With the condition impacting millions of people worldwide, there is increasing interest in finding effective lymphedema treatments. I have primary lymphedema in my lower legs. Because of the progressive nature of the condition, I’ve done extensive experimenting to see if any natural approaches could reduce or control this. I’ve chronicled my efforts in another blog article. Many, many things have not made any difference. Thankfully though I finally have had significant reduction in my lymphedema using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). So much so that I don’t need to wear compression stockings anymore, or do daily elevation or massage. In this article, find out if lymphedema treatment and Chinese medicine might be worth a try for you.
Lymphedema treatment and Chinese medicine- what works?
While TCM usually includes acupuncture, I’ve tried that alone, with two different acupuncture professionals, and it didn’t work either time.
Instead, what did work was a long course of daily Chinese herbs along with Tui Na massage (which is a Chinese acupressure massage).
I am a big fan of Chinese medicine, but even I admit it can seem difficult to understand. But it pains me that more people are not trying this for lymphedema. It’s natural so there’s no downside other than investing some time and money. So I’m attempting to demystify this so you can hopefully give it a try and see if it works for you.
Chinese Medicine is a natural treatment
If you’re not familiar with Chinese Medicine, it is a natural way of treating health issues. It is holistic medicine: instead of treating the symptom, Chinese medicine always attempts to treat the root cause. That’s the good part.
The downside is, if you haven’t grown up around it, it can be very hard to understand. And it can seem downright strange. When you take herbs, the ingredients can be strange and the herbs that help most can taste really, really bad. And Chinese acupressure massage is quite firm. It is not a feel-good massage…it is therapeutic.
But I can’t argue with the results I got. It dramatically decreased my lymphedema, so much so that I was able to stop wearing compression stockings, elevating and doing daily self-massage. This was a profound improvement.
Why Aren’t More People Trying It?
I believe it is because very few Chinese medicine practitioners have experience in treating it. I have dealt with two in my area (then, Southern California) that were very difficult to find. Both have treated only about a handful of patients each. But according to these two, all patients have gotten a significant level of relief.
Obviously more results and evidence is what is needed to find out if this can help any case of lymphedema. In the meantime, there is no downside to trying. Here’s some tips based on my experience on what to look for and how to go about it.
1) Keep an open mind.
If you’ve never seen a Chinese medicine doctor before, be prepared for an interesting experience. They’ll ask about your symptoms, but they really want to get to the root cause. It may catch you off guard. They will look closely at you: are your eyes white or yellow? Skin pale or rosy? They may ask to see your tongue or feel your pulse. Sometimes you’ll get a lot of questions: Do you usually feel hot, or cold? Do you have cold hands and feet? Can you skip meals easily? How do you react to caffeine? It can be quite extensive.
After consultation usually they will determine which herbs will help and start you off with a specific combination. These will probably be adjusted after a few weeks based on how your body responds.
2) Allow sufficient time for this to work.
With natural healing methods, they are not as quick as taking a pill or getting surgery. They require time to work. You may not see a difference for a few months. And lymphedema is a tough condition, so it may take some time to get results. I took herbs daily for 4 straight months before any change. But then one morning I woke up with markedly less swelling. Then it continued to drop for the next several weeks. Soon, I was back to living my normal life. No compression socks (except when flying or on long drives), no elevation or daily massage required. Freedom! So hang in there and give it a try.
3) Communicate with your masseuse.
I went for Tui Na massages every two weeks while taking the chinese herbs. Tui Na is a therapeutic massage that can break up old scar tissue. According to these Chinese medicine practitioners, scar tissue can impede your lymphatic system.
To break up old scar tissue, there’s going to be some pain. If it’s too much, say so. You can always get a higher pressure massage later. Along with freedom from lymphedema, this Tui Na helped my neck and back which frequently hurt since I work at a desk too much.
4) Support your body while it attempts to heal.
There’s no guarantees of course, but with natural remedies, your body stands the best chance of a good result if it’s not over burdened. So eat a diet that helps lymphedema (LINK), always exercise and move frequently, and do everything else needed to keep your lymphatic system moving. I was on a healthy plant based diet with a lot of green vegetables and I suspect that helped me get the great results I did. Trying will only make you look and feel better, so it’s a win/win.
Is this too good to be true?
I realize that western medicine tells us that lymphedema is both incurable and progressive. I have primary lymphedema and I’ve had it for a couple decades, so it was even hard for me to believe there was something that could partially reverse it and help me control it.
This has been nothing short of a miracle for me. But I don’t hear anyone else talk about it… that’s why I’m sharing it. Lymphedema is too depressing and we need those of us who have gotten results to share what has worked. As a natural method, there’s little downside to trying it and you have so much to gain if it works.
