He Lymphatic drainage Help in the fluid retention and the swelling derived from a malfunction of the Lymphatic system This may also be due to excessive accumulation of Liquids and toxins by a practice of Insufficient exercise or one unbalanced diet, excess salt, etc.
Through the drainage massage these toxins can be eliminated, although it is also recommended to follow some dietary guidelines that favor this elimination. At this point, recent research on the diuretic and detoxifying capacity of some Medicinal fungi like him Polyporus and the Maitake. We talk about all this in this post.
Posted on 04/13/2023
Author: Hifas Editorial Team
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He Lymphatic system It is a network of tissues and organs that help the organism to Eliminate toxins, waste and other unwanted materials.
This is part of the immune system and is constituted by a complex network of lymphatic vessels that transport a transparent liquid called lymph. Lymphatic vessels are connected to lymph nodes, which are small structures that are found throughout the body. Lymph nodes contain White blood cells They help fight infections and diseases. The lymphatic system also includes the tonsils, the spleen, the thymus and the bone marrow.
This system is also important for circulatory health since it favors a healthy blood flow by moving the lymph of concentrated areas such as legs or feet.
What is lymphatic drainage and what is it for?
Lymph drainage is a type of massage that is used to help Improve organism's ability to eliminate waste and toxins of tissues, as well as to help lymphatic circulation.
It is used above all to treat diseases and other conditions that cause swelling and fluid retention, such as lymphedema, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It is also used to improve circulation and reduce stress.
This massage consists of soft and rhythmic movements and helps increase the flow of lymphatic fluid through the body, helping to eliminate toxins, waste products and excess fluids.
Why should we keep the lymphatic system clean?
A "shape" lymphatic system makes your body capable of Eliminate all toxins and waste that accumulates in the body, favors blood circulation and makes that feel of Swelling (derived from fluid accumulation).
If we turn it, we can say that Cusing the lymphatic system is clogged, can cause various health problems such as fatigue, weight gain, inflammation and decrease in immunity. Cleaning the lymphatic system helps improve health and general well -being.
The lack of exercise, the lack of iodine, diseases or digestive imbalances can obstruct the lymphatic system and cause health and disease problems.
Luckily, there are many natural forms of detoxify the body and clean the lymphatic system to improve skin problems, arthritis, cellulite, headaches, colds, sinus infections, fatigue, cholesterol, digestive disorders and health in general.
How is it done? Combine adequate massage and food
There are several ways to favor the body's lymphatic drainage: Massage and diet. Both are intended to increase the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body, which helps eliminate toxins, waste and excess fluid. And of course, there are other complementary natural resources that can complement both tools to guarantee complete drainage.
Manual lymphatic massage or drainage
Drenant massage is a technique that implies soft and rhythmic movements in lymphatic ganglia and lymphatic vessels to help promote the circulation of lymph in the body. The movements are made through pressure and release techniques.
The areas of greatest interest for lymphatic drainage due to manual stimulation are the areas where the lymph nodes, like the Axilas, the groin, he neck and the Popliteal hole.
Manual drainage exerts little pressure on the body and can be done with the fingers, the palms of the hands or the thumbs. Pressure movements are carried out in the sense of lymphatic circulation, that is, from the periphery to the center of the body. Relaxation movements favor venous return and facilitate blood circulation.
Medicinal fungi to help the lymphatic system
The Medicinal fungi They are a natural resource with centuries of tradition and, specifically, the use of Polyporus and the Maitake For lymphatic drainage is increasingly popular due to the evidence that supports their use and the options to consume them as a supplement.
Polyporus (Polyporus umbellatus): It is a little known species but very studied for its excellent results in lymphatic drainage and fluid retention, mainly. Therefore it is not surprising that among the most common uses in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTC) Highlight the diuretic.
P. umbellatus Help a Mobilize lymph, avoiding fluid retention and favoring the elimination of edema.
Maitake (Frondosa tap): It is a medicinal fungus that has been the subject of numerous scientific studies during the last 30 years and whose medicinal properties confer important benefits for human health. The Maitake favors lymphatic drainage supporting the natural detoxification process of the body already demonstrated in clinical studies and essays.
Therefore, the Maitake and Polyporus synergistic duo They help detoxify and drain the harmful substances of the organism thanks to their diuretic effects, lymph mobilizers and liver purification. The product Hifas-dotox It combines these species in its most concentrated form (ecological extracts), which guarantees greater presence of bioactive substances and, therefore, effectiveness.
Foods that favor lymphatic drainage
A slow digestive tract also congests the lymphatic system. Foods that directly help the lymphatic system and improve drain favor a healthy blood flow. In general, the Foods rich in potassium They can be useful. Other outstanding foods are:
- Green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and curly, have a high antioxidant content, which help reduce inflammation and favor lymphatic drainage.
- Citrus. Citrus, such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons are full of vitamin C, which helps reinforce the immune system and stimulate lymphatic flow.
- Turmeric. Turmeric is a plant with antioxidants that has anti -inflammatory properties. It can help reduce inflammation and stimulate lymphatic drainage.
- Fennel. Fennel has diuretic properties that can help eliminate toxins from the body and stimulate lymphatic drainage.
- Water. Drinking a lot of water is essential for adequate lymphatic drainage. It helps eliminate toxins and prevent dehydration, which can prevent lymphatic flow. The lymphatic fluid is approximately 95% water and becomes thicker and less fluid when it is dehydrated. In fact, one of the most common causes of lymphatic congestion is dehydration.
Last advice for the way: As the perfect enemy of the good, it is recommended to moderate the consumption of fatty, salty or difficult to digest. For example, you can suppress meat, cheese, eggs, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, etc. To compensate, bet on fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, integral cereals, nuts ...
Salt and fluid retention
At the same time, you should avoid eating too much salt. Excess salt favors water storage in the tissues and is an element of the diet associated with those known as noncommunicable diseases (ENT) and which has been directly related to cardiovascular diseases, gastric cancer and obesity.
The WHO recommends maximum daily consumption of 5 g. The Food Standards Agency From the United Kingdom, it raises this amount to 6 g, but in any case, both values are far from the data available in Spain (2012) that raise daily consumption to 9.8 g per person.
How to know if you suffer a lymphatic congestion
Almost any part of the body can be affected by a malfunction of the lymphatic system. These are some clues to know that lymphatic drainage is necessary:
- Rigidity, especially in the morning
- Fatigue
- Itching and dry skin
- Swelling
- Breast swelling with each cycle
- Fluid retention
- Cerebral fog
- Inflamed glands
- Persistent weight gain
- Chronic sinusitis, throat pain, cold or ear problems
- Cellulitis
- Cold hands and feet
Summary: Fundamental ideas of lymph drainage
In short, in everything Detox plan It is very important to be attentive to the health of our lymphatic system and there are several methods to improve its drainage, as we have seen before. There are more manual methods for lymphatic drainage, such as massages, but there are also other tools that, such as medicinal fungi, They help improve lymphatic movement and eliminate swelling.
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- Zhao Yy. Traditional uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Quality Control of Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fries: A Review. J ethnopharmacol. 2013; 149 (1): 35-48.