Warm Tea for your Lymphatic System!

Tea is my absolute favorite beverage to drink---caffeinated, herbal, hot, cold--it always fills me with a combination of comfort and vitality!  As an almost lifelong lymphie, I'm always looking for simple lifestyle changes or dietary modifications that might help support my lymphatic system.   I try to find things that I actually enjoy or could easily integrate into my schedule--why make life more complicated than I have to, right?

Take a look at these herbal teas that may help boost or nurture your lymph!

1. Nettle tea

Most health food stores sell both fresh nettle and pre-packaged tea bags. If you buy it fresh, be careful while you handle it!  It's not called Stinging Nettle for nothing!  Don't worry though, it doesn't really hurt, it's more like an uncomfortable sensation that lasts a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Nettle is thought to improve circulation, decrease inflammation, and assist the body's detoxification process.  It stimulates the lymph fluid, and because it contains high levels of iron and Vitamin C, it also increases red blood cell production.  These processes aid lymph movement and blood flow respectively, having a positive impact on overall circulation, particularly in the extremities.

The taste of Nettle tea can be described as earthy and smooth.  Some people have described it as tasting like "spinach water," but I feel this is a bit of an exaggeration and misleading.  It is one of my favorite teas to drink!

2. Echinacea tea

I typically see Echinacea sold in the form of an herb or a tincture.  When using a tincture, I simply add a dropper-full into hot water or hot tea.  Echinacea is reported to be anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and a stimulant for the lymph system. Though researchers report mixed findings, there is some evidence that echinacea can boost the immune system to quicken the body's recovery time when fighting an infection (such as cellulitis!).  Other studies suggest that Echinacea is more effective when paired with other immune-boosting herbs, such as goldenseal or red root.  

Admittedly, Echinacea is not the best tasting tea; however, I feel the benefits outweigh the strong, bitter flavor.  If the fresh herb is not steeped too long, a more floral taste can be enjoyed.

3. Ginger tea

To make Ginger tea you can either buy pre-packaged ginger tea bags or buy ginger root.  I prefer the root because I feel like I get more benefit making the tea fresh (I'm not certain if that is true or not) and because it is cheaper and very easy to make.  You simply fill a pot with water, cut thin slices of the root, put the sliced ginger in the water, bring the water to boil for several minutes, and then let it stew for 5-10 minutes.

Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory agents, gingerols, which help reduce pain and improve mobility.  It is also thought to improve circulation and help clear the lymphatic system of toxins by increasing the flow.

Ginger tea is another favorite of mine, and I drink it almost daily.  (On a side note, ginger is also successful in relieving digestive discomfort).  When brewed strongly, ginger has a spicy, peppery flavor that has a warmness about it.

4. Dandelion tea

Yes, this tea is made out of that weed with the bright yellow flower.  However, I've never made the tea fresh from the weeds (though many people do!).  I typically purchase tea bags from a health food store.  This tea is probably the least effective on this list in directly supporting the functioning of the lymphatic system, but I do feel that its myriad benefits are important when considering the lymphatic system as it relates to our bodies as a whole.   Dandelion tea contains numerous amino acids, vitamins, and minerals including but not limited to: iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, niacin, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, and B vitamins.  It is thought to support several body systems, such as lymphatic, digestive, and circulatory as well as organs such as the liver and kidneys.  It promotes general well-being and harmony in our body systems, which optimizes function and decreases stress and inflammation.

Dandelion tea has a light, slightly bitter, roasted taste.  Some sources have compared it to coffee; however, I will not say that because I don't think it's true.  It definitely does NOT taste like coffee. However, I do like the flavor and rank it right up there with Nettle.



One last thing-try not to add dairy milk or sugar, both of which are inflammatory and can increase your lymphatic system's workload!



Happy Brewing! Let me know what you think about these teas or any that I missed in the comments!


Sources:

Nettle
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/stinging-nettle.html
http://www.herballegacy.com/Vance_Medicinal.html

Echinacea
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_herbal_supplements.htm
http://www.drinkherbaltea.com/echinacea-tea/

Ginger
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/lymphedema.htm
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/lymphedema.html
http://blog.doctoroz.com/oz-experts/herb-of-the-month-ginger

Dandelion
http://www.gentle-stress-relief.com/benefits-of-dandelion.html

How to Take Care of Your Lymphatic System

How to Take Care of Your Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is vital to overall health and wellness.  It defends the body against potentially harmful cell changes, fights invading pathogens, and plays a role in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Yet, the majority of us know very little about how to care for our lymphatic systems.  As an individual living with lymphedema, a disease that causes swelling from the accumulation of lymph fluid, and an advocate with the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, I have come to believe that caring for the lymphatics is critical for everyone’s health, whether they have lymphatic disease or not.  

