Lymphatic System and Burdock Root

Several years ago, I was informed by my doctor that the large lumps under my armpits were not due to cancer, thank goodness, but due to clogged lymph nodes.  I was told to stop using deodorant, especially antiperspirants immediately.  Well that was easy, I didn't use any.  I didn't sweat, period.  That raised some concern with the doctor.  He then told me to increase my daily water consumption and make sure I drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, not counting any other juices, milk etc.  I don't remember what all else I was asked to do, but I did notice that within a couple of weeks, the lumps under my armpits had significantly diminished.

Over the years, I have come to realize that my lymphatic system was not functioning like it should since I was a very little girl.  From about age two, I was a very sickly child.  I got all of the childhood diseases, plus a few more.  About the only thing I didn't get was polio.

Needless to say, I've been on a quest to clean my lymphatic system most of my adult life, but especially as of late.  I've made great progress.  I've been reading and studying up on it, and have realized just how important this system is. The lymphatic fluid rests just below the skin; if it is toxic or sluggish (from processed foods, smoking, chemical body products, lack of exercise), the skin simply won’t look good. A healthy glow comes from the inside out. Even the fluid in the eyes is lymphatic fluid. The cleaner your are inside, the brighter and clearer your eyes will be – truly a window to your health!

The following is by Reuben Chow, reported in the Natural News. "The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system and functions as the body's "drainage" system. While it often doesn't get as much attention as the cardiovascular system, it actually plays vital roles in maintaining good health and combating disease."

Below are key points regarding the functions of the lymphatic system:

• Lymphatic vessels remove blood proteins and excess water from spaces surrounding bodily cells - this allows the cells to receive critical oxygen. A congested lymphatic system results in oxygen-deprived cells, which in the long-term can lead to various pains and diseases.
• Lymph fills spaces between bodily cells, bringing nutrients to the cells as well as removing unwanted materials from them - these include dead cells, bacteria, heavy metals, fatty globules, and other waste products.
• Bringing toxins away from cells is actually the lymphatic system's main function. Lymph circulates through the lymphatic system, carrying waste materials away from various parts of the body.
• The lymph nodes then filter the lymph, neutralizing and dumping bacteria and other pathogens, as well as neutralizing and getting rid of other toxins. They then bring these materials to the bloodstream, while the lymphocytes are allowed to pass through.
• Thereafter, the unwanted toxins are brought through the blood to the kidneys and liver, organs of detoxification, where they are dealt with and then excreted from the body. Some of the lymph is also dumped straight into the large intestines, where it is excreted with the feces.

Knowing this, I now needed to find ways to clean my lymph and strengthen it so it would function properly.  Key points to help with this task are:

• ·         exercise regularly, especially rebounding (mini-tramp)
• ·         dry skin brushing
• ·         eating healthy, especially more fruits and vegetables
• ·         drinking the right amount of water for your body
• ·         deep breathing to increase oxygen to your cells
• ·         lymphatic massage

Burdock Root (Powder)

Herbs also play a vital part in healing and cleansing the lymph system.  They include:

• ·         Cleavers
• ·         RedClover
• ·         BurdockRoot
• ·         Astragalus
• ·         Echinacea
• ·         Goldenseal
• ·         Pokeroot
• ·         Wild Indigo Root

These are all excellent herbs that will help cleanse the lymphatic system and flush out toxins accumulated in the lymph. All herbal products should be taken in conjunction with an organic food diet or food which is free of any and all chemical products and substances.

Burdock Root is especially good for:

• Detoxing Blood and Lymph (It is a blood purifier.)
• Relieves liver and gall bladder ailments
• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Promotes Perspiration
• Has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
• Releases Water retention
• Aids in circulation

1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon daily

As I have been taking a combination of several of the above herbals, and constantly strive to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, exercise daily-especially those that stimulate the lymph such as rebounding and jump roping, doing the dry skin brushing etc., I have noticed a big improvement.  I see it in my eyes, and I feel it in my legs, as well as the lymph nodes under my arms.  My eyes are becoming greener every day, the orange haze is disappearing.  My legs, specifically my calves, do not swell as much.  I now sweat which keeps my underarm lymph nodes from swelling.  I rarely get sick, but when I do, I feel it is more a detox cleanse type of being sick, rather than catching the next virus going around.  I am more healthy today than I was during my childhood.

Like I've mentioned before in other posts, Bulk Supplements are a great place to obtain many of the herbs listed above.  They offer the cleanest, purest forms of dry herbs and supplements.  I have recommended them to friends and family. 

