In This Article
The Beneficial Elements of Citrus Pith
Have you heard of MCP? Modified citrus pectin (MCP), otherwise known as the white part, or pith, of citrus fruits, is powerful Ayurvedic medicine for the heart and your lymphatic and circulatory systems.
While training in India, I remember drying lemon, orange, and pomegranate peels and then scraping off the pith to make a medicinal white powder.
Modern science has now confirmed this ancient Ayurvedic wisdom! Research shows that a patented micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) derived from the white pith of lemons and oranges can help relieve symptoms of poor lymphatic circulation, including cellulite, ankle swelling, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, broken blood vessels, and hemorrhoids.
MPFF contains 90 percent diosmin, and 10 percent hesperidin, both bioflavonoids found naturally in citrus fruit. This ratio is the same ratio of diosmin and hesperidin in our LifeSpa formula for supporting healthy veins and microcirculation, called Lymph Vein HP.
These bioflavonoids, a class of phytochemicals, affect hemorrhoids, cellulite, blood sugar, venous tone, ankle swelling, lymphatic drainage, and capillary breakage by protecting the body’s lymphatic microcirculation from the ravages of inflammation.
See also 6-Step Plan to Cleanse Your Lymphatic System
Diosmin, Hesperidin, and Hemorrhoids
These potent pith chemicals can have quick results. In one study, researchers gave participants 2 450 mg tablets of purified diosmin for 7 days, then 1 tablet for up to 2 months and found that it decreased both pain and bleeding by 79 percent and 67 percent after the first week, respectively. In the second week, figures were 98 percent and 86 percent, respectively.
In 2 randomized, double-blind, 2-month studies, when compared with placebo, taking 500 mg of micronized diosmin and hesperidin in a 9:1 ratio twice daily significantly decreased ankle or calf circumference (a symptom of swelling) and improved many symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and poor lymphatic flow.
Positive results extend to hemorrhoid help as well. When compared with a placebo in another study, 3 tablets of 500 mg of MPFF twice daily for 4 days, followed by 2 tablets of MPFF 500mg, twice daily for 3 days, improved the duration and intensity of some acute internal hemorrhoids.
While 2 tablets of MPFF 500 mg daily for 60 or 83 days improved the overall symptoms of chronic (recurrent) hemorrhoids compared with a placebo.
Compared with a control group, MPFF also significantly reduced the risk of secondary bleeding after elective hemorrhoidectomy. In clinical trials, MPFF had a tolerability profile similar to that of a placebo.
In an open study on hospital outpatients, pregnant women with hemorrhoids were given therapy with micronized diosmin and hesperidin in a 9:1 ratio for 8 weeks before delivery and 4 weeks after delivery. Of the study participants, 66 percent had relief from acute hemorrhoidal symptoms by the fourth day, while 53.6 percent fewer patients had a relapse after delivery. Treatment was well accepted, and did not affect pregnancy, fetal development, birth weight, infant growth, or feeding.
Diosmin and hesperidin fundamentally help maintain the structure and function of the lymphatic and circulatory systems, especially vein strength and competence.
Microcirculation and lymph congestion can compromise healthy venous drainage in the legs as well as cause build-up of poorly circulated fat in the form of cellulite.
Lymph and Rasayana
Restoring healthy lymphatic circulation is the first therapy considered in any Ayurvedic evaluation. The study of lymph in Ayurveda is called rasayana, also known as the study of longevity.
So, to support healthy lymph circulation (which is connected to such annoyances as hemorrhoids, swollen ankles, cellulite, and varicose veins), eat those pithy white citrus parts or get them super-powered in LifeSpa’s Lymph Vein HP.
See also The Ayurvedic Link Between your Lymphatic System and Cellulite
I juice a lot of citrus through the week. I would like to learn if it’s possible to make that powder you’re speaking of rather than just throwing out the peels. I have an excalibur dehydrator. Any suggestions?
I second Tommy Kehoe’s interest above as I too do the juicing. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I so enjoy your posts. I am a big fan of Ayurveda. My sight is challenged at this time in my life. I used to let my computer read your articles but that is no longer available. I’m guessing you changed it so folks would not copy? I miss it.
how about https://www.iblindness.org/?
Is it possible to pair this with facia blasting or dry brushing?
Please don’t blast your fascia. For muscle pain or tension please look into safer and more effective methods such as Yamuna Body Rolling.
Don’t complicate matters. We actually use the squat stool here at the nursing homes. It helps much better than the prune juice. Demographics in certain countries have also shown that squatting while passing motion will help reduce the incidence of constipation, hemorrhoid and colorectal issues.
Is this supplement safe to take turning pregnancy ? I have very swollen ankles !!
Hey Tommy,
I am not a DR. but have used dehydration and clear, empty veg caps to do this for other substances and it works! Break out the Excalibur, dry the white parts out really well and then when they’re done, chop or blast them in the blender/Vitamix and then put them into the clear veg caps and start out with 1 cap once a day and work up to a level where you feel a difference BUT NEVER GO OVERBOARD and if you’re on MEDS, ask your doctor if it’s OK to try this first. The goal is to find your point of maximum wellness dosage and stick to it. Good luck!