How to Take Care of Your Lymphatic System: Boost Immunity, Detoxify, and Revitalize Your Health

The lymphatic system is, strangely, one of the most important yet underrepresented systems in the body. Rarely do doctors advise us to get our lymph moving, though it would be incredibly helpful if they did. dhyana Essentials teaches that the lymphatic system is the body's river, clearing toxins, moving nutrients, and supporting tissues. Understanding and supporting your lymphatic system can transform your approach to wellness, which is why we sat down with founder DeAnna Batdorff to ask for her top tips on encouraging healthy lymph flow. From an early age, DeAnna recognized the critical importance of the lymphatic system, despite its underrepresentation in health and medicine.

“Lymph has been documented for centuries; we just stopped acknowledging its importance.” – DeAnna

What is the Lymphatic System and Why is it Important?

While often overlooked, the lymphatic system plays a fundamental role in immunity and detoxification. It’s essentially our body’s internal cleaning system, made up of a network of vessels and lymph nodes that connect every part of the body—from the surface of the skin to our organs. This network transports a fluid called lymph, which helps remove waste, toxins, and other unwanted materials from our tissues.

In Ayurvedic tradition, the lymphatic system is known as “Rasa,” meaning the “river of life.” Just as rivers nourish and sustain ecosystems, lymph transports nutrients, hormones, and immune cells throughout the body. This system connects our gut to other organs, delivering nutrients where needed and supporting balance and health.

The lymphatic system and the immune system are not two separate systems. In reality, they’re interconnected, functioning as one unified system. When a doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes, they’re actually examining the immune function of our body. Swollen lymph nodes can indicate that the body is actively fighting off infection or toxins.

The Lymphatic System in the Brain: A Rediscovered Connection

A fascinating discovery in recent years reveals that lymphatic vessels are also present in the brain. For centuries, it was thought that the brain operated without direct lymphatic involvement. However, science now shows that lymph plays a crucial role in clearing metabolic waste from the brain.

How Does the Lymphatic System Support Immunity and Daily Health? 

The lymphatic system does more than help fight off occasional illnesses. It constantly cleanses the body, filtering toxins, environmental pollutants, and the remnants of stress-related chemicals. In our modern world, we are exposed to a constant influx of preservatives, chemicals, and pollutants. The lymph system acts as a critical support network, bringing essential aid to areas of the body in need of detoxification.

Whether it’s clearing out a virus, easing the effects of a stressful commute, or reducing inflammatory responses, the lymphatic system is your body's unsung hero.

The Science of Emotions and the Lymphatic System

Our emotions impact our physical bodies. When we experience stress, worry, or anger, the body releases chemicals that can linger, building up in areas like the neck, shoulders, or stomach. This is why a therapist might ask, “Where do you feel this emotion?”

The lymphatic system helps clear out these emotional residues. As lymph flows through the body, it collects excess chemicals and transports them for excretion, allowing you to feel lighter and more balanced. Movement and deep breathing are particularly effective ways to assist the lymph in “letting go” of these physical traces of stress.

Top 5 Tips for a Healthy Lymphatic Health

Supporting your lymphatic system doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are our top five tips for keeping lymph flowing and your immune system strong:

1. Movement: Physical activity stimulates lymph flow. Find enjoyable activities like dancing, hiking, or even a quick game of hopscotch with your kids. The simple act of walking can also lift your mood and boost lymph flow.

2. Salt Scrub: A salt scrub not only polishes your skin but also invigorates lymphatic movement. Gently scrub your skin in circular motions to stimulate lymph flow and exfoliate.

3. Gua Sha: This ancient Chinese technique involves scraping the skin with a smooth tool to promote circulation. Gua sha can be a quick, portable way to give your lymphatic system a boost anytime, anywhere.

4. Self-Massage (Abhyanga): Ayurvedic self-massage, known as abhyanga, uses warm oils like bhringraj to calm inflammation and encourage lymph flow. Incorporate self-massage into your routine to relax and support your lymphatic system.

5. Deep Breathing: Breathing deeply brings oxygen to the body, a natural anti-inflammatory that aids lymphatic movement. Take a few minutes each day to breathe mindfully—your lymph system will thank you.

Insights from DeAnna Batdorff on Lymph Health and Self-Care

We asked DeAnna, founder of dhyana Essentials, whether it difficult to heal and open the lymphatic system? This is what she had to say:

“Not necessarily! It first depends on what health circumstances you’re dealing with. If you are living with a chronic imbalance or health issue, you certainly want to follow your doctor’s guidance to tend to your immediate health needs. Beyond that, a visit to an Ayurvedic practitioner may give you more tools to help your doctor keep you at optimal health.

If you’re in relatively good health but dealing with common imbalances—stress, fatigue, occasional indigestion, worry, and other modern issues—learning to keep your lymph moving can potentially improve how you feel and how you meet daily challenges.

The number one thing I recommend is to take charge of your own self-care. There are many little ways to clear out clogs and get lymph moving. The simple act of walking on a daily basis can do so much for your health in so many ways. If you’re worried, don’t you find that just taking a walk around the block can sometimes lift that worry off your shoulders? That’s actually a result of lymph movement!

Our body responds to worry by releasing chemicals—far more chemicals than we may need—that accumulate in parts of our body. That’s why it’s common to hear a therapist ask where you feel an emotion in your body. You literally have something accumulating in a part of your body as a result of an emotion.

The lymph system is there to collect what isn’t needed and move it out through sweat, urine, and other excretions. If your lymph system is flowing smoothly, that worry, that emotion, that excess will move out in due time.”

When Should You Seek External Support?

“If you’re dealing with a chronic imbalance or health issue, working with your healthcare provider is essential. But, beyond that, Ayurvedic practices can be helpful tools for optimal health,” said DeAnna.

“The number one thing I recommend is to take charge of your own self-care,” she explains. “There are so many little ways you can help clear out clogs and get lymph moving.”