Sometimes, it can feel like your skin isn’t on your team. It erupts in breakouts, unexplained rashes, your eyes are puffy no matter how much sleep you had, and one day you look in the mirror and notice sagging or wrinkles that you swore weren’t there yesterday.
Our lymphatic system is a key player in immunity, detoxification and overall health including our skin, one of our largest excretory organs.
So, what is your lymphatic system and how can you work it to your skin’s advantage? Think of the lymphatic system as a garbage disposal system – cellular debris, toxins, excess water and other physiological waste products are channelled away from the tissues of the body and into the lymph for drainage and excretion. In this way, lymph is circulated somewhat similarly to blood, however unlike blood, the lymph doesn’t have the heart to pump it. Lymph needs to move manually.
From a naturopathic perspective,
when the lymph isn’t draining optimally, the fluid containing metabolic wastes, proteins and dead cells can accumulate in the tissue, impacting the function of the skin as an excretory organ and protective barrier. In this way, sluggish lymphatic function can contribute to eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea, cellulite (or fatty deposits), dull, puffy and uneven skin.
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels and organs that has three main functions:
- The removal of excess fluids from body tissues.
- Absorption of fatty acids and subsequent transport of fat, chyle, to the circulatory system.
- Production of immune cells (such as lymphocytes, monocytes, and antibody producing cells called plasma cells).
Our lymph fluid carries the metabolic waste products and destroyed bacteria back into the bloodstream via ducts. Then our liver or kidneys remove the waste and pass it out of the body along with other body wastes through bowel movements or urine.
Increased stress, poor diet, too much coffee, inadequate water intake and little exercise can have a huge impact on your lymphatic system.
The lymph doesn’t have a pump like the blood has the heart – so we need to move lymph manually.
So how can we get the lymph moving nicely and stop the accumulation of waste and toxins in the skin and tissues?
- Drink a glass of water on rising, with the juice of half or a whole fresh lemon
- Drink 2-3 L water/day + 500 mL for each hour of exercise. Keep your body hydrated, lymph is largely water
- Dry skin brushing every morning before showering. Lymph is just under the skin so can be stimulated by brushing.
- In the shower, alternate the water between warm and cool. Warm water delivers blood and lymph to the extremities, whilst cool water assists with circulation to vital organs.
- Exercise gently 30 minutes each day. Activities like swimming, walking, bike riding. These gently promote the movement of lymph around the body
- Relax and/or meditate every day. Deep diaphragmatic breathing not only stimulates the lymph system, by pulling the lymph through the bloodstream, but it also helps decrease cortisol, our fight or flight hormone, activated in times of significant stress.
- Encourage elimination of toxins through the skin with a weekly Epsom salts bath (Not recommended in cases of high blood pressure or eczema).
- Promote sweating and enhance detoxification with a weekly sauna visit. (Not recommended in cases of high blood pressure).
- Enjoy a lymphatic drainage massage once a week.
- Take the supplements prescribed by your naturopath
Incorporate these easy strategies to assist your lymphatic system, for clearer and healthier skin.
If you require additional detoxification and skin support, consider a tailored naturopathic approach of herbs and nutrients to optimise your lymphatic system. Contact us today to make an appointment with our experienced naturopath Cassandra at Sustainable Health and Wellness Clinic.
