Herbs To Promote Lymphatic Drainage

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries for numerous health reasons, including improving your lymphatic drainage. Like blood vessels, your lymphatic vessels branch into all of your body's tissues. In some cases, your lymphatic system, including your nodes and vessels, can become congested, causing numerous health problems. Before taking herbs to help promote your lymphatic flow, visit your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks associated with herbal supplementation.

Lymphatic System

Your lymphatic system is a complex system comprised of your bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Your lymphatic vessels transport lymph and white blood cells throughout your body. Lymph is a watery, colorless fluid similar to plasma. Your lymphatic system is responsible for removing excess fluid from your tissues, transporting immune cells to and from your lymph nodes and absorbing and transporting fatty acids. If your lymphatic vessels are unable to drain lymph fluid back to your heart, swelling and other symptoms can manifest.

Alterative Herbs

Certain herbs are known as alteratives. Alteratives are substances that help cleanse your blood and lymph and may help improve your lymphatic drainage. Dr. William Mitchell, naturopath and author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that purple coneflower, wild indigo, Oregon grape root, barberry, bittersweet, abscess root, elderberry, dandelion, black root, American ivy, Chinese sumac and alfalfa are herbs that have alterative action. Burdock, cleavers, echinacea, red clover and nettles may also have alterative action.

Featured Herb

Burdock is one of the most commonly used alteratives to help improve your lymphatic drainage. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that burdock has been used for hundreds of years as a blood purifier and diuretic to help your body get rid of excess water. Burdock has also been used to help treat skin conditions, including acne, eczema and psoriasis. Burdock is a plant indigenous to Europe and the northern parts of Asia. The root of the burdock plant is used to make herbal medicine.

Considerations

Herbs can exert powerful effects on your body and should be taken under the care and guidance of a health care professional with advanced training in botanical medicine. Before taking herbs to help improve your lymphatic drainage, you should be aware of any side effects and drug interactions that may occur. Proper dosage and proper methods of ingestion are also important to understand. If you are pregnant, you should be particularly cautious about which herbs you consume, as some herbs may disrupt your pregnancy.