John and Susan Houser

Until the latter part of the 20th century, the role of the lymphatic system was not clearly understood. The system is a complimentary system to the circulatory system. The circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells, while the lymphatic system is responsible for cleaning up cellular waste and debris.

The lymphatic system permeates every part of the body. It draws fluid from the tissue spaces and carries it through a series of lymphatic ducts and nodes back to the circulatory system. The lymph nodes are primary sites of immune activity, where lymphatic fluid is purified before being returned to the circulatory system.

When the lymphatic system is overloaded with debris, the lymph nodes will become swollen and inflamed, and the lymphatic system will become congested. Most people have felt swollen lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) in their neck when they've had a sore throat, as sore throats always involve some degree of lymphatic congestion and stagnation.

Lymphatic congestion is at the base of many common health problems besides, not only sore throats, but tonsillitis, earaches and ear infections, breast swelling and tenderness, some cases of prostate swelling, and chronic sinus problems. Some clues that indicate lymphatic congestion may be present include a heavy coating on the tongue and a rolling or slippery pulse. Another way to determine if lymphatic circulation is sluggish is to depress the skin on the back of the hand with the thumb. If the skin takes three or more seconds to return to normal color after being depressed, the lymphatics are probably sluggish.

The first key to reducing lymphatic sluggishness is to make certain you are drinking an adequate amount of water. Moderate dehydration will contribute to poor lymphatic drainage. A second key to improving lymphatic drainage is activity. Because the lymphatic system has no pump (unlike the circulatory system which is actively powered by the heart), it depends on physical movement to create flow. Lymphatic flow greatly increases with even moderate exercise.

One of the best forms of lymphatic exercise is gentle bouncing on a mini trampoline. If a person is unable to stand on the mini trampoline, he or she can still obtain benefit by sitting in a chair next to the mini trampoline with his or her feet on the trampoline. Another person stands on the mini trampoline and gently bounces up and down. This passively moves the lymphatics as the seated person's legs move up and down. If you don't own a mini trampoline, don't worry. Just walking and breathing deeply will greatly enhance lymphatic circulation, as will any other form of moderate exercise.

There are many herbs that can help enhance lymphatic drainage. These include mullein, lobelia, echinacea, red root, red clover, yarrow, calendula, plantain, ocotillo, stillingia, and cleavers. Although these herbs can be used separately, they are usually more effective as part of a formula.

Four capsules of mullein taken with one capsule of lobelia is a powerful combination for reducing swollen lymph nodes, even in extreme situations such as the mumps. Red root and echinacea are also a powerful team for shrinking swollen lymph nodes, especially when there is a low grade infection in the body. Two commercial formulas that can help with lymphatic swelling and low grade infections are Lymph Gland Cleanse and Lymph Gland Cleanse-HY. These formulas both contain yarrow and echinacea as lymphatic cleansers and infection fighters. The regular version of this formula contains goldenseal, while the HY version of the formula exchanges myrrh gum for goldenseal. It was designed for hypoglycemics who do not tolerate the blood sugar lowering effect of goldenseal very well.

For chronic lymphatic congestion and swelling, the newly improved Lymphomax formula is very helpful. This is an excellent formula which contains seven of the lymph moving herbs previously mentioned--mullein, plantain, cleavers, echinacea, yarrow, lobelia and red root. This is a very effective blend for swollen lymph nodes, chronic sore throats, breast swelling and tenderness, and chronic respiratory congestion due to lymphatic congestion.

A gentler, but equally effective, lymphatic remedy is the Lymphatic Drainage Formula. It contains three lymphatic herbs--cleavers, red clover, and stillingia--along with the circulatory enhancing herb, prickly ash. This herbal extract can be added to water and sipped frequently throughout the day to improve drainage in the lymphatic system. Being in a liquid form, it is an excellent lymphatic remedy for young children and the elderly.

Keeping the lymphatic system flowing freely is one of the fundamental principles of maintaining good health. Using the two keys to increasing lymphatic movement (water and physical activity), along with some of the lymph-moving herbs we've discussed, can keep this vital branch of the circulatory system working properly.