Rebounding Benefits (Mini-Tramp Exercise)

Rebounding, or jumping on a mini-tramp for exercise provides many benefits.  Throughout the years, I've add various issues regarding a sluggish lymphatic system.  Doing my own personal research, I learned how rebounding is one of those great exercises to help with this.  Not only that, but rebounding helps considerably in increasing circulation.

I've been doing a lot of research lately to find the best all round exercise.  As a little child, I remember my mom telling me that I caught everything that came along and was always sick. Even immunizations didn't always help me.  I made it my goal to live and eat a healthier life style when I grew up.  To some extent I was successful.  Now I'm starting to fall back down again, and with my research have discovered that my lymphatic system may never have been what it should have been.  That is your immune system.

Lymphatic System

I have discovered that there are 2 really great exercises to help your lymphatic system; rebounding and jump roping.  I don't have the space to jump rope indoors, and wanted something that I could do either inside or outside.  Rebounding is my answer.  You can find articles that describe various types of rebounders.  You'll need to decide what works best for you.  Currently I am using a mini-tramp rebounder.  There are pros and cons to it.  The one that tops my pro list is the price and convenience of obtaining one.  It meets all the requirements to provide me with a great exercise experience.

Mini Tramp Rebounder

My routine includes 2 minutes of warm ups where I keep my feet firm on the mat and just bump around, not jump.  Then I follow with 50 jumping jacks, easing my way upwards by 25 each week.  Then I jog in place, so that the total time of all of this is just under 10 minutes.  Then when my husband comes down to do his Tabata Exercising (mountain climbers), I will follow the pattern and jog as fast as I can for 20 seconds, rest jog for 10, and back on again for 4 minutes.  Then I do 3-5 minutes of cool down jogging.  This is my routine for the first week.

The 2nd week I'll do that and later will be going back down for another 10 minute jogging exercise.  The 3rd and 4th week I'll add an additional 10 minute jogging routine each week.  So by the 4th week I'll actually be jumping approximately 50 minutes or so.  There are several youtube video workouts to choose from.

Please share your experiences with Rebounding.

Check out these articles about rebounding.

http://www.wellbeingjournal.com/rebounding-good-for-the-lymph-system/

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/expect-weight-loss-results-rebounding-11786.html

31 Ways Trampoline Jogging/Rebounding can improve your Well Being

1.  Rebounding strengthens the heart and other muscles in the body so that they work more efficiently.

2.  Rebounding provides an increased G-force (gravitational load), which strengthens the musculoskeletal systems.

3.  Rebounding protects the joints from the chronic fatigue and impact delivered by exercising on hard surfaces.

4.  Rebounding helps manage body composition and improves muscle-to-fat ratio.

5.  Rebounding aids lymphatic circulation by stimulating the millions of one-way valves in the lymphatic system.

6.  Rebounding establishes a better equilibrium between the oxygen required by the tissues and the oxygen made available.

7.  Rebounding increases capacity for breathing.

8.  Rebounding circulates more oxygen to the tissues.

9.  Rebounding results in better mental performance, with keener learning processes.

10.  Rebounding tends to reduce the level to which the arterial pressures rise during exertion.

11.  Rebounding can lessen the time during which blood pressure remains abnormal after severe activity.

12.  Rebounding increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.

13.  Rebounding decreases the volume of blood pooling in the veins of the cardiovascular system preventing chronic edema.

14.  Rebounding improves resting metabolic rate; therefore more calories are burned for hours after exercise.

15.  Rebounding causes muscles to perform work in circulating fluids through the body to lighten the heart's load.

16.  Rebounding encourages collateral circulation by increasing the capillary count in the muscles and decreasing the distance between the capillaries and the target cells.

17.  Rebounding lowers circulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

18.  Rebounding lowers low-density lipoprotein (bad) in the blood and increases high-density lipoprotein (good) holding off the incidence of coronary artery disease.

19.  Rebounding promotes tissue repair.

20.  Rebounding for longer than 20 minutes at a moderate intensity increases the mitochondria count within the muscle cells, essential for endurance.

21.  Rebounding adds to the alkaline reserve of the body, which may be of significance in an emergency requiring prolonged effort.

22.  Rebounding improves coordination between the proprioceptors in the joints, the transmission of nerve impulses to and from the brain, transmission of nerve impulses and responsiveness of the muscle fibers.

23.  Rebounding improves the brain’s responsiveness to the vestibular apparatus within the inner ear, thus improving balance.

24.  Rebounding offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.

25.  Rebounding enhances digestion and elimination processes.

26.  Rebounding allows for deeper and easier relaxation and sleep.

27.  Rebounding can curtail fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.

28.  Rebounding minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.

29.  Rebounding tends to slow down atrophy in the aging process.

30.  Rebounding is an effective form of exercise by which the user gains a sense of control and an improved self image.

31.  Rebounding is Fun!