As a therapist in a busy workspace that is our beautiful Healing House, every day brings a new array of people and bodies that we have the privilege of working with. Each body has a story to tell and it is our job to listen carefully.
Often when people leave their homelands and jobs and move away from the busy noise of life into a more gentle-paced environment like Londolozi, surrounded by nature, people tend to become acutely aware of the need to reboot the system and focus on “refilling the tank”.
The Londolozi Healing House is a place of remembering, a shift from the world of doing into the world of being, a chance to re-discover your own nature and access a deep and natural intelligence which lies within the still core of your own self.
What I mean by this is giving the body some time to slow down from the fast-paced world we live in and allow the body space for rest, nourishment and a mental break. Very often, when this slowing down occurs, people’s immune systems tend to crash. While in the wilderness, I have found that it really is a wonderful opportunity to allow one’s overall immunity – specifically the lymphatic system, a chance to kickstart again in order to function optimally. In taking a closer glance at what constitutes our lymphatic system, one can marvel even more at the phenomenon that is the human body and how it just continues to function. Until it doesn’t…
Our lymphatic system is one of the lesser-discussed, yet crucial components of our bodies.
As therapists, we have come to appreciate the value and vital role of this important system of the body more than ever.
Exploring the wonder of the Lymphatic System and its role in our body
The lymphatic system acts as a first line of defence against illness, trapping and destroying foreign microbial invaders through a network of lymph nodes. These nodes house lymphocytes and other immune cells that are essential in fighting infections and disease.
The primary function of this amazing system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body, carrying nutrients to cells and removing waste products in return. As lymph flows through the body, it collects toxins and waste products from cells and transports them to the lymph nodes where they are broken down. This aids in cellular repair and enhances the body’s overall ability to regenerate and heal itself.
To add to this, within the digestive system, the lymphatic system absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from the foods that we eat. These nutrients are transported via a lymphatic vessel, the thoracic duct, to the bloodstream, where they are metabolized by the body for energy or stored for later use.
An interesting and vital point to mention is that the lymphatic system does not have a pump like the cardiovascular system and so it relies on muscle movement, the act of breathing, optimal digestion and manual manipulation to move fluid around the body.
At the Healing House, we are not doctors per se, however, we do notice the clear signs of a sluggish or stagnant lymphatic system, which manifest in physical symptoms such as sinus infections, headaches, low energy, increased mucus or pain in the throat, acne, dryness, or other skin conditions, bloating or swelling in the extremities, and inability to fight infection or heal quickly.
With this in mind, our focus is aimed at using everything in our skill set to make a person feel healthy and balanced again.
Our massages focus on the whole body and incorporate techniques which are designed to promote the flow of lymph throughout the body. The hands-on treatments work to reduce swelling, detoxify the body, boost the immune system and promote healing from a cellular level.
In addition to massage, there are other offerings at the lodge which play significant roles in supporting lymphatic health
Daily Yoga Classes
Yoga poses that involve movement, stretching, and inversion help stimulate lymph flow. Poses like Downward Dog, Cobra, or even gentle twists effectively push lymph through its vessels, promoting drainage and boosting immunity.
Bush Walks with the Londolozi Rangers and Trackers
Guided walks in the bush are a wonderful way to get the muscles moving and increase blood flow around the body. This repetitive gravitational effect of walking helps to stimulate the free flow of lymph. To add to this, walking in nature is also known to reduce cortisol levels and greatly improve one’s mood, as well as enhance a deep sense of relaxation.
Dry Brushing
We incorporate dry brushing in our exfoliation treatment, which is a highly beneficial practice that promotes lymphatic circulation through gentle brushing of the skin in a particular rhythm. This is done along the entire back of the body, followed by the front and is a gentle way to stimulate lymph flow around the body.
Guided Breathwork and Meditation
Deep breathing exercises are known to significantly impact lymphatic flow. The act of deep breathing creates pressure changes within the abdomen and chest, which helps propel lymph through its vessels. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing not only enhance lymphatic circulation but also reduce stress, a known inhibitor of immune function. Stress management is vital and hugely beneficial for overall health and well-being.
Nutrition and Healthy Meal Choices
A healthy body depends on a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to keep it in peak condition. The meals at the lodge are full of leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, with many fresh and raw options to choose from. The meals also include a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, omega 3’s, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices and are prepared on-site and before each meal. They are unprocessed and packed with minerals and nutrients which fuel the body.
Fresh-squeezed Orange Juice and Cold-pressed Juices
Each day freshly squeezed orange juice and freshly pressed juices such as beetroot, apple, cucumber, lemon, carrot and ginger juices are prepared for breakfast service. Orange and lemon citrus fruits aid in hydration, carry powerful antioxidants and enzymes and alkalise the system. All of these juices help cleanse and protect the lymphatic system.
Filtered Spring Water
Lymph is made out of 96% water. When the water level in our body is low, lymphatic flow decreases and the lymph becomes stagnant. This results in a build-up of toxins that cannot be eliminated at a constant rate. Rehydration of pure, clean water is essential for the body and especially the lymphatic system, which then works optimally. There is an abundance of bottled spring water available throughout Londolozi to help keep you hydrated.
With all of this said, it is apparent that each person’s lymphatic system plays a silent, yet immensely powerful role in maintaining our overall health and wellness. By understanding and supporting this complex system through enjoyable and accessible practices and treatments, we can begin to take control of our habits to enhance our natural immunity and vitality, keeping our bodies stronger and more resilient against disease and boosting our overall sense of well-being. Why not choose to feel good if it is up to you?
To assist in boosting your own wellness at home, we invite you to join us in the free, online Wild Self Adventure challenge.
“When you start taking care of yourself, you start feeling better, you start looking better, and you start to attract better. It all starts with you.”
I look forward to seeing you at the Healing House!
Sam Zeederberg
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