines.
Lower-sugar foods keep inflammation (which leads to swelling) in check. Avocados and berries are fruits that won’t disappoint your lymph. Avoid high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that’s basically in all processed food.
For more info on your Lymphatic System and Herbal Remedies, Natural Foods, Native Medicine , Infra Red Sauna, Cold Plunge and Yoga poses to help keep it in good working order…Come along to my SPRING CLEANSE RETREAT DAY on Sunday 5th April 2026. For more info about the day and to book please click here