Your lymphatic system is comprised of lymph fluid, which moves through lymphatic vessels and collects bacteria, viruses, and waste products in your body.  The lymphatic vessels lead to lymph nodes, where the waste products are filtered from the lymph, and eventually eliminated through urination.  Most importantly, lymph fluid is not pumped by an organ, as blood is by the heart, and relies on your movements to propel it through the body.  Therefore, it is beneficial to incorporate lymphatic boosting habits into your daily life.   

1. Drink lots of water.  Most of your body’s water resides in the lymphatic system, and lymph fluid is primarily composed of water.  Thus, it is imperative to stay hydrated in order to keep your lymph fluid moving.   If lymph moves too slowly, it will start to accumulate waste, clogging the lymphatic system and putting more pressure on your immune system.  There are many common recommendations regarding daily water intake, including:

• 8-10 8 oz glasses
• Divide your bodyweight in half and drink that many ounces (i.e. if you weight 150 lbs, drink 75 oz of water)
• 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women

More subjective recommendations are to drink water before you are thirsty and to sip on water throughout your day.

2. Drink herbal tea. Certain herbal teas are thought to support the lymphatic system by stimulating lymph flow and/or activating immune system cells:

• Echinacea
• Red root
• Cleavers
• Nettle
• Dandelion root
• Goldenseal
• Astragalus

3. Dry brush your body.  The lymphatic system is located just beneath the surface of your skin, and can be stimulated externally.  Make sure you use a bath brush with natural, coarse bristles.  It is important to mimic the natural flow pattern by brushing gently in a circular motion, always towards your heart.  Ideally, brush once or twice a day before you shower.  Dry skin allows for gentle stretching of the skin as you brush, which will help trigger movement of the lymph.

4. Give yourself a lymphatic massage.  Starting with your fingertips on top of your collarbone, stretch the skin down towards your heart for several seconds and then release for several seconds.  Repeat 3-4 times. Remember, you only need to use light pressure because the lymphatic system is very close to the surface of the skin.  Proceed to the top of the your shoulders, the sides of your neck, behind your ear lobes, in the peak of your left armpit, the center of your abdomen, both sides of your lower abdomen (so your hands are in the shape of a “V”), and in the creases where your legs meet your pelvis. Always stretch the skin towards your heart.  

5. Exercise- especially on a trampoline or in water. Exercising is another way to power lymph flow.  Any type of exercise will benefit your lymphatic system, but rebounding and swimming are optimal.   Rebounding, jumping on a mini trampoline, provides the three necessary forces to move lymph: muscle contraction (when you jump), gravitational pressure (when you are airborne), and internal organ massage (from vertical motion).  Swimming not only provides muscle contraction, but also applies varying pressures on the body depending on the depth of water, which also encourages lymph flow.  Lastly, being submerged in water puts more pressure on the torso, strengthening the breathing muscles.
6. Practice diaphragmatic breathing.  Lay on your back and place your hand on your belly.  Take a deep breath into your stomach and try to make your hand rise, so that your stomach is inflating more than your chest.  Besides relaxing the body, which helps all of our systems function better, diaphragmatic breathing creates a negative pressure which pulls lymph fluid through the lymphatic system.  Once this manner of breathing becomes more natural to you, you can do it at any time of the day, even while sitting at your desk.

Stinky Cabbage, Stinky Foot

Yes, I wrapped my foot and ankle in cabbage in an attempt to reduce my swelling---and I did notice a  reduction in size!  Scroll down to the bottom of the post for my picture results.

Admittedly, this may sound a bit crazy to some.  It sounded quite strange to me at first, too--but, you get to a point where you will try anything as long as it doesn't kill you!

