Massage By Jane, LLC

12/20/2025

The study titled “Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant and anticancer activities of mastic gum resin from Pistacia atlantica subspecies kurdica” investigated the biological effects of mastic gum resin using several digestive system–related cancer cell lines. The researchers found that the resin significantly inhibited the growth of colon cancer (COLO205) cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 5.2 ± 0.8 μg/mL after 72 hours. The treatment reduced cancer cell viability by approximately 34% and induced nearly 40% apoptosis, while normal human colon fibroblast cells remained largely unaffected.

According to the same study, the anticancer activity of mastic gum resin is linked to its high polyphenol and flavonoid content and its ability to trigger the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The resin caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, increased expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax, and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. These findings suggest a clear molecular mechanism by which mastic gum resin suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation under laboratory conditions.

PMCID: PMC6084073
PMID: 30122948

12/18/2025

Breathe Deep, Drain Deep: Why Your Diaphragm is the Unsung Hero of the Lymphatic System 🌿

Did you know that your diaphragm — that dome-shaped muscle under your lungs — is not just for breathing, but is also one of your lymphatic system’s best friends?

Yes, your breath can do more than keep you alive. It can drain your lymph 💧, detox your body 🧽, and boost your immunity 🛡️… all while you’re just chilling and breathing.

Let’s dive into the magic of diaphragmatic breathing and its superpower status in lymphatic health.

Why is the Diaphragm Important for the Lymphatic System?

Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a heart to pump it — so it relies on movement, muscle contractions, and pressure changes to keep things flowing. 🚶‍♀️🌀

Enter: the diaphragm.

Every time you take a deep breath in and your diaphragm contracts downward, it creates a negative pressure in your thoracic cavity 🫁. This acts like a pump, pulling lymph upward from the abdominal area (where a LOT of lymph collects) into the thoracic duct — the body’s main lymph drainage highway 🛣️.

Think of it like squeezing toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. Every deep breath gives the lymph a little push to keep it moving out of the body 🧴➡️🚽.

What Happens if You Don’t Breathe Deeply?

When we stay stuck in shallow breathing (hello stress and desk jobs) 😩💻, the diaphragm barely moves, and lymph flow becomes sluggish 🐌. This can lead to:
• Fluid retention 💦
• Slower detox ♻️
• Weakened immunity 🛑
• Fatigue 💤
• Bloating and digestive issues 🫃

So yes — not breathing right can literally clog your system.

How to Do Diaphragmatic Breathing (Lymphatic Style)
1. Find your position: Lie on your back or sit comfortably with one hand on your chest and the other on your belly 🛋️✋.
2. Inhale through your nose: Feel your belly expand — like a balloon 🎈— while your chest stays still.
3. Exhale slowly through your mouth: Gently contract your belly to push the air out 🌬️.
4. Repeat for 5–10 minutes, at least twice a day ⏰.

Bonus points if you do this after a lymphatic massage, dry brushing, or during rebounding — because it enhances all those techniques! 🌿

Fun Medical Facts You’ll Love
• The cisterna chyli, your largest lymph reservoir, sits right under the diaphragm. Every deep breath helps “milk” it upward 🥛⬆️.
• Studies show diaphragmatic breathing lowers cortisol (stress hormone) 🧠, which reduces systemic inflammation 🔥.
• Breathwork can increase vagus nerve activation ⚡, which enhances parasympathetic healing and digestive flow 🧘‍♀️.
• Deep breathing helps stimulate peristalsis — the wave-like motion in your intestines — which further assists lymph movement through gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) 🌊🌿.

When and How Often Should You Do It?

Daily! Start with 5–10 minutes morning and night, and add a few breaths throughout the day — especially when stressed, inflamed, or feeling “puffy” 🌬️🌅🌃.

In our clinic, we suggest pairing it with:
• Dry brushing 🧽
• Infrared sauna ♨️
• Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy 🤲
• Gentle yoga or stretching 🧘

Inhale Healing, Exhale Stagnation

So next time someone says “just breathe,” know that it’s not just a calming tip — it’s a scientific way to detox your body and power up your immune system ⚡🧬.

And best of all?
It’s free. It’s easy. It’s within you — literally 💗.

Now take a deep breath, Lymphie — and let your healing begin. ✨

Written by:
Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD & MLDT
Lymphatica – Lymphatic Therapy & Body Detox Facility

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

©️

12/11/2025

Where Does All the Puffiness Go After Lymph Drainage? 🤔

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t just disappear into thin air!

Let’s talk about the magic behind your favorite lymphatic therapy!
You know that floaty, light feeling after your drainage session? That “I-can-see-my-ankles-again” moment? That “my-face-feels-snatched” glow?

Well… have you ever stopped and asked:
“Where does all the puffiness actually GO?”

Let’s break it down — the fun way!

1. Puffiness = Trapped Lymph

That swelling or bloating you feel? It’s your lymph system waving a little white flag 🚩, asking for help. It’s a backup of fluid, toxins, immune cells, and waste that needs a proper exit strategy!

