From that link.
''When a tissue is infected by a pathogen, like a virus, bacteria, or parasite, bits and pieces of the offending pathogen end up in the lymph. These pieces, along with immune cells from the infected tissue, reach the lymph node, and the cells in the lymph node then react to coordinate a specific immune response to the pathogen'
Those were my thoughts regarding why the Perrin Technique of manually promoting lymph flow has helped some ME/CFS patients: perhaps it's is less about removing toxins, and more about improving immune function by ensuring that the lymph vessels, these vital channels of communication of the immune system, are working properly.
When I was investigating the lymphatic system a few years ago, I learnt that the lymph system has its own pump of sorts, that helps push lymph fluid through the lymph vessels. This lymph fluid pump is called the
thoracic duct, and is under control of the autonomic nervous system.
The thoracic duct is a very simple setup: it is just a narrow tube containing a series of one-way valves, with this tube rhythmically compressed under pulsed smooth muscle contractions that occur once every 10 to 15 seconds. These contractions serve to pump the fluid along the thoracic duct (the fluid can only move in the forwards direction, because the one-way valves prevent the fluid from moving backwards). These smooth muscle contractions are triggered by the autonomic nervous system.
Additionally, the action of breathing compresses the thoracic duct (which is located in the chest), and this also serves to pump the lymph fluid forwards.
The thoracic duct pumps 1 to 2 ml of lymph fluid every minute (equivalent of around 2.5 liters of lymph fluid every 24 hours), but during digestion of a meal, it pumps at up to 10 times that rate. Ref:
1 2
I believe the lymph vessels in other areas of the body also possess smooth muscles which, in the same way, contract rhythmically, compressing the lymph vessels and pushing the lymph fluid forwards through the one-way valves. So it is not just the thoracic duct that does the pumping: lymph fluid is also pumped locally in the lymph vessels of the lymphatic system.
Skeletal muscle usage (eg, moving your limbs) compresses the lymph vessels and also serves to pump the lymph fluid forward.
Thoracic duct tube (in green), which pumps lymph fluid
Given the autonomic dysfunction often found in ME/CFS, I wonder whether this dysfunction might have weakened the smooth muscle contractions of the thoracic duct and lymph vessels, thus leading to reduced flow of lymph fluid (lymph stagnation).
Lymphagogues (substances that increase lymph flow or lymph fluid quantity) include:
Diosmin (semisynthetic flavonoid derived from citrus fruits) — increases the frequency and intensity of lymphatic contractions, and increases lymph flow. Refs:
1 2
Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Poke root, pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
Wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
Queen's root (Stillingia sylvatica)
My brief experiment taking a combination of cleavers, marigold and poke root twice daily for around 1 week, however, did not lead to any improvements in ME/CFS symptoms. But perhaps you'd need to take these lymphagogues for longer than that to see benefits.
I also tried diosmin, but had to stop as it made my skin
incredibly itchy (diosmin affects histamine, which may explain the itchiness).