Research may provide some hints
Right now I find very little on the internet about lymphedema treatment and Chinese medicine. Ideal world, more people will try it and we’ll have more anecdotal evidence that this will work on a bigger scale. In the meantime, I always keep my eye out for interesting new research.
Here’s a 2016 study:
Apparently in this study, researchers found that Siberian ginseng powder “significantly reduced” edema within 2 and 4 hours after consumption in 50 healthy volunteers.
Siberian ginseng has been in use in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. It has been a component of the herbs I took that gave me such great results.
Finding a practitioner
Ideal world, it is best to find a practitioner who has treated lymphedema. Otherwise you might find yourself on a bit of a learning curve.
We’ll be working on setting up some directories soon to connect lymphedema sufferers with Chinese medicine practitioners who are experienced with treating this condition. In the meantime, you can search for a local TCM practitioner. If you’re in the USA, here’s some tips to help you do that.
Please leave a comment if you have already used Chinese medicine. I’d love to hear about your experiences and results!
I’d love to communicate with you directly. I also have primary lymphedema and am in my second month of TCM treatment. No change yet. However, my practitioner has been practicing for over 30 years, is Chinese and has had success with treating lymphedema and interestingly he is also Western trainer surgeon (no longer practicing bc he doesn’t believe in Western approach of treating symptoms vs the root. I’m struggling with how long I give this before I give up. I had in my mind 3 months but maybe I should give it more based on your testimony. He says it can work but might take some time.
Hi Ann, yes, I would definitely give it more time. It took four months for my legs to respond the first time, I totally understand how you are feeling about it, it is natural to be skeptical. But once they responded, they continued getting better and better. I still had transient swelling during the day for awhile but it resolved every morning. Hopefully you will get similar results that I did, which allowed me to go back to a normal life…no compression socks or anything needed at all.
That doctor sounds really interesting. Love it when they have both western and eastern training.
Right now I am doing another course of chinese herbs and my legs responded quickly…just a couple weeks. I think your doctor is right…we are treating the cause so it is not a quick fix. I am going to try to treat it longer this time to see if I can get rid of it for good. Interesting stuff!
Hi Jeanne just wondering how did you go did you manage to get rid of it for good? Just starting my journey. Got cellulitis on a holiday to Bali, 2 years later they think iHave lymphademia. Wearing compression stockings which I am not enjoying…. Love some advice, thank you Nic Parker
Hi Nicole,
Sorry to hear you are dealing with this. I haven’t gotten rid of it for good, but it is way way less than it was and thankfully it is staying minimal. In fact it was almost gone…so minimal I couldn’t even tell..but then this year it has gotten a bit worse. I use the herbs occasionally to knock it back and thankfully they are still working. This site contains my recommendations of what worked for me, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. So check out the other blogs on here for more ideas, although for me it boils down to a very healthy whole foods vegan diet (not too healthy, still eat really good stuff so its not a negative), walking/hiking or other exercise to keep the circulation up, chinese herbs, then also for me I need to work with my legs elevated. That combo has controlled it well for me. Best of luck and let me know how it goes!
Curious what herbs did you take? I was just diagnosed with lymphedema today, a diagnosis that took 5 years. I am currently set up to begin lymphatic drainage meassges, but am also doing Myofascial on my calves.
Hi Nicole, the herbs are a custom mixture through a chinese medicine doctor. That’s the only way to do it to get meaningful results, in my experience, simply because every body is different. But the formula I was taking most recently did have ginseng and ginger, but had 13 total ingredients. You have to take such large quantities that its cost effective through a chinese medicine provider anyway…you would probably be spending hundreds of dollars at a time on the herbs for those quantities and it would be guesswork to know what would work for your specific case.
I am Femi from Nigeria. I have been dealing with LYMPHEDEMA for almost 10 Years now and it took about 4 Years for it to be diagnosed. I have had several Surgeries and the situation became worse. I am sure there is still hope for me with these Testimonies. Please, we re not conversant with Chinese Herbs here but I am interested. How do I go about it?
Hi Femi, thanks for reading. According to the two chinese medicine doctors I have worked with, the herbs can help improve it for those who got it from surgery as well, so I would definitely recommend trying it. I wrote an article about how to go about finding a chinese medicine doctor or provider in your area, here’s the link: https://fightlymphedema.com/how-to-get-chinese-herbs-to-treat-lymphedema/. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Hi Jeanne,
I have had lymphedema for 22 years. I went years without a diagnosis and when a doctor finally did tell me it was lymphedema, he wrote me a script for an over the counter knee high – that was it ! It took a long time for me to get over the anger and denial. I have been wearing Jobst Elvarex flat knit thigh highs for many years now, along with night garments and use the flexitouch. I get MLD twice monthly. At 62 years old, I feel that it is progressing, albeit slowly. I’m so glad to have found your blog. TCM is something I want to try. I am also interested in going to Sloan Kettering to consult with Dr. Dayan about surgery. I have been successful at being compliant while working every day, but I’m afraid when I retire and want to live on our boat for 6 months at a time, I will not be as successful. I can’t imagine compression garments ever drying in the salt air environment.
