Natural Lymphedema Treatment: Diet, Lifestyle, and Herbs

Hello everyone,

I am so greatful for coming across this site.

I have Lymphedema in my left leg calf area. Has had it for about 15 years now. The swelling started after treatment for a blood clot. Long story short, every year it seems to get bigger and on top of that, it don't help that I'm 460lbs. Anyway I come across this site full of good info because I was told as others were that there is really no cure.

I am doing the raw cabbage wrap every 2 days and drinking green tea 3 times a day. Every time I re-wrap, I tape measure my leg, in just 1 week and a half my leg have come down six and a half inches.

To God be the glory. I give all thanks to God. The Bible says my people parish for the LACK of knowledge. This web site has blessed me with knowledge that no medication could fix. Funny thing is, I'm not sure if it's the cabbage rap or green tea. Nonetheless after 15 years, it's working.

I've had Lymphedema in one leg for many years. I was told by a vascular specialist it was because I broke my ankle a couple of times and damaged the lymph capillaries. He recommended a compression sock, but said there's no cure. (When a physician, even a good one, says there's no cure he means, there's no drug or surgical treatment, mainly.)

Then I found my way to some physical therapists who taught me a routine of lymph node massage that works temporarily, by making the lymph flow around my system better. But it only gives temporary relief and I have to do it twice a day. I'm busy and don't have much time for this.

Then late night surfing I ran across the idea of cabbage wrap. Nothing had worked for about 10 years and the condition seemed to slowly be getting worse. I've seen no explanation for why it works, but decided to give a cabbage wrap a try, if for no other reason, I believe cabbage is very healthy and a cabbage wrap sounds ridiculous. I stuffed some cabbage in my compression sock. Lo and behold! Dramatic improvement in 2 days! Reduction of about 50% of the swelling. I'm keeping this up! Will it be permanent? We'll see. Does anyone have a reasonably rational theory for why this would actually work?

LYMPHEDEMA...Patients TRY Black Seed Oil. It's said it cures everything but death or TRY Castor Oil Packs. A book title The Oil That Heals Author William McGarvey The other book Black Seed Miracle Dr., Cass Ingram.

Also eat ALKALINE FOODS in ABUNDANCE and take a Multivitamin (I like Dead Sea Moringa) mix w/Coconut Water. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Judy

I accidently came upon this site, trying to find a natural herb therapy to try and heal the problem. I am amazed at what I found on several sites. I am trying the "cabbage" wraps for the past three nights. First night used Savoy cabbage, wilted in water, rolled and applied with plastic wrap and leg wraps. Very successful. Second, used Napa cabbage, cold, uncrushed, wrapped with puppy pads, then leg wraps (for lymphedema). Not very successful. Tonight, Savoy on lower leg and foot; regular round head cabbage on upper leg, wilted in water, wrapped with plastic, leg wraps.

I am not sure what kind of cabbage is best or method. Also, my Mother is on Coumadin and most herbs seem to be prohibitive. I am still checking out the sites.

Thank you for this information. I hope mine helps someone.

Ladybugjustice

Thought I'd add my experience. I have lymphedema in both legs, but my left leg was the worst by far. About a month ago it swelled to a tight drum again, was fiery red, incredibly painful and the skin felt scalding. I could barely walk. I was desperate. I tried the cabbage poultice, but it caused fierce itching. I mean FIERCE! I managed to keep it on for about 6 hours 2 days in a row, but I thought I would go out of my mind if I had to endure that daily.

I saw mention here of someone who was going to try castor oil. I thought I'd give it a try too. I soaked paper napkins in the stuff, wrapped them around the leg. Then I wrapped plastic wrap around to cover and duct taped it in place. I covered that with dry napkins and taped in place. Then I got a disposable hand warmer and strapped it to the most swollen, painful part of the leg. After about 7 hours I took it off and noticed an improvement and a lot less pain. Now I do this every other day and every time I'm happy with the results. At the same time I started taking Doctors Best Vein Formula because it contains diosmin. Now, my leg is almost back to normal size. I can move around and it only starts getting painful if I'm on it all day. Even then, it's not too bad.

I developed Lymphedema in my left breast that went undiagnosed for 4-5 months. I started MLD with a physical therapist and read this site. So I did several treatments at once that I believe where all somewhat helpful. Then I had an acupuncture treatment and used a cabbage poultice the same night. The results in the morning were like a miracle. My breast seemed back to normal! But little by little the swelling returned until I got another acupuncture treatment.

So now I have tried only acupuncture and only cabbage poultice and they both work well. But the 2 on the same day produces the most dramatic results. ( I have continued to drink ginger tea throughout.) I prepare the cabbage (a traditional round head variety, preferably organic) by heating a cast iron (optional) skillet and adding the cabbage leaf, which has been dipped in water, then I use another smaller skillet to flatten the leaf for a total of 2-3 seconds or less on each side. This wilts it and makes it pliable. Then I hold it in place with a piece of cling wrap, and a sports bra. This poultice could be modified for a leg or arm and held in place with cling wrap and an ace bandage. I sleep with it for 5-6 hours, which seem to be enough. We used cabbage poultice years ago for a nursing mother with mastitis and it worked well then also.

