Considered one of the seven body tissues and the first to become compromised under stress, there is a stark contrast between how little attention is given to the lymph in the west and how highly it is revered in Ayurveda.
The Sanskrit word for lymph is rasa. This is also the word for taste, emotion, juice, nutrient fluid, melody, plasma, water, menses, semen, breast milk, satisfaction and love. In Sanskrit, the more meanings a word has, the broader its scope and the more important it is considered to be.
The lymphatic system is the system that houses our immunity, and as the majority of the body’s lymph can be found around the gut (Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue), we can see that lymph and digestion are closely linked.
Lymph is a circulatory system that is pumped by muscular contractions, unlike the blood which is pumped by the heart. Thus, a sedentary lifestyle along with poor digestion is one of the most common ways to congest the lymphatic flow.
Lymph is the first of the seven dhatus, or body tissues, which also include the blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa), fat (medha), bone (asthi), nervous tissue (majji) and reproductive tissue (shukra).
Some Common Symptoms of Lymphatic Congestion:
- Rings get tight on fingers
- Soreness and/or stiffness in the morning
- Feeling tired
- Bloating
- Itchy skin
- Holding on to water
- Breast swelling or soreness with each cycle
- Dry skin
- Brain fog
- Cold hands and feet
Properly flowing lymph has a favorable influence on all of the body tissues.
Need Support?
- Have Dr. Douillard design an herbal program for you with a phone consultation.
- Get started healing with the 28-Day Ayurveda Challenge eCourse (A seasonal diet, proper exercise, and stress-relief practices are instrumental to dispelling stagnation in the lymph and getting it to flow properly).
- Shop by Health Topics in the LifeSpa Store
Need Supplements? We Can Help!
Manjistha: Ayurveda has observed that red-pigmented roots and berries are typically powerful lymph movers that can be found in nature. Manjistha is perhaps the herbal red-pigmented root that is most commonly used for globally moving the lymph in the body, helping the lymph to drain the waste from your body and regulate the immune system. Manjistha can also help nutrients to feed the cells in an optimal way.
Lymph-Vein HP: Extensively researched citrus-based flavonoids in a unique micronized form help support all the body’s circulatory systems. Encourage healthy veins, capillaries, and blood flow, promote healthy lymphatic drainage, and enhance antioxidant activity and the body’s normal response to inflammation.
Brahmi Brain: The herb Brahmi has long been revered in Ayurveda for its mental-clarity enhancing properties. Recent research has designated Brahmi as a powerful agent for microcirculation – meaning that beyond being a boon to the circulation as we know it, Brahmi enhances blood flow into event the smallest vessels, thereby powerfully supporting the skin and water retention.
Lymphatic Massage Oil: Cured and cooked with a nuanced recipe of lymph-moving herbs, LifeSpa’s Lymphatic Massage Oil is an ideal choice for the self-care practice of daily Ayurvedic self-massage, called Abhyanga. Daily self-massage is a wonderful way to encourage the optimal flow of the Skin-Associated Lymphatic Tissue, which is one of the body’s greatest detox platforms.
Lymph Cleanse: Designed to strengthen and detoxify the lymphatic system, Lymph Cleanse is a combination of five powerful time-tested, lymph-cleansing herbs.
