Herbs for Musicians

This week’s word is lymphatic. Lymphatic means related to lymph and the lymphatic system of the body.

Lymph is a fluid in the body that seeps out of your cells as plasma and collects toxins and bacteria.

Instead of going back into your cells, it is collected into different kind of vessels which are part of the lymphatic system. These vessels move the lymph through the lymph nodes which help to clean the lymph and eventually bring the lymph to two ducts in the upper chest. When you breathe out and expel carbon dioxide, you are also releasing toxins that have been collected through the lymph system.

Lymph also carries Lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell and help to fight infection. Additionally, lymph regulates the fluids in the body.

Other parts of the lymphatic system include bone marrow and the thymus, spleen, tonsils, and adenoids.

A problem with the lymphatic system is often indicated by swelling. One example is swelling of the lymph nodes or the tonsils. Another is swelling in a part of the body, such as the feet, also called edema. Certain cancers can affect the lymphatic system, such as lymphoma. There are also lesser-known disorders of the lymphatic system that I won’t go into here.

While blood is pumped through the body by the heart, the lymphatic system does not have pumps, so the lymph does not move on its own. Instead, the fluid is sort of “pushed” through the body through the pulsing of nearby arteries and the squeezing of muscles.

The best thing you can do to help lymph move through your body is to exercise. Not only does exercise help to tone your muscles and keep your lungs and heart healthy, but it also helps to remove toxins from your body and boost your immune system by getting the lymph moving.

Lymphatic herbs also support the lymphatic system.

An old definition of lymphatic is “mental or physical fatigue; sluggishness.” (Mirriam-Webster.) Dictionary.com also adds “flabbiness.”

You can think of it as being “stuck.” If fluid is collecting and sticking around, you will feel bloated. If your feet are swelling up, it is because fluid is getting “stuck” there. If you don’t have the mental energy you need, your mind is “stuck.”

We slow down a bit in winter and often put on a little weight because we have not been moving around outside as much. Some of us experience a sort of depression in the dark, long days. So, by the end of winter we can be pretty sluggish.

Interestingly, one of the earliest flowers to bloom in spring is violet, and guess what? it is a lymphatic herb. What a gift!

A plant that is a sign of spring is also an aid to help the body get moving again, clearing out any crud that has collected through the winter.

The picture above is of a salad I often make during spring. I foraged wild violet flowers and leaves yesterday. I added some of the leaves to the base, mixed with lettuce, and I sprinkled violet flowers on top.

The basic recipe is below (all the toppings are optional.)

• Lettuce & small, tender wild violet leaves
• Cooked chicken or other mild-flavored protein (e.g. chickpeas, tofu)
• Dried cranberries
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Sliced beets
• olive oil and vinegar (I like to use flavored vinegars)

In addition to eating violet leaves and flowers*, you can use the flowers to make a cough syrup or cough drops, or a lovely jelly or brightly-colored flavored vinegar.

*Do not eat violet ROOTS as they are toxic!

You can watch a video on making violet syrup here:

​The leaves can be infused into oil and used as a massage oil.* Massage it into any part of the body that may have a lump or other indication of “stuckness.” (Of course, get any lumps checked out by a doctor!) Violet-infused oil may help with fibrous breasts, uterine fibroids, and rheumatism (arthritis.) Violet may also help the body respond better to chemotherapy.

*I will be making a video about infusing violet leaves in oil. Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss it!

Violet also helps the emotions by reducing overthinking and persistent thoughts that are “stuck” in the mind.

I know just looking at violets improves my mood because they are a sign of longer days and warmer weather.

Other lymphatic herbs include calendula, cleavers, red clover, and red root (New Jersey tea.)

I will be opening registration for my summer course “Basic Herbalism for Musicians” on April 15. Early registrants will receive a set of recipes for herbal teas which I have created as a thank-you from me. While all herbal teas do have medicinal properties, all the teas I have created are designed for flavor as a first priority!

Reach out to me if you have any herbal questions! Let me know if this is helpful, or if there any improvements I can make to this newsletter! And if you know someone who might benefit from this newsletter, please forward it!

Your Herbal Ally,

Heather

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Remember to do research and speak to a doctor about your particular situation before using herbs. The herbal education I provide does not substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Herbs will not make up for a poor lifestyle. We must first take care of ourselves through a healthy lifestyle with a proper amount of sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise and avoiding harmful substances as much as possible.