Frances from Missouri City, Texas

European Natural Medicine uses cabbage leaves raw. There are many testimonials as to complete cure when allopathic methods were unsuccessful.

The cabbage leaf has to be flattened well with a cookie roller so that the veins in the leaf made more pliable. Then, it has to be fastened around the area without air pockets. What to use I cannot find out but I imagine it as pure cotton gauze type of fabric and DEFINITELY not plastic. No one in Europe who uses natural medicine uses plastic. The reason being that during application emanations from the sick tissue must be able to dissipate, not forced back into the body. The final cover, pure wool.

I hope this helps. I must mention the incredible cures achieved with this method and within a short time. Om

POSSIBLE HELP FOR LYMPHEDEMA... For 15 years my Mother suffered with lymphedema in her arm after breast cancer. Her arm was so huge she had to wear clothes 1-2 sizes larger so the sleeve would fit.

I watch all the doctor shows I can, and one day a doctor said green tea would help drain your lymphatic system. Those were magic words to me, and I got excited! Then I saw Dr. Oz talking about green tea as a superfood. It is a anti-inflammatory, a cancer fighter, and a diuretic. So, I tried drinking 1-3 cups a day and my legs and feet stopped swelling every day. I told my Mother she had to try it and within 1 week we started seeing a difference in the swelling in her arm. It starting with her wrist getting smaller. Then within a few weeks we were truly amazed as we watched her arm shrink. We were so thankful, I hate to say it, but I got angry. 15 years of terrible pain and suffering and drinking green tea was her answer... That was about 3 years ago and her arm has not swollen again, or my legs and feet. It also cleared up a tooth infection I had for a long time.

I have told every doctor we have seen about the amazing things green tea has done. And several were oncologist, but they looked at us like we are crazy. GREEN TEA? Today I saw a article about lymphedema and there is no cure. Please help me spread the word that green tea may be able to help others, just as it helped us! We just used plain cheap green tea bags and sometimes added some frozen blueberries, or a little fruit juice like Pomegranate or cranberry juice for flavor. I pray this may help someone else...

Thanks for the info on the cabbage wrap. I tried it last night. I took it off only after a few hours because I couldn't sleep. I still saw some improvement. I can tell a difference between the majority of my arm that was wrapped and the shoulder that wasn't.

I've also learned red root is helping some people with lymphedema. I just ordered Eclectic Institute red root tincture on iHerb to try. Not very expensive at all.

I learned on a facebook page that applying Eucerin cream blended with lemongrass oil on the area helps. They also say it could irritate at first use as it is removing impurities. Eucerin contains castor oil. Since it has ingredients that aren't natural, I'm going to try blending castor oil with lemongrass oil in virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil has anti-viral/anti-septic qualities that should help and it softens the skin, which should help.

Thanks again on the cabbage leaf wrap. I'll keep using it.

My dad had lymphoedema in his lower legs and had severe edema/swelling in his lower legs and feet, as soon as he put his feet on the floor in the morning getting up out of bed they would instantly swell, severe pain, redness, itching so bad he wanted to scratch his legs off, "dents" in the front of his lower legs, etc at the beginning of June 2021.

He was referred to the Lymphoedema clinic at that time by GP/doctor (no doctor actually saw him, they asked us to send photos to the surgery!), finally having a "telephone" consultation (what a joke) with the clinic only the other day (August 2021). During that time we did our own research and came across Pycnogenol and studies related to it:

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/chronic-venous-insufficiency-and-venous-microangiopathy-management-compression

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31347820/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17067979/

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/powerful-aspirin-alternative-grows-trees-1

We bought some and my dad started taking 3 x, then increased to 4 x 40mg/per day of Pycnogenol (purchased from here if in UK

https://www.justvitamins.co.uk/Herbal-Supplements/Pycnogenol-40mg.aspx#.XuyX32gzZEY)

and

Black Seed Oil (Original) starting with 1 x, then increased to 2 x/per day (https://theblackseedoil.co/).

In just over 8 weeks the edema/swelling has decreased massively, now he only has a small amount of swelling in his feet, pain decreased massively, no itching, "dents" in lower legs look far better and so on.

Suffice to say he declined the Lymphoedema clinic offer of making an appointment to be seen (he did ask if an appointment would be at Christmas time as it has taken over 2 months to make a telephone call) and advised them that he has sorted himself out now.

Lymphedema: look into inversion tables. The body drains lymph into the circulatory system by the thoracic duct under the left clavicle. By inverting your body you allow lymph to drain.

