Feeling tired, swollen, bloated, puffy, or chronically sick? Your lymphatic system may be blocked. Learn the signs, causes, and simple daily habits that support lymphatic drainage and natural healing.
There’s a kind of sickness nobody talks about — not doctors, not specialists, not the people who stamp your lab work “normal” when you clearly don’t feel normal.
It’s the sickness of:
✔ waking up puffy ✔ feeling swollen in your face ✔ having “tired eyes” no matter how you sleep ✔ holding water weight for no reason ✔ being exhausted without explanation ✔ feeling heavy, foggy, or sluggish ✔ catching every cold ✔ feeling inflamed after eating ✔ gaining weight in places you never used to
If any of that hits home, there’s a reason:
Your lymphatic system is blocked.
And when the lymphatic system slows down — your entire body starts whispering (or screaming):
“Help me.”
But don’t worry… once you understand it, you can fix it.
🔥 What Is the Lymphatic System (And Why Your Doctor Never Mentioned It)?
Your lymphatic system is the drainage system of the body.
A blocked lymphatic system is the real reason so many women feel puffy, swollen, tired, and inflamed.
And here’s the kicker:
The lymphatic system has no pump. YOU must move it.
🔥 Symptoms of a Sluggish Lymphatic System
If you check more than 5 of these, this blog is about YOU:
✔ Puffy face in the morning ✔ Under-eye bags ✔ Swollen hands/feet ✔ Swollen lymph nodes ✔ Cellulite worsening ✔ Ring marks on your fingers ✔ Belly bloating ✔ Brain fog ✔ Tired all the time ✔ Ear congestion ✔ Breast tenderness ✔ Random itchy skin ✔ Acne on jawline ✔ Neck stiffness ✔ Feeling “stuck” internally ✔ Slow weight loss ✔ Feeling heavy/foggy
Women with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s struggle with lymphatic drainage MORE than anyone else.
Why?
Because hypothyroidism slows EVERYTHING:
digestion
immunity
circulation
detox pathways
lymphatic flow
No one teaches this… but once you understand it, everything makes sense.
🔥 The #1 Cause of Lymph Blockage: A Sluggish Thyroid
Your thyroid is your metabolic engine. Your lymphatic system is your drainage system.
If the engine slows down… so does the drainage.
And the result is the “Hypothyroid Puffy Look” that women talk about but never fully understand:
swollen eyes
tired face
double chin for no reason
soft swollen belly
arms that feel “full”
legs that feel tight or congested
bloating that comes out of nowhere
It’s not fat. It’s fluid.
Your lymphatic system is begging for help.
🔥 So How Do You Unblock the Lymphatic System?
Here Are the 12 Daily Habits That FIX It**
No supplements. No expensive detox teas. Just real, honest, ancestral medicine.
✨ 1. Hot Water + Lemon Every Morning
The simplest lymph mover on Earth.
Warms the organs. Flushes toxins. Kickstarts drainage.
✨ 2. Dry Brushing (2 Minutes a Day)
Upward strokes toward the heart. Your skin is your largest detox organ.
Every book is built on real experience, real healing, and real results.
✨ Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider. I am not a doctor — I am a researcher, survivor, and writer sharing the tools that saved my own life.
✨ About the Author — A.L. Childers
A.L. Childers is a bestselling author, investigative wellness researcher, and creator of TheHypothyroidismChick.com. After years of misdiagnosis and chronic illness, she reversed her symptoms using natural detox, ancestral practices, and thyroid-focused nutrition. Today she writes books, guides, and healing resources for women across the world.
Did you know that it takes 26 seconds for the chemicals to enter into your bloodstream? Most commercial personal care products are full of endocrine disrupting chemicals that wreak havoc on our hormones. On average women use 9 personal care and cosmetic products per day and this can add up to a mixture up its about 126 different hormone disrupting chemicals and add this to the toxins you’re exposed to each day when you got out into the world. Over 1000 of these ingredients have already been banned in Europe but not here in the United States where our FDA has only banned 11 of those ingredients in our personal care products.
The real reality is we are damaging our DNA and we are changing our genetic makeup for future generations. There was a study a few years back that said the umbilical cord of an average American baby has over 200 known chemicals in it. Eighty percent of the common chemicals that are used daily in this country, we know almost nothing about. Our children are being born toxic and we have no idea if these toxins are already doing some sort of damage their brains, their immune system, their reproductive system, and any other developing organs.
Are we unknowingly setting ourselves up for failure in the womb, even before birth?
Scientists and researchers are concerned that many of these chemicals may be carcinogenic or wreak havoc with our hormones, our body’s regulating system.
