I recently received an email asking what foods would be best to help the Lymph System and I thought what a great idea for the next newsletter.
The first and most important food is actually not what you might think of when you think of foods and that is Water.
Water has to be at the top of our list when we are wanting to help our Lymphatic System both to maintain it’s health as well as any healing it might need. We can survive long periods without food but not so when it comes to Water.
Dehydration is one the main causes of Lymph congestion.
Lymph is approximately 95% Water so its importance is self evident.
Lemon Water is especially beneficial as it is alkalizing for the system. Please remember to use a straw to protect your teeth’s enamel.
So be sure to drink up plenty of fresh clean water.
I noticed the first Cranberries are arriving at my local health food store. Cranberries are a wonderful emulsifier of fat. They help to break down the excess fat making it easier for the Lymph System to carry it away.
I love to mix Seaweed and Almonds for a delicious and healthy snack to carry around. I use Sea Whip Kelp and fresh raw Almonds.
Seaweed as is Algae is a wonderful detoxifier as well as it helps to remove excess fluid buildup in the tissues which then can slow down the lymphatic flow.
Almonds as well as most nuts and seeds have the essential fatty acids (the healthy fats) that help fight inflammation as well as a vascular tissue strengthener. They also help in the removal of fat soluble wastes.
Foods high in antioxidants, like your Citrus Fruits help with hydration. They also help to cleanse and protect the Lymphatic System.
To help with inflammation as well reducing congestion of the Lymph Nodes and Vessels try using Goldenseal, Echinacea, and Astragalus. All of these Adaptogenic Herbs are commonly used for Colds and Flus. Makes sense!
Let’s not forgot how important leafy greens are such as Kale, Spinach, Dandelion, Mustard Greens, as well as the Grasses such as Wheat and Barley. They are very high in Chlorophyll and help to remove harmful chemicals and toxins.
For my break everyday I have Plain Lactose Free Yogurt with blueberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds.
The Blueberries, like Cranberries are detoxifying and supportive for a healthy Lymph flow.
The Almonds are not only high in an easy to digest protein but have the fatty acids we need.
The Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds are high in Magnesium to support the nervous system but also help support the Lymphatic Flow. They also aid the colon by removing toxic build-ups that can restrict the Lymph’s flow.
The Hemp Seeds as well as Chia and Flax seeds are full of Omega3’s which are excellent for lymph flow. Hemp seeds also add Chlorophyll to the mix and a great source of protein. Because they are filling you might need to limit the amount of Hemp Seeds you consume if you are trying to gain weight.
Certain spices such as Garlic, Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Coriander, and Black Pepper also are very Lymph supportive. They contain antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory as well as supportive to the brain and the digestion.
Herbs such as Red Clover, Cleavers, and an Ayurvedic herb Manjistha are traditionally used to stimulate Lymphatic flow and drainage.
Remember that by keeping our digestion system healthy we are also supporting the Lymphatic System.
We are coming into Root season and Burdock Root helps with Lymphatic drainage and general detoxification.
Pomegranates are another lymph mover as are Beets.
Truly what Hippocrates said so long ago is still so true today and in some ways we need these words more now than ever before.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…
Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy@gmail.com
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