Also look into whole body vibration machines. See if it contraindicates with any other medical issues you may have. But overall great for lymph. I'm a nurse with lymphedema.

Cabbage for Lymphedema:

Totally outrageous sounding remedy, but 15 years of a leg that gets swollen to a point that's tight as a drum head is now reduced to half the size and flexible again after only 24 hours of a cabbage wrap. What a great find. Thanks everyone for the comments. O.K., so it sounds silly, but you can't argue with success. What a relief! Roy

To Antoinette and Amy Joe.

I have used the cabbage leaves successfully but still need to do it again.

The best type of cabbage to use is Savoy cabbage. The dark green outer leaves that usually get thrown out is the best part to use as it is the most potent. Wash the leaves and remove the thick stems. Boil a large pot of water and drop the leaves in for one SECOND (although I put the leaves in then turned them over and removed immediately). The book says to roll the leaves with a rolling pin, instead I lay them on a clean tea towel and rolled them up then twisted the towel to crush the leaves. Then place the softened leaves on the area needing treatment and cover with cloth then wrap with ace bandages. Cover ace bandages with plastic wrap or plastic bags to help keep moisture in. Leave on 12 hours or more. Repeat as often as needed.

So you know, you will reek of cabbage and so will every room you spend time in. You will leave a trail behind you, but it will be worth it. It is best to apply the leaves in the evening then sleep with them on overnight. I hope you both have success with the cabbage. Please let us know how you do.

HI,
I had a terrible case of A. Lymphedma in my legs and B. Ringworm there as well.
Cured both.

Here's how:
Lymphedema: got this during my pregnancy and continued for almost 2 years thereafter.
I believe from Adrenal and kidney depletion...pregnancy is hard on the glands...adrenals control fluids in the body...so do kidneys.
Anyway..tried everything: Lymphatic drainage massage MLD, acupuncture, herbs, compression stockings, you name it.
Here's what worked: a. Wheatgrass juice daily and fresh celery and spirulina and parsley juice.
b. Epsom salt baths (1/2 pound in the hot water with some bubble bath ,,,natural of course). Soaked 20 minutes a night before bed.
c. trampoline work.

Guess what? I'm cured...the massage therapist said I'd never cure it...that there is no cure. Oh yeah?
I sure hated those compression stockings. UGLY!

Now for the ringworm: AGAIN! Tried everything!!! Spent lots of money on creams, etc. tried herbs, etc. NOTHING! WORKED! The itching was driving me crazy ...plus ugly oozing sores on my legs. In desperation I tried: YES! Calamine lotion. IT WORKS FOLKS!
In a few hours I found relief and now it's gone. Try it. The lotion cost me $1.99

Haha!
Best of luck.

Wow interesting Ladybugjustice - if you're still responding to this thread, I'd love to hear how the cabbage continued to do for you--What a crazy idea!! Also wondering how your Mom was able to get Coumarin...

Coumarin works so well it's a shame Mayo clinic (purposely, I believe) "killed it" in clinical trials.

But hey! If the cabbage works as well as some say here--an alternate solution!

I've had lymphedema in my R leg--goes all the way up to abdomen--from radical hysterectomy 25 years ago. Best things I ever found for it were coumarin, and circaid legging (now called juxta-fit, I think--gotta get a new one one of these days but my old ratty one still works! It's for while you exercise) and I wear futuro firm compression pantyhose daily.

Never noticed green tea helping but I never tried it so intensively either. Blessings everyone!!

I'm a nurse who also to happens to have lymphedema. There are several remedies that have to be included together. Look into inversion table therapy( could buy one cheap on eBay) also whole body vibration machines (cheap on eBay). You have to follow a low fat low sodium diet. Particularly long chain fats. Medium chain oils such as coconut oil benefit lymph. It doesn't travel through lymph system not clogging it up. Hydrate like crazy to speed up lymph flow. Also stay away from diuretics. Western medicine loves to give that but the logic behind not drinking diuretics including coffee is because it removes fluid from lymph trapping the slow moving protein making it more dense and sludgy in your lymph system. Also deep breathing pranayama facilitates movement of trapped lymph. Also muscle contractions and relaxation move it along. So muscle workouts are best. Feel free to message me with any questions.

I have a big ole lymphedema near my left knee and it started to get big enough to bother me when walking and causing some knee pain. I read that sometimes they can grow cords inside them, blech. I also knew that epsom salts could help, but I didn't want to do a big bath soak. So I found EPSOM SALT CREAM on Amazon (Kirkman) and started rubbing it in and really kneading it to break it up. I did this a few times a day for a week and it's already half the size.

I use magnesium oil for a lot of things, but it's magnesium chloride and didn't do much for this. Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate. For some reason, it works.

i never figured out how to cure it. But buying a portable infrared sauna from therasage took away all the pain and allowed me wonderful mobility. I'm nearly 50 years old with big fat swollen legs and despite the way society treats me, I feel great and can walk 3 miles per day!