Swollen lymph glands can be a pain. But is there a cure to this? Yes, there is! And we bring the best options to you.
1. Warm compress
The best remedy for swollen lymph glands is warm compresses since the heat aids in increasing blood circulation. This increased blood circulation reduces swelling by providing oxygen and nutrients to the swollen lymph glands.
Washing the swollen area with lukewarm water or placing a washcloth soaked in warm water over the glands for 5 to 10 minutes usually works wonders to reduce the swelling.
The warm compresses should be taken for a few days until the swelling has reduced. Ideally, they should be taken at the morning after waking up and at night before going to sleep.
2. Massage
Massaging is another good technique for reducing the swelling at the lymph nodes. Massaging helps to stimulate blood flow near the nodal region. It also helps to dissolve impurities by displacing them from the nodes and directing them into the blood.
Sometimes, the swelling can be caused due to excessive fluid in the nodes. Massaging can help ooze out the extra fluid. There are specialized massages just for this purpose. Gently massage the lymph nodes with your fingers for 5 to 10 minutes.
This should be done 2 to 3 times a day and should be continued until the swelling has subsided. You can also hire a professional masseuse for giving you a lymph drainage massage.
3. Saltwater
Salt water gargle works miracles for treating swollen lymph glands. An age-old remedy, this actually works by drawing out the excess fluid from the lymph nodes while gargling. The warm water used as the base helps to ease your throat, increase blood flow as well as dissolve the salt.
The salt, on the other hand, makes the water a bit more concentrated so as to draw the liquid from your glands out. For concocting this miracle potion, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water.
Keep gargling with it for about 2 minutes. Do this twice every day, once in the morning and once at night. Keep at the routine until the swelling reduces.
4. Castor oil
Castor oil, much to everyone’s surprise, also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which effectively comes handy while treating swollen lymph glands.
Massaging with castor oil increases the flow of lymph throughout the body tissues and bloodstreams, thus relieving the lymph glands from their extra fluid.
By enabling the flow of lymph throughout the body, this oil also helps to remove toxins and foreign substances from the body. After massaging the affected area with castor oil for about 5 minutes, wash it off gently with a washcloth soaked in warm water. This should be done twice a week for better results.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to cure any bacterial growth near the lymph nodes as well as reduce the inflammation caused by the infection. It creates an alkaline environment near the swollen area. It also maintains a normal Ph level.
An equal amount of raw, unfiltered and unadulterated apple cider vinegar and water should be mixed. Soak a washcloth with this mixture and press it gently to the swollen area. Hold it there for about 5 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.
Do this twice a day. Also, mix 1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar with honey in a glass of water and drink it twice a day.
6. Honey
Being a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, honey is likely to kill the bacteria responsible for the swollen lymph glands and reduce the swelling which is an inflammatory reaction to the bacterial infection.
It also eases pain and soothes the irritated area. mixing two teaspoons of raw honey with fresh lemon juice in a cup of water and drinking it twice daily will help reduce the swelling.
Also, applying some raw honey in the region of swelling and allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes before washing it off with warm water has been known to work wonders.
7. Spirulina
Crammed with Vitamin B complex, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and many other nutrients, Spirulina is one of the best remedies known for swollen lymph glands.
The anti-inflammatory properties of spirulina clubbed with the omega 3 fatty acids relieve you of the symptoms of swollen lymph glands effectively.
Getting organic spirulina is imperative. Making a spirulina smoothie or just adding it to your cooked meal and having it daily can work wonders in alleviating your swelling. Although, consumption of spirulina capsules should be done at the doctor’s discretion.
