Supplements For Lymphatic Drainage

Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in stimulating your lymphatic system and promoting lymphatic drainage. According to MedlinePlus, your lymphatic system filters fluid from around your cells and is an important part of your immune system. Lymphatic drainage helps remove metabolic byproducts and toxins from your body. Before taking dietary supplements to promote lymphatic drainage, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Burdock

Burdock, also known as Arctium lappa, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in promoting lymphatic drainage. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, burdock, a member of the aster family, has been used for numerous health purposes, including clearing your bloodstream of toxins. Burdock is a biennial plant native to Europe and certain parts of Asia, although it now grows throughout the United States. Burdock has a sweet, bitter and slightly mucilaginous taste, possesses cooling tendencies and can grow to a maximum height of 4 feet. The root of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that burdock is an effective blood and lymph purifier that promotes lymphatic drainage and helps immune system function. Long-term consumption of burdock can lead to urinary tract irritation.

Red Root

Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that red root, also known as Ceanothus americanus or New Jersey tea, is an astringent, expectorant and lymphagogue. A lymphagogue is a substance that supports your lymphatic organs and stimulates the activity of your lymph system. Tilgner notes that red root is used to help treat lymphatic, splenic and liver congestion, enlarged lymph nodes, sinusitis, chronic post-nasal drip and mononucleosis. Red root is helpful in treating subacute and chronic conditions and can help decrease swollen lymph nodes and adenoids, or masses of lymphoid tissue at the back of your nose. Red root is a shrub native to North America that belongs to the buckthorn family, has an astringent taste and possesses drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of the shrub for medicinal purposes.

Queen's Root

Queen's root, a member of the spurge family, is a perennial plant native to North America, especially the southern United States. Queen's root, also known as Stillingia sylvatica, features an acrid taste, possesses stimulating tendencies and promotes secretory activity of your mucus membranes and the removal of metabolic waste products from your body. The fresh root of the plant is used for numerous health reasons, including the promotion of lymphatic drainage. According to Tilgner, queen's root is a lymphagogue and alterative, or a substance that cleanses your lymph and blood. Queen's root, notes Tilgner, has been used to help treat congested lymphatic system, tonsillitis, croup, mastitis and chronic rheumatism. Queen's root may be especially helpful in promoting lymphatic drainage and reducing your swollen lymph nodes. If you are pregnant warns Tilgner, your should avoid taking queen's root.