Selected References The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood The Golden Seven Plus One by C. Samuel West Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn and David Winston

For Educational Purposes Only Seek appropriate professional assistance for all serious health problems. Handout prepared by Tree of Light Publishing P.O. Box 911239, St. George, UT 84791 (www.treelite.com)2003 May be reproduced provided it is not altered in any way.

Improved Lymphomax Outstanding Remedy for Stagnant and Congested Lymphatics

As its name implies, Lymphomax is a remedy for the lymphatic system. It works to promote better lymphatic drainage, to reduce fluid retention in the tissues and to shrink swollen lymph nodes. It is also alterative, meaning it works to relieve stagnation. It also clears up congestion and excess mucus production in the body. Lymphomax also has a blood purifying effect for low grade infections and fevers.

Some of the specific health conditions Lymphomax may help to improve include: mumps, tonsillitis, chronic sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, frequent ear infections (especially in adults), chronic sinus and respiratory congestion, low grade infections, cysts, and low grade fevers or heat in the body. It contains the following herbs:

Mullein Leaves (Verbascum thapsus) Although mullein is typically thought of as a respiratory remedy, it is a gentle alterative and lymphatic cleanser. It softens hardened tissues in the lungs and lymphatics.

Bayberry Root Bark (Myrica cerifera) An excellent astringent for the mucus membranes, bayberry is used to reduce excessive mucus secretions and to cut sticky mucus so it can be more easily expelled from the body.

Cleavers Herb (Galium aparine) Cleaver is a gentle, but effective, kidney and lymphatic remedy. It promotes lymphatic drainage and shrinks swollen lymph nodes in children. Its action as a non-irritating diuretic make it useful for bladder inflammation, cystitis, and urethritis.

Plantain Herb (Plantago major) A tissue healing herb, plantain pulls pus and infection out of wounds. It can also help to eliminate hardened mucus from the lungs. It promotes lymphatic drainage and helps fight infection in the lymphatic system, as evidenced by its ability to shrink cysts.

Alfalfa Herb (Medicago sativa) An alternative and nutritive, alfalfa nourishes the blood and alkalizes the body.

Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita) Possessing anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile helps ease stress and tension while reducing heat in the body.

Echinacea Root (Echinacea purpurea) Well known for its immune stimulating properties, echinacea is a blood purifier and lymphatic enhancer. It has been used for boils, blood poisoning, tonsillitis, cystitis, and other diseases involving lymphatic congestion and toxins or infection in the blood and lymph.

Yarrow Flowers (Achillea millefolium) Another outstanding lymphatic herb, yarrow is used for fevers and wound healing. It helps resolve deep heat in the blood or low grade chronic inflammation. It also reduces stagnation in the blood and lymph.

Garlic Bulb (Allium sativim) A wonderful infection fighter, garlic is primarily used for fighting infections in the respiratory tract. It also clears toxins from the lymphatics.

Red Root (Ceanothus americanus) Red root is a remedy that works primarily on the spleen and the lymphatics. It is an excellent remedy for swollen lymph glands, lymphatic stagnation, enlargement of the spleen, and fluid retention.

Lobelia Herb (Lobelia inflata) A powerful antispasmodic nervine, lobelia relaxes tissues. It also promotes lymphatic drainage and helps expel mucus from the lungs.

Chlorophyll (Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin) Chlorophyll is the green blood of plants and acts as a blood purifier and alterative.

Dosage The suggested dose for Lymphomax is two capsules twice daily. However, for acute or serious conditions the dose could be increased to two capsules every two to four hours. Lymphomax should be taken with ample amounts of pure water (6-8 glasses per day) for maximum effectiveness.

Selected References The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn and David Winston Herbal Therapeutics by David Winston The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier

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Raleigh Herb Shop
Owner-John Houser, Herb Specialist
919-875-1005

6320 - 132 Capital Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27616