Importance of Lymph Health
What is the big deal about your Lymph glands/nodes?
Like Cinderella, the lymph works quietly in the corner to clean up the mess made by essentially all the other systems in the body.
Most people don’t know how critical and valuable this part of your body is, but according to the Eastern Medical Center, “…The lymphatic system, which is closely linked with the immune system, helps to clear the body of harmful metabolic waste products, foreign material and cell debris. But if there are too many accumulated toxins in the body, overwhelming the lymphatic system and affecting lymph flow … this can make elimination of those toxins increasingly difficult. It’s a vicious cycle that can result in a range of health concerns including poor circulation, varicose veins, hormonal imbalances and enlargement of the heart and spleen. Those conditions then further slow blood circulation to and from the organs of the digestive system, which can stress the heart and raise the blood pressure.”
At Gentle Wellness Center, we are all about different ways to help the Lymph – here are a couple that you may find work wonders for you!
Dry Skin Brushing
Would you believe this technique takes less than 5 minutes a day?
The Mercola website states, “…Your skin is your largest organ, after all, and there is one simple step you can add to your morning routine that can greatly improve its health – dry skin brushing. Your skin is a complex system made up of nerves, glands, and cell layers that, when healthy, serves as a buffer that helps protect your body from extreme temperatures and chemicals.
It also produces antibacterial substances to protect you from infection and enables your body to produce Vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Your skin even contains densely packed nerve cells that act as messengers to your brain, making your skin a crucial part of your interactions with the world around you.
Another crucial role your skin plays is supporting optimal detoxification. But if your skin is overrun with toxins or dead skin cells, it will not be able to eliminate wastes from your body efficiently.
This is where dry skin brushing can be invaluable, not only in brushing off dead skin cells but also in activating waste removal via your lymph nodes.”
The benefits to dry skin brushing are endless – not only does it help to stimulate your lymphatic system, it also can help by:
Exfoliating the Body
Increasing Circulation
Reducing Cellulite
Improving Digestion & Kidney Function
Providing Stress Relief
Homemade Body Scrub
Why is Body Scrub so important? Using non-toxic body scrubs will help rejuvenate the skin and remove dead cells. They also get the blood flowing which helps cleanse the other oh-so-important organs. Not to mention, it feels Ah-mazing!
INGREDIENTS:
¾ Cup of Organic Coconut Oil
¼ Cup of Unrefined Sea Salt
¼ Cup Organic Raw Sugar
6+ Drops of your favorite Doterra Essential Oil
2 Tablespoons of Raw Honey
DIRECTIONS:
Set the coconut oil in a warm area where it can melt naturally, or use a ceramic pot on the stove over gentle heat. It’s better to use non-metal bowls because it can be reactive to certain materials thereby reducing efficacy.
Add honey and mix.
Add the salt/sugar scrubbers and stir until well blended.
Add essential oil drops and mix. Test to see if the smell is strong enough for your liking. If not, add more.
Transfer to a non-metal container with a lid, and enjoy!
Check out these links below for more great information!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/24/dry-skin-brushing.aspx
http://thesoftlanding.com/how-to-make-a-detoxifying-body-scrub/