“Health is wealth” is a famous proverb, and literally, it is true. Imagine for a second that you are suffering from even a minor headache, some painful swollen glands, or some kind of discomfort like a slight pain in arms. What would you talk about all that time? Nothing, but the agony and irritation. Right? Well, this is because the pain becomes unbearable at times.
However, when you are healthy with no aches, you feel happy, satisfied, and undeniably the wealthiest person on this planet.
One of the main health problems is the occurrence of swelling and inflammation (lymphedema) in some parts of the body, which causes pain. To treat it, you can use the procedure of lymphatic drainage treatment. In this article, you will learn about lymphedema and lymphatic drainage.
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Contents
Lymphedema
Lymphedema (swollen glands) refers to the swelling that occurs in the arms, breast, or legs after removal of lymph nodes. It is a very excruciating condition. The word Lymphedema is derived from the combination of two terms that is, Lymph and Edema:
- Lymph is a thin fluid that circulates in the whole body to remove bacteria from tissues.
- Edema is an accumulation of excessive fluid. So, Lymphedema occurs when a lot of lymph nodes combine in one part of the body and ends up blocking the fluid to drain. For this, the treatment is named Lymphatic Drainage.
Do You Know? In the 1930s, lymphatic drainage treatment was initially developed by Danish physicians “Emil and Estrid Vodder” for lymphedema.
Let’s check some symptoms and causes to get through the real scenario.
Causes And Symptoms
Here are some causes:
- Surgery
- Cancer (mostly occurs after breast cancer treatments)
- Infections
- Radiation treatments
Some Symptoms:
- Movements are restricted
- Swelling
- Redness and Inflammation
- Fibrosis
- Tightness and distress
- Itchiness and heaviness
Risk Factors: People with old age or psoriatic arthritis can get affected with the lymphatic nodes swelling and inflammation sooner than others. Also, obese people are an easy target.
Check if the causes and symptoms are found in you, and ensure you get proper medical care. As a home remedy, here’s how lymphatic drainage massage works in conjunction with aromatherapy.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage And Essential Oils
Essential oil massages can specifically help to reduce the swelling of lyphedema.
Whenever you feel swelling in the specific area of the body, the swollen parts need to get back to their original pain-less condition. So, lymphatic drainage massage is recommended for that purpose, for which the use of essential oil is advised.
A famous proverb, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” fits perfectly with the situation when essential oils were invented. To reduce the pains and swelling, where the massage is an obligatory practice, another thing you can’t miss out is the use of essential oil.
How to massage: A simple hand massage of the lymphatic nodes with essential oils will be done to help reduce the pain or swelling.
Essential oils are doing well in different therapies and treatments. And you can find many other health benefits in E-oils, too:
Other Benefits of Essential Oils
- Helps to improve the immune system
- Improves sleep quality
- The essential oil reduces migraines and headaches.
- The use of essential oil lessens depression and stress, as with every massage step, the brain veins and tissues get relaxed.
Lymphatic drainage massage is stimulated nicely with the help of essential oils. Let’s have a look at some of the essential oils that may help to reduce the swollen lymphatic nodes.
Essential Oils As An Aid For Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Citrus Oils And Geranium Oils
The Citrus Family of essential oils is the best essential oil group for lymphatic nodes massage therapy. Citrus oils have diuretic properties that help lymphatic waste leave the body through the urinary tract. Plus, the aroma of the citrus works best for mind relaxation. Some citrus oils are orange essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, or lemon essential oil.
Geranium oil is also has immensely positive and stimulating power when used to perform lymphatic drainage massage. Geranium oil also comes with the diuretic property like the citrus oils. Moreover, it doesn’t irritate or sensitize the skin.
1. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger essential oil is undeniably the most famous oil for the lymphatic drainage massage treatment. It is obtained from the ginger rhizome and effectively used to reduce the swelling. Moreover, the scent of ginger oil extract is pungent and piquant. Therefore, it quickly relieves pain. According to Dr. Madan, “Ginger oil is good for inflammation as it is imperative to use ginger oil in blended form. But, make sure before using the oil if your body can bear it or not.”
Usage Direction – For Massage
You can combine a few drops of ginger extract with a carrier oil. After a fine blend, first check its reaction on the skin by applying to the small area for 10 minutes. Next, if the mixture works best, you can gently massage the affected part of the body.
