Lymphedema

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Epsom Salt Cream for Lymphedema

LittleWing (Boston) on 01/28/2024
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   5      

Infrared Sauna for Lymphedema

supergirl (minnesota) on 07/22/2023
5 out of 5 stars

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!
REPLY   4      

Pycnogenol and Black Seed Oil Helping Father With Lymphedema

JD (UK) on 08/13/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   8      



Betty (Illinois) on 06/09/2020
1 out of 5 stars

Warning

 The vibration machine made my lymphedema way worse. I don’t know why. It also vibrated the pin loose in my shoulder from a replacement surgery. Talk about painful!

Buyer beware! This was from a sitting position on the lowest speed setting, at that!

REPLY         

Judy (Paterson, New Jersey ) on 07/20/2019
5 out of 5 stars

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

REPLY   13      

John L. (USA) on 04/08/2019
5 out of 5 stars

When I lay in bed I invert a plastic clothes carrier and put a pillow on top. Then I rest my feet on top of that. I even sleep this way. The elevated feet allows drainage and in a day or two the swelling has gone down considerably. You can do this while watching TV or reading a book with a pillow behind your head.

Works wonders for me and I have tried about everything.

REPLY   3      

Sea Salt for Pedal Edema

whisperingsage (northeastern CA) on 03/06/2019
5 out of 5 stars

Nobody will believe this, but I got rid of my pedal edema with unrefined Sea Salt. I was in the hospital for almost 5 months ( perforated colon, multiple organ failure, sepsis). I was on normal saline the whole time and various other things. I have a complicated nutrient program which I was able to do for most of that time as I was NPO (nothing by mouth). But I didn't have edema except during the first month in a coma when multiple organ failure was working it's magic. The last two weeks, I would come up with extreme low BP, down to the 70's /30's. I had my hubby bring me Real Salt which is a mineral salt. I had been on Celtic salt for the minerals by order of my GP for my adrenal issues. Each time my BP went down, I'd take a little salt and bring it up to normal. Once out, my hubby took me to my in-laws instead of home to have supervision. I quickly developed pedal edema, to a level I never had before. I wasn't taking my salt as I figured their food had plenty. I had an episode of vomiting and this is hard on me as I already throw out my minerals. So I took my RealSalt to help besides beet juice and V8 for potassium. This cleared up my edema. I had tried various other things that didn't help; dandelion, milk thistle, selenium. But my salt imbalance evidently caused this problem. Something I have never heard before. So I thought I'd better put it out there just so it might help someone. We know the low salt prescription has been a failure and actually increased mortality.

EC: FYI - Real Salt is unrefined sea salt from a deposit near Redmond, Utah.

REPLY   3      

Diabetic Cream Helping Lymphedema

Kenny (Chicago, Il.) on 09/22/2017
4 out of 5 stars

Hi everyone. I've got lymphedema in my right leg and foot. In 2011 I have lower femora Aorta bypass surgery as I was 100% blocked just below my kidneys. I was in surgery for 8-1/2 hours for a normally 3 hour surgery. Afterwards I was in ICU for a week and didn't wake up from the surgery for 2 full days. When I did wake up I had a feeding tube down my throat and a breathing tube up my nose (very scary to say the least) I also woke up to having my testicles literally the size of a 16" softball. I waddled like a duck out of the hospital 2 weeks later. My right leg and foot was also swollen to the size of my normal 32 inch waist. My normal weight was 165 but waddled out of the hospital at 203 pounds. The swelling eventually went down to a bearable size but it took many many months and was a very gradual process. I still have swelling that comes and goes in my right leg usually after a lot of walking and/or movement but nowhere near as bad as it was before. The pain is still there almost always and also the burning when it swells and that is almost unbearable.

I am now also a diabetic and my quack doctor says I have neuropathy but I believe it's the lymphedema acting up again. I wear shoes with Velcro instead of shoe laces and pull the Velcro as tight as I can get them giving me the relief that shoe laced shoes cannot do. I also use a cream on my feet and calves nightly called "neoteric Diabetic skin care" available from CVS pharmacy in the diabetic section of the store. This stuff works MIRACLES on my feet relieving the pain and the burn. I start rubbing the cream on my right foot and calf and by the time I start with rubbing the cream on the left foot the right foot is already subsiding from the burn and it's almost gone. I swear by this stuff if only a temporary fix.

