What is lymph and why is it important?

The Lymphatic system plays an important part in the body’s immune function-and it’s integral to waste and toxin removal. Lymphatic fluid circulates through the body’s lymphatic system, which includes clusters of nodes and glands. These lymph nodes and glands filter the lymph fluid, which cleans and feeds bodily tissues. Any harmful bacteria, viruses etc are dealt with by white blood cells present in the lymph nodes, enabling the body to fight off infections and clear out toxins. (It’s why lymph glands sometimes swell when we’re ill).

However, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump (unlike the circulatory system, where blood is pumped by the heart). Some of the best ways to get lymph to flow is through physical movement (exercise, walking, gardening etc), deep breathing, dry brushing, hydrotherapy, lymph massage and drinking (filtered) water.

Lymph is 95% water and should have a watery consistency (like runny yogurt), however, it can become sludgy (more like cottage cheese), when we’re sluggish or not sufficiently hydrated.

Ideally, we need our bodies to drain toxins and waste, faster than we accumulate them. Tricky in the modern world with the onslaught of pollution, processed food, sedentary lifestyles etc. According to ‘Lymph Queen’ Kelly Kennedy, co-founder, The True Wellness Centre, she’s not found a single case (including herself) where this is happening.

‘The lymph system can be characterised as the waste dump of the body,’ says Kelly Kennedy. ‘‘Moving our bodies expands and contracts our muscles, pumping lymphatic fluid through the fascia, collecting cellular waste for elimination.’

Stimulating a series s of lymphatic points forms part of a kinesiology treatment and can enable the body to start to heal itself.