The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Infrared Sauna
Posted by supergirl (minnesota) on 07/22/2023
★★★★★
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!
Diabetic Cream
Posted by Kenny (Chicago, Il.) on 09/22/2017
★★★★☆
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.
Vibrating Machine
Posted by Dawn (Las Vegas, Nv) on 08/19/2016
★★★★★
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!
Cabbage
Posted by Laura (Usa) on 08/25/2017
Thank you for the cabbage wrap information. I told my husband and I was shocked he heard about it! The doc told him about it, but to use plastic to wrap it. So he thought it was wrong and he didn't bother to tell me. MEN can be very stubborn. BUT, we know now, or I should say I know now. So we will use that first and see what happens. Again thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart. He was giving up, now I will NOT let him. all my love, Laura
Ginseng + Bumex
Posted by Robert (Cleveland, Ohio, Usa) on 10/29/2011
★★★★★
Since acquiring lymphatic filariasis [nematode bancrofti variety] [elephantiasis] from India travels in 1989, I have suffered repeated periods of severe "bloating" in not merely the legs and abdominal areas but systemic body wide. Weight gain has happened to 120 US customary pounds, filling up as quickly as in 35 days.
Hospital treatments endlessly employ harsh diuretics without even an attempt to supplement with herbal aids. I chose to investigate in the chinese herb direction and found TienChi Radix pseudo-ginseng to be very effective coupled with the diuretic: Bumex (bumetanide) a loop diuretic, available as scored tablets, 0.5 mg (light green), 1 mg (yellow) and 2 mg (peach) for oral administration.
Prepare TienChi Radix pseudo-ginseng as tea or lightly watercooked powder [rounded teaspoon in 8 oz standard serving oatmeal - sweetened to taste or mixed with peanut butter after cooked 10 minutes @ min. 100 degrees C [boiling@ sealevel] eaten once daily with usually breakfast.
It costed me USD $85 per US customary 16oz pound. The origin / source: PRC Yunnan Province; do not replace it or confuse with Korean, Japanese, American or Panax ginsengs as these are less or ineffective although cheaper. Pre-made extracts and teas are notably weak.
I eat raw fennel stalks and leaves [anise], parsely juice, alfalfa sprouts, baked or boiled unflavored red beets, fresh or canned asparagus, raw or boiled spinach, cultured probiotic milk foods and chicken livers with eggs; this constitutes most of my diet.
Results: under Nursing home oversight and full documentation, I have shed an average of 400ml of fluid hourly, more when the regimen began. I drink 51 fluid US customary ounces of direct oral water - roughly 1500ml restricted intake. I decreased from October 12, 2011: 469 pounds to [so far] 364 pounds on October 28, 2011, treatment is ongoing now as this is written. This heregoing I testify as a true report. -RSA 10-29-11
Cabbage
Posted by Annew (Australia) on 08/29/2017
Hello
I find that taking Two tablespoons of flaxseed oil mixed with enough cottage cheese to blend with it plus add some honey or salt to taste taken every day helps the fibrosius to soften. You can use this as a dressing for salads or take it with fruit or on bread/ You can feel the difference the next day when you touch it. Hope it works for you. God Bless.
Legs on Wall
Posted by John L. (USA) on 04/08/2019
★★★★★
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.
Sea Salt
Posted by whisperingsage (northeastern CA) on 03/06/2019 45 posts
★★★★★
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.
Coffee Enemas
Posted by Ilovelife (Sacramento, California) on 12/12/2014
★★★★★
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.
Cabbage
Posted by Alicia (Florida ) on 04/20/2024
Cassius cinnamon contains Coumarin.
Cellulitis, Lymphedema and Strep Bacteria Connection
Posted by 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?
Cellulitis, Lymphedema and Strep Bacteria Connection
Posted by Cyndi (Oregon) on 08/15/2015
This completely makes sense. I have had Cellulitis a few years back and I have had Lymphedema since I was 25. In 2012 or so I learned that I have strep infection in my body when I was tested. I wasn't sick or anything but had special testing from a naturalist because I had no energy and weight gain. I'm hypothyroid and am wondering if there is some connection with the lymphedema and the strep infection. I'm always trying to find out what the "real" source is of the problem. Thank you for your thought.
Cabbage
Posted by Maureen (Etobicoke, Ontario) on 03/26/2016
To Om, Hope, BC Canada, the way I use the plastic is first apply the softened cabbage, then wrap with cotton, then ace bandage, then cover everything with plastic to keep the wet from the cabbage from seeping through. Also it keeps the cabbage from drying out too fast and it likely reduces some of the cabbage smell. After all that I put on socks to keep it all from unravelling. I do know from experience that the plastic does not interfere with the cabbage doing its job! I agree with you to not put plastic directly over the cabbage.