Unlike my last post about Horse Chestnut, there is not any published, valid evidence about using cabbage to treat lymphedema (at least from what I saw during my research).  Most of what exists on the internet consists of fellow lymphedema patients who are dabbling in alternative treatments and writing about their experiences.  Some sources discuss that cabbage has been used to alleviate the pain and discomfort that occurs with breast engorgement when breast feeding.  One theory is that cabbage has properties that encourage widening of blood vessels, which leads to better blood flow. Improved blood flow means better, more efficient circulation and less "junk" that needs to be picked up by the lymphatic system.  Basically, some people think cabbage gets fluid moving!

The cabbage wrap is pretty simple to do, so I'll list the instructions here in case curiosity gets the better of you :)

1. Buy some cabbage, preferably organic.  Some say Savoy cabbage is the best kind to use.
2. Peel off the leaves. The darker, outer leaves are the best. Try to keep them as whole as possible to make it easier to wrap.
3. Wash them and remove the thick stems.

Now you have 2 options.  You can choose one OR the other.

4. Boil water in a large pot and dip the leaves in just for a couple of seconds to soften them up.
OR
4. Dip the leaves in luke warm water and heat the leaves on a skillet for a few seconds on each side to soften them up.

5. Lay them on the counter and flatten the leaves with a rolling pin.
6. Wrap the cabbage around the affected area--it should still be damp.
7. Hold the cabbage in place while wrapping cling-wrap over it. Don't wrap too tight! It should NOT be uncomfortable.  You can use tape to connect loose ends of cling wrap.
8. DO NOT wrap ace bandages over the cling wrap. Ace bandages are terrible for lymphedema. I suppose you could try wrapping your lymphedema bandages if you were feeling ambitious.
9. Keep the cabbage on for at least 4-5 hours, longer if you can.  I slept with mine on!
10. It will stink.



And in case you have any lingering fears that I have gone completely bananas, check out this post from one of my favorite bloggers, LymphedemaGirl.  She tried it, too!
























RESOURCES

http://www.lactationconsultant.info/cabbagecure.html

http://newsmedicalworld.blogspot.com/2013/11/medicalconspiracies-lymphedema-remedies.html

http://www.earthclinic.com/cures/lymphedema.html

Eastern Medicine: Horse Chestnut

In the last couple of years, I've become more intrigued with eastern medicine including acupuncture and herbal supplements.  Having two rare conditions that many medical professionals do not know much about, I feel it is important that I take control of my own health.  As I experiment, I find that I am benefiting both physically and mentally.  Educating myself and becoming aware of what is available is an empowering process.  For me, combining both eastern and western medicine is critical, documenting my trial and error approach to see what works best for my body. 

I would like to begin a series of posts discussing the various alternative treatments I've found for lymphedema and May-Thurner syndrome.  Let's start with the supplement Horse Chestnut.

This supplement might help with both lymphedema (evidence discusses lower extremity edema) and May-Thurner syndrome symptoms. I don't rely on Horse Chestnut exclusively by any means.  I still wear my compression stockings during the day, Solaris Tribute at night, exercise as much as I can, go to acupuncture, drink plenty of water, and take my supplements :)

What is Horse Chestnut?
Horse Chestnut is actually a plant, and its bark, seeds, flowers, and leaves can be used for various medicinal purposes (but, don't eat this plant raw because it contains a poisonous substance!).   The leaves and seeds of Horse Chestnut are what benefit lymphedema and May-Thurner syndrome.

Aescin and Aesculin--the "active ingredients"

The primary reason Horse Chestnut helps with lymphedema and May-Thurner syndrome is a substance called aescin.  Aescin is the main active ingredient in Horse Chestnut and is considered to be an anti-inflammatory agent.  It has been shown to reduce swelling and inflammation, though it has not yet been proven how.  It has been hypothesized that aescin decreases the amount of fluid escaping from capillaries (this fluid is picked up by the lymphatic system) by closing off capillary openings that have formed.  This chemical may also enhance the elasticity and strength of veins, block the release of enzymes that break down collagen and create holes in capillary walls, and prevent other physiological changes that cause vein damage.  Healthy veins are critical for adequate lymphatic movement and blood flow.

Parts of the Horse Chestnut plant also contain a chemical called aesculin.  From my reading, it appears that this substance is most commonly found in the bark and flowers of the plant and is not typically found in supplements when the correct extraction process is used.  It is NOT listed as an active or inactive ingredient in the Horse Chestnut supplement that I use. However, I just want to note that aesculin is known to have blood thinning properties.  