Most products have a warning label that is typed in bold “Keep Out of Reach of Children”. As consumers, we believe that if our children don’t ingest these products they will not be harmed by them. This can be far from the truth. Think about other common methods of exposure are through the skin and our respiratory tract. WE are along with our children are often in contact with the chemical residues housecleaning products do leave behind, by crawling, lying and sitting on the freshly cleaned floor.
Scientists at Norway’s University of Bergen tracked 6,000 people, with an average age of 34 at the time of enrollment in the study, who used the cleaning products over a period of two decades, according to the research published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
We are creating a toxic shit storm within our very own bodies. The real reality is we are damaging our DNA and we are changing our genetic makeup for future generations. These chemicals in our body products, our food, our beverages, the vaccines and the pharmaceuticals create a breeding ground for sickness. Have you heard of gene mutation? It’s when the cells are changed by chemicals they are either damaged, lost or copied. These processed foods that are full of man-made chemicals, fluoridated municipal tap water, genetically modified foods, refined oils, herbicides like roundup, Artificial sweeteners, Vaccines and the yearly flu shot – often contain mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde and MSG, Pharmaceutical medications and a lot of the Pharmaceutical medications are loaded with fluoride, OTC (over-the-counter) medications for colds, allergies, headaches and fever – often contain heavy metal toxins, artificial sweeteners and toxic industrial-based food dyes. Let’s not forget to mention the over use of antibiotics, antacids, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which completely change the environment in our gut.
It’s not enough to be aware of all the outdoor chemicals that we are exposed to everyday but inside our homes we can have more power and control. We have to be more aware about using chemical cleaners, paints, glues, body lotions, toothpastes, underarm deodorants, hair products and pesticides. Instead start to begin to use products that don’t pollute our very own bodies. We must do our own research, make our own products or be a smarter shopper and start reading labels. I can’t stress this enough. We must take a stand for our health. Stop using commercial products that are laced with unknown and harmful body damaging products.
In my book, AWARENESS HAS MAGIC., you can also find many great recipes for alternative cleaning solutions, body lotions and anything for your house, mind or body.
According to a 2014 article in the journal Thyroid by the American Thyroid Association Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement, these changes may include puffiness around the eyes or dry or coarse skin, for example.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that hypothyroidism can also cause symptoms like yellowish skin, skin that might seem thick and “doughy” with swelling, or dry or thinning hair. Many people struggle with weight gain, as well.
Homemade Deodorant
3 tbsp. virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp. shea butter
3 tbsp. baking soda
2 tbsp. cornstarch
5 drops essential oil of your choice
Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. Melt your coconut oil & shea butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix all ingredients (the baking soda and arrowroot powder) with the oil. Pour into clean small mason jar. Add your essential oil to the mason jar; close with the lid. Give it a good shake to combine the essential oil with the other mixture. By doing it this way, you can still use that bowl to eat with. Once you mix that essential oil in the bowl, it can only be used for the purpose of making your deodorant. Everything you’ve used is edible except the essential oils. Let cool.
Sleepy time Goats Milk Bath 2 cups of powdered goat’s milk 2 cup of Epsom salt 1 cup of sea salt 2 cup of baking soda 10 drops of lavender essential oil Combine the dry ingredients and the lavender essential oil. Store in a closed container. When you are ready to take a bath add 1 cup of dry ingredients. (Kids can use up to 1/2 cup of the mixture). Bathe 3 times weekly, soaking for at least 12 minutes.
You can find several lines of natural, organic, phthalate- and chemical-free skin care products, including Rare Body line.
Some of the other popular organic skin care lines include:
Many popular brands of toothpaste contain a variety of chemicals, including triclosan, as well as thyroid-slowing fluoride, and the hormone-disruptor diethanolamine (DEA).
Natural Peppermint Toothpaste1/2 cup coconut oil3 Tablespoons of baking soda15 drops of peppermint food grade essential oilMelt to soften the coconut oil. Mix in other ingredients and stir well. Place your mixture into small glass jar. Allow it to cool completely. When ready to use just dip toothbrush in and scrape small amount onto bristles.
The FDA doesn’t regulate what ingredients go into makeup products or the labels that are placed on them. A lip gloss may be labeled “organic” or “all-natural,” but it could just be a marketing ploy. Manufacturers know that there is a higher demand for natural products these days, so they’ll do anything to convince consumers that what they’re selling is indeed natural. Sometimes these products only contain about 10 percent “natural” ingredients with the rest are those nasty ingredients that are full of toxins – toxins that could be linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s.
If you are needing to find a healthier alternative to Makeup Please look at my blog
Food is thy medicine, right? Actually, it can work one of two ways. Food can be thy medicine or food can be thy death. This book is a guide that will inform you from the perspective of a women. You will also be able to determine what areas in your life that may need a little bit of work and the skills needed to improve those issues along with some fabulous recipes to help get you started on how to eat KETO AIP. I will also help you understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. We’re going to start resetting those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little booty kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
The Environmental Working Group maintains the helpful Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, rating the chemical content of thousands of different make-up, skin care, fragrances, hair, and oral care products.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health. The highlighted links are affiliate links in my blogs.