I wanted to ask you a specific question in regard to the TCM reducing your swelling. The top of my leg above the thigh high seems to be more swollen than the rest of my leg. I’m guessing its more fat deposit and fibrosis that just fluid at this point. I’m wondering if the Chinese herbs would be effective in that area. Any thoughts or experience? Again, I am so glad to have found your blog !
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for reading and commenting! Unfortunately I don’t have an answer for that…however, I do know in conversations with the first TCM provider I worked with, he had treated about 10 people with all different types of lymphedema, some from surgery, some primary, some recent and some having had it awhile, and he said all got measurable results. However, he did say that not everyone stayed with it long enough, they got some relief and stopped, so he had no idea if they got rid of most of the swelling, or just part of it. He priced his herbs really high, so that may have been why in that case (usually the herbs were not expensive but he was different, not good). So I would hope that would mean it would help you, but I have no idea on if its uniform or if it all evens out. Would love to hear about it if you try it, please share it here so we can learn from everyone’s experiences.
This is so great to know! Really curious to try TCM for my primary lymphodema. I’m new in Singapore, and trying to look for an experienced practitioner here. Thanks a lot for sharing! Gives me hope!
Thanks for reading A. You should have no trouble finding a great TCM person over there. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Why aren’t you listing exactly what herbs you used? This is very frustrating…you say you want to help, so HELP.
Hi TJ,
As I understand it, there is no ONE herb that will help, it is a combination of many and it varies from person to person. And, then usually the TCM provider will vary it as you get results. So I cannot answer that. Here’s my previous answer to a similar question, if you read the comments it has been asked before. If you want to try ONE herb, you can try ginseng maybe but this does not work with single herbs. I tried that before coming across this method, it was a waste of time and money.
Anyway, here’s that longer response:
The herbs are a custom mixture through a chinese medicine doctor. That’s the only way to do it to get meaningful results, in my experience, simply because every body is different. But the formula I was taking most recently did have ginseng and ginger, but had 13 total ingredients. You have to take such large quantities that its cost effective through a chinese medicine provider anyway…you would probably be spending hundreds of dollars at a time on the herbs for those quantities and it would be guesswork to know what would work for your specific case.
Best of luck.
Hi Jeanne:
My story is VERY similar to yours….HOW would I FIND a Chinese herbalist/acupuncture to help me in my area? I am SCARED to go and try just anyone! Please advise and THANKYOU!!!!!
Hi Ellen, I actually wrote a couple blogs about that….here they are. Best of luck!!! Let us know how it goes.
https://fightlymphedema.com/lymphedema-treatment-chinese-medicine/
https://fightlymphedema.com/how-to-get-chinese-herbs-to-treat-lymphedema/
I’ve had Lymphedema since age (I’m now 42). I live in Canada where there aren’t many doctors that have extensive experience on the lymphatic system and its disorders/diseases nor do they seem too bothered to learn. I was prescribed diuretics (which due to my medical background knew wouldn’t work so only took them for a month then quit). Then I was referred to a vascular surgeon who told me I need to stop drinking pop, volunteer at a homeless shelter and learn to “get over myself” in order to cure my Lymphedema (that’s another story in itself). Finally as my symptoms began to get worse, I decided to take matters into my own hands and hit the internet. I was absolutely floored at the sheer volume of remedies I found online with data, testimonials and photos to prove their effectiveness – none of which were even suggested to me by any doctor/surgeon I had ever seen. I have my first appointment in the morning with a acupuncturist who specializes in TCM and I’m excited to say the least. I am also implementing some other therapies to accelerate my healing including detoxing, rebounding, vibration boarding and the Keto Diet Plan which is the best eating plan for Lymphedema. I’m feeling very optimistic for the future and will stick to these treatment paths until I see results and will continue thereafter. My advice to other sufferers: DO NOT accept what a doctor tells you as fact. Do your own independent research, speak to holistic/naturopathic practitioners for a 2nd opinion and stay positive. There is always an answer to every question…you just have to find it!
Hi Carol, thanks so much for your comment. It is scary, western medicine is often at odds with keeping healthy. Alot of it is trial and error but we all need to keep an open mind and basically, try everything, right? I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you…let us know how it goes!
live in Miami any TCM in my area
Hi Jerry,
I don’t know first hand but I bet you have many TCM docs in your area. Searching on google should work. Then, ideally, call or email to see if they have any experience treating lymphedema or any type of edema. Or at least that can help. Best of luck!