Published February 20, 2017 Ayurveda (one of the oldest medicine systems on the planet!) has used citrus pith for ages to improve circulation, lymph, and blood flow. Recent scientific studies have now confirmed this, citing diosmin as one of the major plant chemicals responsible for the benefits! Recent research found that diosmin from the white pith (rind) of oranges can effectively increase micro-circulation in the body by increasing lymphatic contractions.That is huge, because your lymphatic system doesn’t have anything to pump it the way your circulatory system (blood) has a beating heart. Your lymph relies on you (exercise, muscle contractions, stretching) to move and drain it. What is your lymphatic system? The lymphatic system is the largest circulatory system in your body – twice as big as your circulatory system! And yet, while your circulatory system has your heart to pump and clean your blood automatically, your lymph has NO built-in pump whatsoever. Lymph only moves manually through exercise, massage, and diet; which is why it’s so easy to get backed up with our modern lifestyle. The lymphatic system was not fully understood in the Western world until as little as two decades ago – yet ancient systems of medicine such as TCM or Ayurveda see it as one of the first places to look for stagnation when the body is ill. The AMA historically ignores lymph stagnation as a cause of disease, whereas other countries such as Germany employ specialized Lymphatic Drainage techniques as a treatment for fibrocystic breast disease, allergies, chronic sinusitis, arthritis, eczema, heart disease and more. Symptoms of a sluggish lymphatic system These symptoms are very common due to our sedentary lifestyles & stress. We all have this to some extent and always need to be conscious of moving our lymph! – water retention– skin breakouts or rashes (psoriasis, eczema etc)– poor skin tone– morning stiffness– fatigue & lethargy– general itching– joint pain– headaches– slow healing of cuts– uterine/breast/ovarian fibroids or cysts– breast tenderness before your period– swollen glands– an inability to lose weight. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to… – take walks daily, especially after meals (even for just 10 minutes)– eat the white part of the orange!– consume red-staining foods (pure cranberry juice, blueberries, raspberries)– decrease the amount of time that you sit per day– give dry-brushing a try!– jump on a rebounder for just a few minutes, a few times per day– sip hot water throughout the day – keep some in a thermos and aim to take 1 or 2 sips every 15 minutes.
4 min read # S3E26 – HOW TO EMBRACE OUR GRIEF TO ACCESS JOY — Dr. Neeta Bhushan on the importance of emotional resilience through life’s relentless hardships
4 min read # S3ES25 – NEURONS THAT FIRE TOGETHER WIRE TOGETHER — Neurophysiologist & coach Louisa Nicola on rewiring your brain to achieve peak physical & mental performance
3 min read # S3E24 – GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH DEATH — Death Doula Caroline Lee dives into the uncomfortable conversation around death and how we can ease the process for us and others