References:
Aker A, Watkins D, Johns L, et al. Phenols and parabens in relation to reproductive and thyroid hormones in pregnant women. Environmental Research. 2016;151:30-37. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.002.
Koeppe E, Ferguson K, Colacino J, Meeker J. Relationship between urinary triclosan and paraben concentrations and serum thyroid measures in NHANES 2007–2008. Science of The Total Environment. 2013;445-446:299-305. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.052.
Park C, Choi W, Hwang M, et al. Associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A levels, and serum thyroid hormones among the Korean adult population – Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012–2014. Science of The Total Environment. 2017. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.144.
Wang J, Pan L, Wu S, et al. Recent advances on endocrine disrupting effects of UV filters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2016;13(8):782. doi:10.3390/ijerph13080782.
Cold F, Health E, Disease H et al. Lipstick, Hair Dyes Raise Lupus Risk?. WebMD. 2017. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/lupus/news/20051117/lipstick-hair-dyes-raise-lupus-risk. Accessed June 29, 2017.
Wang J, Kay A, Fletcher J, Formica M, McAlindon T. Is lipstick associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?. Clinical Rheumatology. 2008;27(9):1183-1187. doi:10.1007/s10067-008-0937-6.
People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. The fountain of youth hasn’t been discovered and I don’t know about you but I have to work hard to reverse aging process. Something’s are unavoidable unless you have a cosmetic surgeon at your finger tips. I only wish that I started this journey sooner. Your body needs the right nutrients to fight off damage, and your skin is no different. Nutrients help the cells replicate and have more energy. Processed foods, stress, toxins and low-nutrient diets will accelerate aging. We must protect ourselves from harmful chemicals while trying to get enough sleep, relaxation and exercise.
You can have a healthier, more youthful looking skin but you have to put some work into it. Your diet and what you put on your skin has everything to do with your skin. Does that make sense?
Have you ever heard the term , “Rode hard and put up wet”! That happens when you are not taking care of yourself. Your body will eventually start to break down if you are not taking care of it. It’s like a car engine. If you don’t maintain it properly and treat is with care it will not last you long.
You must nurture your skin. Just like you try to eat healthy and avoid all those over-processed chemicals in our standard American diet. Why not do the same for your skin? If you are not already eating healthy here are some natural strategies to start your way to more youthful-looking skin.
Natural Strategies for Healthier-Looking Skin…
Avoid eating grain carbohydrates, especially wheat – Bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, and corn can cause surges in insulin production. Instead, eat vegetable carbs because your body can typically digest them more easily.
Consider a gluten-free diet – Particularly if you suffer from gluten intolerance, a gluten-free diet can potentially help you avoid toxins being pushed through your skin due to the intolerance.
Eliminate/Reduce sugar in your diet – Like grains, sugar (particularly refined sugar) causes an insulin spike which can lead to less-than-desirable skin.
Establish the proper balance of gut bacteria – Eating fermented foods and/or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can promote a healthy balance of gut flora and support your immune system.
Drink plenty of fresh pure water – Hydrating your body facilitates cell growth and regeneration, elimination of wastes, and helps remove dead skin cells. Hydration can enhance your skin tone as well.
Eliminate ALL sodas, juice, and energy drinks – These drinks are often loaded with sugar, artificial flavoring, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and artificial colors (dyes). As far as juices, eat the fruit in moderation instead.
Eat for your Nutritional Type (NT) – Knowing your NT will help you determine the ideal amount of carbohydrates you should be eating and help you fine-tune each meal to just what’s right for you.
Optimize your vitamin D levels – Vitamin D is crucial for establishing a healthy immune system and to help promote healthy-looking skin.
Get enough vitamin C. –A diet rich in vitamin C leads to fewer wrinkles. Researchers have found that skin exposed to vitamin C for long periods of time can produce up to eight times more collagen!
Reduce your stress – Research suggests that changes in skin often correlate with increased stress.
Exercise regularly – Getting plenty of high-intensity exercise helps your body flush out toxins, including those in the pores of your skin. The more you sweat, the more you flush unwanted contaminants out of your pores.
Get a good night’s rest – Your body’s time for rejuvenating is at night while you sleep. And this applies to your skin as well, as it can help promote a cleaner, clearer complexion.
Naturally cleanse and moisturize your skin – Avoid toxic skin care products with risky chemical ingredients. They can cause more skin problems than they solve.
Have a rainbow-colored plate of food – Free radicals form in our bodies and cause major damage to our cell structures. The different nutrient-rich foods we eat neutralize them. You need to consume the widest variety of antioxidants you can to fight off the different kinds of free radicals.