TIP: You can also mix a few drops of ginger essential oil with Vaseline if you don’t have any carrier oil at home.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
This oil is extracted from the peel or rind of the fruit Limon plant, and its aroma relaxes the mind. With this, the lemon essential oil gives wonderful results when it is applied to the body in the case of swollen lymphatic nodes. Plus, it can be used to reduce anxiety and stress. Moreover, lemon oil would help the body to fight against bacteria and infections.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Blend well the lemon essential oil with the carrier oil in equal proportion and massage the body parts where lymph glands have appeared.
Other Ways
- You can directly drop it into your throat for the purpose.
- Add a few drops in the bathing water.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is obtained from the peppermint plant, which is a cross of water plant and spearmint. Due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling, and stimulant properties, it is widely used in lymphatic drainage massage therapy. Plus, it can be used for hair growth, stress release, eliminate nausea, etc.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Almost the same as discussed above; massage the swollen body part with diluted peppermint oil and see improvements in days.
Other Ways
Add 3-5 drops of peppermint oil in the diffuser and have the best aromatherapy at home.
4. Juniper Berry Oil
Juniper oil is sourced from the coniferous tree. The scent of the oil is like wood yet spicy. Moreover, juniper extracts are used to support urinary tracts. With this, the essential oil is used to reduce the inflammation and to relieve the lymphatic swelling. Plus, you can use it for DIY-based quick hacks; for example, it can also be used as a skin toner.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Mix well a few drops of juniper berry extract with a carrier oil (such as avocado oil), for more effectiveness; you can add some geranium oil extracts. A hand massage will do the job, and you will get relief from the painful swollen glands sooner than it was expected.
5. Grapefruit Essential Oil
You might have noticed that grapefruit extracts are mostly found in the creams and lotions. That’s because of its detoxification and lymph decongestion properties. Along with this, the oil helps to improve fluid circulation and helps lymph nodes to drain. Grapefruit essential oil is also highly recommendable for aromatherapy.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Rub the diluted form of grapefruit essential oil to the affected areas with the gentle hand massage.
6. Guaiacwood Oil
Guaiacwood is extracted by distillation of the heartwood of bulnesia sarmientoi, a tree from America. Guaiac wood essential oil is used to act against inflammations, and to treat fluid retention due to its guaiazulene chemical composition. Plus, you can store it for a long time.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Guaiacwood oil is usually very thick, so you must dilute it with some carrier oil and then further use it for massaging purposes.
TIP: You can give a round to the guaiac wood oil bottle for up to 1 minute in the microwave for better and speedy results.
7. Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is obtained from the rind of the orange plant. Moreover, it is extracted by the process of cold pressing. However, orange essential oil has many other health benefits, but the most important is its use in lymphatic drainage therapeutic massage due to the diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. An orange extract is used to purge and detoxify the lymph nodes and the body.
Usage Direction – For Massage
- Test the skin first as it reacts to the sensitive skin.
- Always use this in diluted form and gently rub the swollen nodes with hands.
Fun Fact: Oranges are known to exist since 2500 BC in China.
8. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil is sourced from the evergreen bushes and is a very useful herb. Different leaves and flowers are collected to make oil. This essential oil helps to reduce headaches, improves hair growth, fortifies immunity system performance. Most importantly, rosemary essential oil is used to eliminate pain and swellings that occur in the body.
Usage Direction – For Massage
Like other essential oils, it must also be diluted with some carrier oil, but it is better if you mix it with jojoba oil before using it on the skin. Simply, massage with gentle hand movements on the affected places of the body may help to reduce the pain quickly.
Other Ways
Add a few drops into the diffuser and inhale the soothing aroma of the rosemary oil.
PRECAUTIONARY TIP: Pregnant ladies, people with epilepsy or high blood pressure, and children under age 6 are suggested to use it only with their dermatologist prescription as it can worsen the middle two situations.
Conclusion
We have discussed lymphatic drainage massage therapy with basic essential oil ingredients needed for it in detail. By following the treatment outlined, we hope you get good results in a few days only, and that your pain and swelling will diminish.
Stay healthy, move happily!
About Liza Parker
Hi, this is Liza Parker, a mother of two, a lifestyle blogger, and a volunteer teacher. She loves to write about mind and physical health. Also, Liza has interest in other genres like cooking, and traveling. In free time, she just reads books and spends time with her two little kids
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