Lymphedema.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: herbal remedies for lymphedema?
From: Stacy Hackenberg <ptahmus.mail.utexas.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 1995 21:04:15 GMT

I have a condition known as idiopathic lymphedema. Idiopathic because no one knows why I have it and lymphedema because of swelling caused by excess lymph. It causes my legs below the knee to swell. The only effective method of controlling the swelling that I have found involves wearing a specially tailored pressure garment, such as burn victims wear. This garment is extremely uncomfortable and prohibitively expensive. Not to mention the fact that it's not much of a long term success. I wore a garment for four years as a child and while the severity of the swelling diminished over that time period it did not cure it. Now, the swelling has reached its most severe point. I have no desire to start wearing a pressure garment again, even if I could afford to buy one. No other medical remedy has offered any relief. The swelling is believed to be caused by a blockage or malformation in the lymphatic system that does not allow for adequate circulation of the lymph.

Does anyone know of an herbal remedy that might relieve the swelling? I have tried diuretics and they were only temporarily helpful. Because I also have an underactive thyroid I believe that my immune system at the root of my problems. Is there anything that can boost the immune system? I have not tried herbal remedies before but modern medicine has few, if any, answers for me. Thanks for any help you might be able to give.

Stacy Hackenberg

From: p_iannone.pop.com (Paul Iannone)

: Does anyone know of an herbal remedy that might relieve the swelling? I have tried diuretics and they were only temporarily helpful. Because I also have an underactive thyroid I believe that my immune system at the root of my problems. Is there anything that can boost the immune system?

This is a Kidney Yang deficiency condition. Diuretics that do not foster Yang will not be effective in the long run, especially as most diuretics are Neutralor Cooling. This kind of 'leg water' is treated by East-Asian TraditionalHealing, and there are well worked-out protocols for it. See an acupunturist.Eat no fruit or fruit juice, and try to eat soup frequently, and eat some beef or lamb regularly, preferably with mustard. Your 'immune system' isn't the issue, though Yang deficient individuals have weak Defense Qi (they catch colds easily).