Controversial Characteristic of Horse Chestnut
A questionable characteristic of Horse Chestnut as it relates to management of lymphedema is its ability to act as a gentle diuretic.  I feel that this is a bit of a controversial topic because there is much disagreement among the lymphedema community about the use of diuretics.  Some people report relief from swelling when taking fluid retention medication (i.e. Lasix), and there are some doctors who prescribe it for lymphedema patients.  However, many professionals explain that taking medication like Lasix is not appropriate for lymphedema because lymph fluid is comprised of many materials in addition to fluid/water, including protein.  By taking a medicine like Lasix, the fluid component of lymph is flushed out, leaving behind the protein that will likely eventually turn fibrous if it is not moved through the lymphatic system. 

Horse Chestnut is NOT NEARLY as strong as Lasix--I just wanted to touch on this issue.  But, it can be a whole separate post, so I will move on for now :) 


Scientific Research
There have been several peer-reviewed studies (of varying validity) that suggest Horse Chestnut improves vein function and reduces symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and edema.  I am going to focus on the research in support of Horse Chestnut in my post--although I really can't remember coming across any studies showing that Horse Chestnut worsened symptoms.  One study in particular (Sirtori, C.R. 2001)  a double blind, placebo-controlled study with 240 participants, showed that taking Horse Chestnut was just as effective as wearing compression stockings to treat venous insufficiency and post-operative edema.   It should be noted that the group taking Horse Chestnut took longer to improve than the group wearing compression; however, the end results were comparable (I am not saying to stop wearing your compression stockings if you try Horse Chestnut-I still wear mine religiously!).  Another study (Guillaume, M. & Padioleau, F. 1994) showed that Horse Chestnut improves venous flow and pressure in the upper thigh and pelvic region (femoral area) in rats.  A third study (Suter, A.; Bommer, S. & Rechner, J. 2006), demonstrated patients taking Horse Chestnut significantly reduced symptoms of venous insufficiency including lower leg edema, heaviness, and itching in 4 clinical trials.


THIS IS THE SUPPLEMENT I USE:

ANALYSIS/SUMMARY

Benefits for Lymphedema:
The lymphatic system is very closely tied to the cardiovascular system--these two processes make up our entire circulatory systems.  Horse Chestnut facilitates healthy blood flow, which is critical in supporting the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system's primary job is to collect fluid that has leaked from the blood and return it back to the blood.  The most important benefits Horse Chestnut provides lymphedema patients are its ability to reduce fluid leakage from veins and capillaries and its anti-inflammatory components.  Horse Chestnut appears to take some pressure off the lymphatic system (which seems pretty awesome for those of us who have impaired lymphatic systems!).

Benefits for May-Thurner syndrome
People with May-Thurner syndrome have a partially (or completely) blocked vein in their pelvic region.  It is imperative that patients maintain adequate blood flow to reduce their risk of developing blood clots.  Horse Chestnut promotes vascular health, and many studies have shown improvement in overall vein function and blood flow.  Developing stronger veins (specifically collateral veins located near the pelvis) is an effective way to divert some blood flow away from the blocked vein. 

Additional Miscellaneous Information
*Horse Chestnut is the 3rd most widespread use of single herbs in Germany and is available in injection form in Japan to reduce inflammation after surgery or injury.

*Horse Chestnut containing at least16% to 20% of the chemical aescin may help enhance blood circulation.  This may relieve chronic venous insufficiency, swelling, and other blood flow disorders.

*Do NOT take Horse Chestnut during pregnancy.   Research is lacking in this area.
 
*BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING HORSE CHESTNUT. I am not a doctor and am not recommending this to anyone.  This post is merely discussing reading that I have done and my personal experience.  Further, this supplement may interact with aspirin and blood thinning medication.

RESOURCES

 http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1055-horse%20chestnut.aspx?activeingredientid=1055&activeingredientname=horse%20chestnut

http://www.drugs.com/npc/horse-chestnut.html 

http://druginfosys.com/Drug.aspx?drugCode=784&drugName=Aescin&type=1

http://health.cvs.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3&chunkiid=21758

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661801908473

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/aesculus-hippocastanum.html

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_herbal_supplements.htm

http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16644618

Presenting Miss Kathy Bates!