Legs on Wall
Posted by Andrea C (Wales) on 10/04/2013
★★★★★
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
Vibrating Machine
Posted by Megs (Canada) on 04/10/2013
★★★★★
I have had lymphedema for over a year now.. Went through all the tests and a friend mentioned trying a total body vibrating machine.... You can look them up there are a lot of different ones out there... They all do the same... But prices differ... I went on it for 10 min two days in a row and all my swelling is completely gone... I also bought the circulation booster and have been using that. But the whole vibrating machine works a lot better than jumping on a trampoline... So much easier on the joints.. so that was my cure hope this helps.
Vibrating Machine
Posted by Beamer (Brisbane Australia) on 04/02/2018
★★★★★
I use a vibrating machine - one you stand on - got it on eBay. It has been one of the best investments for my health. Highly recommend them. Try one out in a store or gym and see for yourself.
Green Tea
Posted by Lou (Elk Grove, California, Usa) on 02/15/2013
No, do not use those packed green tea bags, like Lipton, but get the loose green tea, that you can buy fron any Asian market. Any green tea will do, just get the loose green tea, it is about $12 to $15 a pound and a pound will last several months. This is what I give to my sister, a tablespoon of green tea along with a capsule of green tea extract in the morning along with breakfast and then just another cup of green tea around 2 pm. Do not take green tea latter in the evening or will have trouble sleeping. Hope this helps.
Green Tea
Posted by EM1017 (Minnesota) on 12/17/2020
Both loose tea and tea bags are fine, but I di suggest you only drink organic tea. Last thing anyone needs is contaminants/chemicals when trying to detox.
Cabbage
Posted by Susan (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/29/2009
★★★★★
Following mastectomy, have had persistent lymphedema on my side. Tried elastic bandages, no help. Read about cabbage leaves for breast engorgement, why not try it? Both conditions caused by excess fluid with nowhere to go. Put crushed cabbage leaves over the bulge, held in place with elastic bandage. Significant improvement overnight; after three nights the swelling has practically disappeared.
Cabbage
Posted by Maureen (Etobicoke, Ontario) on 03/26/2016
To PMS Scotland, after I did quite a few cabbage poultices on my ankles, I got a rash type reaction across the front of my foot where the meets the leg joins the foot. It lasted about two weeks or so. The I had flexibility in that area the I never had before! It felt great! So I would say you are getting some old stuff out and getting a great result from the cabbage. I always hope for the same reaction again so I can get more relief but have not been so lucky.
Maureen
Juicing
Posted by Kokila (Roslyn Heights, New York Usa) on 01/05/2012
★★★★★
Lymphedema:
My recipe for the juice is as follows:
- 1bunch celery
- 1bunch parsley, flat
- 2 Tbls freeze dried wheatgrass
- 3 teas. spirulina
- scoop of red desert clay powder
Mix in 20 amp blender or juicer, and strain through nut milk bag.
Use within 1 week, and drink 2 cups a day.
Good Luck!
Cabbage
Posted by Frances (Missouri City, Texas) on 01/05/2014
My husband has lymphedema in both legs. He also has congestive heart failure. His cardiologist recommended a triple dose of fluid/heart medication to cure the lymphedema, however this negatively affects his kidneys as his kidney function is already at 35%. Triple medication is not good, but it is all that we could figure to do. The medication does help, but his legs are still swollen, not as badly.
Will the cabbage poultice work with raw cabbage? It would seem that boiling the cabbage would dilute its power, but I am just guessing.
I would like to try the cabbage poultice on his legs overnight. Is there a standard recipe for the poultice? I would appreciate any positive response from someone who has actually used this. Thank you very much.
Green Tea
Posted by Renee (Phoenix, Az) on 10/19/2012
★★★★★
I have not suffered as long as most but I have been experiencing exscrushiating pain from the swelling of my legs ankles and thighs from third trimester of pregnancy until now. I kept being told by everyone including my doctor to just keep them elevated well with 4 kids and a new born on the way that was almost impossible to do all day. Well luckily I called my pharmacist for some possible natural relief and he said green tea. wow I can walk again green tea works.
Green Tea
Posted by Jane (Alameda, Ca) on 02/15/2013
I have to disagree! Not all green tea is alike. I would recommend organic green tea over Green tea by Lipton any day. Rishi green tea is among the best in my opinion.
Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy
Posted by Cindy (Mesa, Co) on 10/01/2010
★★★★★
I am a massage therapist that specializes in lymphatic decongestive therapy. Please research this therapeutic device. (The Lymphstar Pro produced by Arcturus Star products). I have been certified in its use and I have seen first hand how it can reduce lymphadema. I know that there are trained therapist in Fl. Go to the web to research or for more info you may contact me via email and we can exchange phone numbers to talk more about lymphedema therapy. Best Wishes, Cindy
General Feedback
Posted by Weronika (Poland) on 10/07/2018
General Feedback
Posted by Katrena (GA) on 11/19/2020
My lympedema specialist said you can develop hard cords and that if massaged deeply, they will burst and not come back. Look up cording and lympedema. Hasn't happened to me but he says he sees it all the time. I got a compression wrap for arm and hand and it made my hand worse than it ever was before.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sabita (Orange City, Florida ) on 09/21/2020
I started getting swollen above my right knee and sometimes it was starting to creep up my leg. One day I ate some thing with a lot of salt and I noticed right away that above my right knee became swollen so I figure I have to cut out salt. I had also been using baking soda for alkalization and I had to cut that out. I just use lemon water for alkalization now. I also have a mini trampoline that I use to get lymph flowing. On days I can I do cardio, stretching and weights to get things moving.
Legs on Wall
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 10/05/2013
★★★★★
Andrea C: I would do the same with wonderful results. But ever since I did a small version of Inclined Bed Therapy, meaning I only raised the head side of my bed 2-3 inches, I never had a problem again. And if my feet did get a bit swollen, it was always gone by morning. And yes, drinking water is key.
Cabbage
Posted by Grannyguru (Oro Valley, Az) on 10/03/2013
I sure hope the cabbage wrap works. I found it next to impossible to use it on my feet, but I tried anyway.
I put the crushed leaves and my foot inside a plastic shopping bag, tried to cover the foot as best I could, tightening the plastic bag to help hold it all in place, then shoved everything into a long sock, repeating for the other foot. If someone has a better idea on how to accomplish this for feet, I'd be grateful to know it.
I feel as if it's really a test to see how gullible I am, but I am really desperate, and I have seen sillier things work just fine, while the stuff the doctors push on us doesn't work and has awful side effects. I will let everyone know how this works or not . I am also drinking green tea.
Green Tea
Posted by Layla (Palos Hills, Illinois, Usnited States) on 03/02/2013
I also have swelling in my thighs and ankles, its not that bad, but it just looks swollen and puffy compared to the rest of my body. I heard that green tea helps with the swelling but I am not sure what kind to get.
Gluten-Free Diet
Posted by Heather (Pasadena, Texas) on 07/24/2012
★★★★★
I had to do a gluten free diet for my lymphedema. Not only did it stop the swelling but I lost weight too. I also make a tea from ginger root and honey for sweetener. that makes me excrete a lot of water the natural way.
Green Tea
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 02/15/2013
To be honest green tea is all the same- tea bags are fine- just drink all day and see for yourself.
Cabbage
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 05/03/2013
Hi, I've read here posts from ladies with lymphoma as a result of having lymph nodes removed after breast surgery, they reported just drinking green tea all day, as long as you make it correctly with boiling water in the first place I wouldn't think it matters if you drink it hot or cold.
Cabbage
Posted by Pms (Scotland) on 03/25/2016
Hi,
I followed your instructions for cabbage wrap but took a really bad reaction when I took the bandages off :-( My skin was really red in places, not sure if reaction was to the cabbage or to the ace bandage :-( Has anyone else taken a reaction?
Juicing
Posted by Kokila (Roslyn Heights, New York Usa) on 01/05/2012
★★★★★
I also want to mention that I use powdered, freeze dried wheatgrass.
Also what helps emormously is bio-identical hormones (thyroid and adrenal)
I've noticed that I can pretty much say the swelling is gone, only slightly at night at this point, and improving even more.
Juicing
Posted by Kokila (Roslyn Heights, Ny) on 08/09/2012
★★★★★
Hi Folks, Stopped by here and wanted to answer the lymphedema question about the juice.
Add enough water to almost fill the blender after cutting up the celery, parsley and wheatgrass powder(or fresh grass: I use the grass too, but sparingly as it can damage the blender).
Then drink right away.... A couple of glasses a day!
Good luck
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jodi (Roslyn Heights, NY) on 12/02/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hi, I have developed a painful case of lympedema, and arthritis with cysts around my ankles and up into my legs from an injury 2 years ago that wasn't treated for a long time.
I've been trying various things, but have not seen a reduction yet in swelling...the swelling is awful...I have to wear compression knee highs, etc. I've been doing Manual lymphatic drainage massage, taking ACV and other natural cures.
The ACV has helped the pain from the cysts on the back of my foot...I think that it might be helping to dissolve it, but there is a lot of tissue under the skin that is swollen and hardened into cysts or like tracts of tissue...weird stuff!
Any ideas from people on natural stuff to help this? I feel a lot of pain recently from other lymph nodes too...feels like fluid is not moving correctly through them.
Peace
Moringa Oil
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 06/12/2024 523 posts