Eat healthy fats – Add foods such as avocados, olive oil, flax seeds, nuts and fish into your diet is important. The fatty acids are crucial for your skin to look youthful.
Lemon water Cleanse – We build up of toxins daily from our surroundings. The air, water and food can cause damage to the body as well as aging. Freshly squeezed lemon water is a way that our body can start eliminating toxins. Drink a glass of warm water with squeezed lemon first thing in the mornings.
Use non-toxic cleaning products– It is very important that we limit exposure to toxic chemicals because the skin absorbs them.
Eat foods with antioxidants – Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease and aging by reducing damage and inflammation. Inflammation is a leading cause of wrinkle formation. Some of the best sources of antioxidants include:
Opt for natural skin products – Many skincare products contain harsh chemicals. When choosing moisturizers or makeup, research the ingredients in them the best you can to confirm that they’re safe.
Grape see extract– Studies have shown that grape-seed oil is even more potent than vitamin E and vitamin C in the quest for anti-aging.
Here are some of my favorite natural skincare recipes to help you switch from conventional products to a more natural way.
Natural Make-Up Remover
I use olive oil or coconut oil to remove mascara (even waterproof) and it will remove other make-up as well but fi you have oily skin you should use liquid castile soap . Just mix it with water , apply is gently to your face and it will remove makeup without adding oils to the skin or stripping the natural ones.
Lotions and Moisturizers
I use coconut oil. That is all that I need to moisturize face. It is naturally full of collagen supporting lauric acid and is easily absorbed by the skin. Even for oily and acne prone skin, coconut oil’s natural anti-bacterial properties make it a great option.
Natural Exfoliators
A sugar/oil scrub is great for most skin types when extra exfoliation is needed. Just mix equal parts oil (coconut, olive, etc.) and sugar (white or brown) and use as a whole body exfoliator. For more oily skin, plain baking soda can be used to exfoliate skin and remove blackheads or dirt.
Avocado-Honey Moisturizer
A moisturizer is an anti-aging must. By helping your skin retain moisture and acting as a temporary filler for wrinkles, it makes your complexion look smooth. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of fresh cream 1/4 avocado 1 tablespoon honey Directions: Place all three ingredients in a blender and puree into a smooth cream. Apply it to your skin and leave on for at least an hour. Rinse off with warm water.
Wrinkle-Fighting Salad
This energy-boosting fruit salad is packed with antioxidants, which protect the skin from sun damage and boost circulation to help deliver essential nutrients to skin. Eat it for breakfast to start your day on a beautiful note. Ingredients: 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup fresh strawberries 1 kiwi, peeled and chopped 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup organic orange juice 1 handful of chopped walnuts Directions: Combine first four ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the orange juice over the mixture and sprinkle with the walnuts.
Acne Spot Treatment
When you have a blemish that needs to disappear—stat—try this nifty trick. The yeast fights bacteria, the lemon helps dry the blemish. Ingredients: Brewer’s Yeast A squeeze of lemon juice Water Directions: Make a paste using a little bit of brewer’s yeast, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a bit of water. Apply right on your blemish and leave for 10 minutes, cover with a bandage.
Basil Toner
This recipe is great for those prone to acne. The basil acts as an antiseptic, helps clear acne-causing bacteria, and improves circulation to the skin. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons dried basil leaves 1 cup boiling water Directions: Crush up the dried basil leaves and mix them into a cup of boiling water. Once the mixture cools, strain out the leaves, put it in a spray bottle and spritz your skin. Use a cotton ball or pad to spread the toner gently around your face. Do this daily before cleansing.
Almond-Sugar Facial Scrub
Regularly exfoliating your face helps get rid of dead skin cells (which dull your complexion) so your skin looks smoother and brighter. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of fresh cream 1 cup of white sugar 1/2 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup of ground almonds 2 tablespoons olive oil Directions: Mix all ingredients well. Apply to dry face in a circular motion Wash your face off with warm water, followed by cold water. Pat your face dry. Place in a jar and store in your refrigerator for future use.
Coconut Deep Conditioner
Keep your hair smooth, hydrated, and shiny with this natural conditioning treatment; apply it once a week. Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon coconut extract Directions: Mix ingredients together, apply and cover your scalp with a plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap). Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse hair thoroughly.
Tighten skin
Egg Whites help to tighten skin, giving your face a healthy glow while diminishing the look of fine lines. Egg whites also help to remove dead skin cells and draw excess oil from the pores while tightening them.
Remove dead skin from your face
Baking soda is excellent in removing dead skin form your face. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. Directions: Mix ingredients together, apply to your skin with a cotton ball in a rotating movement. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Thanks for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it.
Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet? If not let’s do that now, Got Hypothyroidism? I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com . You can also Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.
Have a great day!
Audrey
XoXo
Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