Thank you Kathy Bates!!!!   The lymphedema community has a celebrity spokesperson!  I know Ms. Bates stepped up a few months ago now, but it deserves to be applauded and discussed again and again.   As an essentially invisible community in the mainstream society, we desperately needed someone who could take the cause by storm and gain national (and international) attention.  Even though lymphedema and lymphatic disease affect up to 10 million people in the U.S., which is more than who suffer from ALS, AIDS, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis COMBINED (Lymphatic Education and Research Network)...there is astonishingly little awareness both among the masses and the medical community.

Watch Kathy Bates on an episode of The Doctors here


This lack of general knowledge is excruciatingly frustrating, particularly when you go to a new doctor and have to explain the whole lymphatic system to him or her and why compression stockings from the drug store will not help the swelling. These exhausting and defeating incidents make it very difficult to keep our heads up and continue to make our voices heard.  I think the hardest part is having to expose ourselves, the parts of ourselves that are most vulnerable.  We have to take a deep breath,  remember the aspects of life that we are grateful for, and take another step forward.  We have to think about future patients with lymphedema and lymphatic disease and struggle for their health.

Kathy Bates is a hero.  She goes through the daily physical and emotional obstacles we all do. But because of the nature of her career, when she speaks out, she is not just speaking out to her family and friends.  She is exposing herself to the world.  She is making a sacrifice for all of us, and I want to help her.  In order to make change, we need to educate.  I believe that we need to find our courage and strength, and talk about our lymphedema to our families, friends, doctors, nurses, colleagues...anyone!  Maybe, we can even show them what it looks like.  We have lymphedema, and we deserve adequate medical care, insurance coverage, and acknowledgement.

"Alone We Are Rare, Together We Are Strong" (National Organization for Rare Diseases--NORD)

National Organization for Rare Diseases (click to visit their website)

Primary Lymphedema 
Primary lymphedema is a rare congenital condition that results in the accumulation of lymph fluid, usually in the lower extremities (but can be anywhere in the body).  The swelling may be present at birth, or may surprise its "victims" a bit later in life (usually around puberty or young adulthood).  I use the word victim from experience.  I was "attacked"around age 11 by this mysterious, inflammatory intruder.  Lymphedema interrupted my life, frightened my parents, perplexed my doctors, and left me with physical and emotional scars.  It took a dozen years to assert command over my lymphedema, but I am no longer a victim.  



Secondary Lymphedema
Secondary lymphedema results in many of the same symptoms as primary lymphedema (swelling, pain, heaviness, skin changes, etc.)  However, instead of being caused by an improperly formed lymphatic system, secondary lymphedema is caused when an intact lymphatic system is injured.  Examples include: surgery, radiation, trauma, cancer, infection, and May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS).  Recently, I discovered that what I thought was primary lymphedema with an onset at puberty, was actually secondary lymphedema caused by MTS.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS)
May-Thurner syndrome is a rare medical condition that occurs when the left illiac artery compresses the left illiac vein.  It can happen on the right side, but it is more common on the left.  This compression increases the risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as blood clots.  It also may result in lymphedema. 
  

Alone We Are Rare. I love the quote that comprises the title of this post.  I don't personally know many people who have lymphedema, and I don't know a single other soul who has MTS, let alone someone who has both of these conditions.  I feel rare, and it is easy to let that transform into lonely, depressed, and anxious.  It is a dangerous and precarious place to be because a gentle push may lead to hopelessness and defeat. 

Together We Are Strong.  We need to find "our people" so we can feel supported enough to raise our voices.  I am so grateful that I found my angels at Therapeia Lymphedema and Stanford  Here, I found my bridge into the Lymphedema and May-Thurner syndrome worlds that existed in reality and not just in my day dreams.  I was awakened to compression garments, night-time garments, wrapping, manual lymph drainage, exercises, diet changes, and most important of all....a community of people with lymphedema and/or MTS who knew my fears, my insecurities, and my challenges.
Within each other, we will find courage and strength.  The task has fallen on us to educate one another and our doctors.  We deserve better medical care and adequate insurance coverage.  I believe the most effective way to improve our daily lives and to see a better future is to come out of our cocoons and raise awareness together.

It is with this thought that I wish to start my blog: "Alone we are rare, but together we are strong."