I will start drinking the green tea and see if that helps in between the cream sessions as my insurance doesn't currently cover the cream and it's $10 a tube which lasts about a week at best and the lymphedema is progressively getting worse and the burn is the worse. Unlike so many others on here, I will let you know if it works.

REPLY   3      

Vibrating Machines for Lymphedema

Dawn (Las Vegas, Nv) on 08/19/2016
5 out of 5 stars

The vibration machine is a life saver for me. My lymphoma effects my entire right side, including my back, shoulder and chest areas. (I am a breast cancer patient and had a mastectomy with lymph node removal.). I use my pneumatic pump, then get on the vibration machine first thing in the morning and before bed each day. It has made a huge difference in my quality of life!
REPLY   4      

Inversion Tables Helpful for Lymphedema

Tasha (Jersey City Nj) on 06/27/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   8      

Mutliple Suggestions for Lymphedema

Tasha (Jersey City, Nj) on 06/27/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   6      

Coffee Enema for General Health

Ilovelife (Sacramento, California) on 12/12/2014
5 out of 5 stars

I cannot recommend coffee enemas enough- I've experienced that they work absolute miracles.

The first time I did a Coffeee Enema (C.E.), I was desperate. I was recently hospitalized with horrific, idiopathic lymphatic swelling. The condition was terribly painful. I had heard a friend mention the Gerson therapy in passing one day, and the use of coffee enemas. So after being discharged, I tried my usual remedies and didn't have any results. Then I thought to try the C.E.. I looked up instructions, got the supplies, first did a filtered water enema, then did the C.E.. After a C.E. I clean the bathroom and take a shower. So after my shower I noticed my swelling went down about 70%. I must also say, what expels from the body with a C.E. is far more substantial and disgusting (and strangely fascinating) than what expels with regular water.

I also get soreness, pain, and swelling in my legs from arthritis, and the C.E. will take all the swelling and pain away immediately.

Actually, it clears out any pain I have in my body. It's as though I can feel my body flushing out the lymph and inflammation. While holding the CE in, I can feel a light cramp form over any areas of pain/swelling I have. Then when I expel, the cramp turns into kind of a "rush" feeling, and all the pain leaves.

Any lymph swelling I experience goes down, my skin clears of any eczema and acne, I feel far more alert (days afterwards even), and I feel cleansed and lighter inside. I eat a very healthy diet with lots of raw fiber, but the enemas clear any bit of bloating (I didnt know my stomach could be so flat).

I'm so impressed by the results, I'm not ashamed to admit I do this. In fact, I spread the word to people I see suffering from serious chronic issues. I can totally see how the use of CE can successfully treat cancer.

REPLY   2      

Castor Oil Helps Lymphedema

Moppsy (Palmdale, Ca) on 11/04/2014
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   11      

Cabbage for Lymphedema

Ladybugjustice (San Diego) on 03/03/2014
5 out of 5 stars

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

REPLY   12      

Cellulitis, Lymphedema and Strep Bacteria Connection?

Denise S (Milwaukee Wi ) on 12/29/2013

I am looking for advice for a friend with Lymphedema. He started with Cellulitis, which progressed to Lymphedema. I have read that Cellulitis is caused by Group A streptococcus bacteria. Isn't it possible that this may have also entered the lymph system and causes the Lymphedema? And, if so, what would be remedies for the bacteria?
REPLY   3      

Cabbage for Lymphedema

Elizabeth (St. Croix, Us Virgin Islands) on 11/11/2013
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   11      

Cabbage Helping Lymphedema

Bvigorda (St. Augustine, Fl) on 11/05/2013
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   10      

Cabbage Wrap Helping Lymphedema

Amazed (Seattle Wa) on 10/21/2013
5 out of 5 stars

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?

REPLY   18      

Re: Cabbage Leaves for Lymphedema or Edema

Andrea C (Wales) on 10/04/2013
5 out of 5 stars

When I had Edema in my feet and legs, besides drinking plenty of water which is vital, I used to lay on my back on my bed, and put my legs upright against the wall as straight as was comfortable. And do this four times a day and keep them there as long as I could, half an hour or longer, and read a book or listen to music on headphones or speakers to break the boredom and make the time pass. This worked beautifully quite quickly as it helps the Lymph glands drain the fluid away as well. And walk around my home as much as possible until I could walk outdoors. Hope this helps as much as it helped me. Love Andrea C xxxxxx
REPLY   3      

Cabbage and Green Tea Helping Lymphedema

Darnell (Chicago) on 09/11/2013
5 out of 5 stars

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.

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