What is lymphatic drainage and how to do it at home

Steph, the face behind Her Solis has worked in the health industry for over 8 years learning the ins and outs of skin and health. Her Solis was born for the sun and nature lovers seeking holistic beauty rituals. Offering a dive deeper into the art of skin healing, she blends the power of nature, nutrition, and natural safe skincare, with the touch of lymphatic facial massage. When her skin started acting up, she realised that fancy creams alone weren’t it. That's when she dove headfirst into studying Naturopathy and started to connect the dots. She then suddenly realised the link between what we eat, how we live, and how our skin/ body/ mind feels made sense.

What is Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymphatic drainage is a technique designed to help your body move lymph fluid more effectively. The lymphatic system is a key player in clearing out toxins, excess fluids, and waste from your body. When lymphatic drainage is performed, whether through massage or other methods, it encourages the flow of lymph fluid and helps it to be properly processed and removed. Lymphatic drainage helps support your body’s natural detoxification process by making sure the lymph fluid doesn’t get stuck and can move freely through the lymphatic system.

Why is Lymphatic Drainage so Good for Us? 

I often describe the lymphatic system as the body’s sink, where toxins and waste materials are collected and flushed out. By keeping the lymph system clear, regular drainage helps prevent the buildup of toxins and reduces inflammation. It also has amazing benefits for skin health creating a more radiant complexion by helping reduce puffiness and stagnant lymph. When the lymphatic system is functioning well, you can notice increased energy and a sense of physical and mental lightness. The gentle nature of lymphatic drainage is also super relaxing and helps to relieve stress from the body and support the nervous system. It even helps digestion by reducing internal congestion, which can often ease bloating and improve your gut health. Incorporating this practice into your routine is a simple yet powerful way to nurture your body and stay connected.

What is the Connection Between Lymphatic Health and Hormonal Balance?

As we know the lymphatic system is essential for clearing out the body’s waste which also includes excess hormones. When it’s working well, it helps keep our hormones in check by removing these substances before they can cause problems. If the lymphatic system gets bogged down and can’t clear out waste it then can lead to a buildup of hormones and other toxins. This can throw our hormonal balance off, affecting everything from our mood to our energy levels.

Can You Touch on the Role Nutrition Plays in Our Lymphatic Health?

Nutrition plays a huge part in how well your lymphatic system works. Eating real, whole foods gives your body the nutrients it needs to keep things running smoothly. Antioxidants in fresh fruits and veggies help combat free radicals that could mess with your lymph flow.

Fibre from whole grains, beans, and organic veggies is great for digestion, which helps move waste out of your body and keeps your lymph moving. Healthy fats—like those in avocados, nuts, and seeds—are essential for cell health and make sure your lymphatic system does its job properly.

Hydration is also a big deal. Drinking enough water keeps your lymph fluid moving freely. Without it, things can slow down, making it harder for your body to flush out toxins.

Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and omega-3-rich fish can help reduce inflammation and support your body's natural detox processes, making sure your lymphatic system stays in top shape.

How Can We Better Understand Lymphatic Stagnation?

To better understand lymphatic stagnation, it's helpful to think of the lymphatic system as your body's waste removal network as I mentioned before. It’s responsible for clearing out toxins, excess fluids, and other waste products. When this system isn’t functioning properly, it can cause fluid to build up in your tissues, leading to swelling, puffiness, and a general feeling of heaviness. This stagnation can result from factors like dehydration, lack of exercise, stress, or certain health issues that slow down or block the flow of lymph. Recognizing these signs and understanding their causes can help you take steps to improve lymphatic flow, such as staying hydrated, being active, managing stress, and using techniques like massage or dry brushing to support your body’s natural detox process.

What is TMJ and How Does it Support Lymphatic Work?

TMJ, or the temporomandibular joint, is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. It’s what lets you talk, chew, and yawn. When this joint isn’t functioning properly, it can lead to pain, clicking, or even difficulty moving your jaw—this is often referred to as TMJ disorder. When it comes to lymphatic work, the TMJ plays a key role. The muscles and tissues around the jaw are closely linked to the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining toxins and waste from the body. If your TMJ is tight or out of balance, it can restrict lymph flow in the neck and face, leading to issues like puffiness, tension, and a sluggish lymphatic system. By addressing TMJ issues through things like massage, gua-sha, or gentle jaw exercises you can help support this pain.

How Can We Practice This at Home?

Try some simple jaw movements, like gently opening and closing your mouth or shifting your jaw side to side and finding pressure points. These exercises can help ease TMJ discomfort and keep your jaw flexible.

A good massage on your jaw, cheeks, and neck can help reduce muscle tension and get the lymph moving. Just use gentle, circular motions to work out any tight spots.

Using a gua-sha tool on your jaw and neck is a great way to relieve tension and support lymphatic flow.

Facial cupping is an excellent method for lymphatic drainage. It helps reduce puffiness and relaxes the muscles around your jaw.

Before you jump in the shower, grab a dry body brush to get your lymphatic system going. This simple practice helps improve circulation and encourages lymph flow throughout your body.

Wooden lymphatic tools are great for giving your lymphatic system some extra support. They help stimulate lymph nodes and enhance fluid movement throughout the body.

Lastly, What Are Your Favourite Rituals and Why?

I love starting and ending my day with oil cleansing—it gently clears away impurities while nourishing my skin. Following up with facial cupping boosts lymphatic flow and gives me a little glow.

My daily 10-minute meditation with Lalah Delia on Insight Timer is a go-to for finding inner calm and staying connected with myself.

Before hopping in the shower, I grab a dry body brush with my body oil to wake up my lymphatic system. It’s a simple yet powerful way to support detox and leave my skin feeling refreshed.

Using my gua-sha and wooden lymphatic tools in my routine is a game changer for relieving muscle tension and keeping my lymphatic health in check.

ACTIVIST Manuka Honey Mask – This mask is a treat for my skin nourishing, soothing, and anti-bacterial. It’s a key part of my skincare regimen that leaves my skin feeling repaired and cared for.

I love to make up my own tea blends depending on how I’m feeling. At the moment I'm loving– hibiscus, calendula, lemon balm and red clover for immunity and skin health.

Magnesium is a must for me. It helps with muscle relaxation, supports restful sleep, and keeps me feeling good all around

You can follow Steph’s journey here