2. Enter: The Drainage Diva (aka Your Therapist!)

Using gentle, rhythmic movements 👐, we guide this backed-up fluid out of your tissues and into your lymph vessels — like opening the highway toll gate for traffic to finally flow 🚗💨

3. The Journey Begins: Drain to Vein

Once your lymph fluid is moving, it travels through your lymph nodes (your body’s detox hubs) 💚 where it gets filtered. Think of these as tiny spa stations where bad stuff gets kicked out and good stuff gets processed.

From there, the clean fluid is returned to your bloodstream ❤️ and then sent to your liver and kidneys for even more detox magic ✨ — and then…

(drum roll) 🥁
…flushed out of the body through urine 🚽, sweat 💦, and sometimes stools 💩. Yes, your lymph literally leaves the body when you p*e, sweat, or p**p!

4. Why You P*e So Much After a Session

So many of our Lymphies run to the loo right after therapy — and that’s a GREAT sign! It means your body is saying,
“Thanks babe, I’m releasing what I no longer need!”
BYE toxins! ✌️

This is your system doing the work it was created to do — with a little boost from us!

5. But Wait… There’s More!

When your lymph flows:
• Inflammation drops 🔥
• Your immune system gets stronger 🛡️
• You feel lighter, more energized, and even happier! ☀️
• Puffiness says BYE FELICIA! 👋

Your Post-Drainage Checklist:

To keep those puffies away and keep your lymph flowing, remember:
✅ Hydrate like a queen 👑
✅ Move your body (walk, bounce, dance — it all counts!) 🕺
✅ Eat clean (anti-inflammatory foods are your BFF) 🥦
✅ Breathe deeply 🧘‍♀️
✅ Pray and rest – even your lymph responds to peace ✝️

So next time someone asks why you’re glowing, just wink and say:
“Oh, just sent some toxins on a one-way trip outta here!” 💁‍♀️✨

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

12/10/2025

If you’re experiencing unexplained neck pain, shoulder pain, or frequent headaches, it could be referred pain from your gallbladder.

When you eat, your gallbladder releases bile to help you break down fat.

Bile is made of cholesterol and bile salts. When cholesterol is high and bile salts are low, it can result in bile sludge that clogs your ducts, applying pressure to the phrenic nerve. This causes referred pain in the neck and shoulder area.

Removing junk food and adding healthy fats to your diet is the best way to remedy this issue, but taking purified bile salts right after a meal can also help.

12/05/2025

Meet the Mesentery: Your Gut’s Superhero Cape 👌🏻

You’ve heard of the heart, the liver, even the pancreas… but have you ever stopped to appreciate the mesentery?

No? Well buckle up, Lymphie, because the mesentery is the unsung hero of your gut — quietly holding things together, keeping your intestines in line (literally), and even helping your lymphatic system stay squeaky clean.

So… What Is the Mesentery?

The mesentery is a double fold of peritoneum (a fancy word for a silky membrane in your abdomen) that looks like a curtain or web. It holds your small intestine, parts of your large intestine, and even your stomach in place — kind of like a very organized spiderweb for your digestive system. 🕸️🫃

For centuries, scientists thought the mesentery was just a leftover scrap of tissue. But in 2016, it got a major glow-up — reclassified as a full-blown organ. Yep! An organ with its own structure, function, and importance in immune health, inflammation, and lymphatic drainage.

Mesentery: The Multi-Tasking Marvel

Your mesentery isn’t just a passive hammock for your guts. It’s a superhighway of action — here’s what it does:
• Anchors your intestines so they don’t twist or wander 🚧
• Carries blood vessels from your heart to your gut 🩸
• Transports lymph from your digestive system to your thoracic duct 💧
• Supports immune response through GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue) 🛡️
• Transmits nerves that help with digestion and movement 🧠
• Regulates inflammation and plays a role in conditions like Crohn’s disease 🔥

Basically, if your intestines were a city, the mesentery would be the electrical grid, plumbing, roads, and waste system all in one.

How Does the Mesentery Help Your Lymphatic System?

Here’s where things get juicy for us lymph lovers: the mesentery is loaded with lymphatic vessels.

As your digestive system breaks down fats and nutrients, the lymphatics in the mesentery absorb those fats and toxins and send them to the cisterna chyli — a large lymph collecting vessel just below the diaphragm.

From there, lymph is pumped up through the thoracic duct, helping clear waste, fight infection, and keep your internal waters clean. Think of it as your gut’s detox conveyor belt. ♻️🛒

Medical Fun Facts About the Mesentery
• The small intestine is over 6 meters long, and the mesentery keeps it neatly folded like a ribbon inside your belly 🎀
• Over 70% of your immune system lives in your gut — much of it within the mesentery’s GALT 🦠
• It’s being studied for its role in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer spread
• Surgeons are now exploring “mesenteric-based” approaches to improve outcomes in IBD and colon surgery 🏥

How Can You Support Your Mesentery?
• Deep diaphragmatic breathing to pump lymph upward 🫁
• Gentle abdominal massage to move lymph and relieve tension 🤲
• Stay hydrated so lymph can flow freely 💧
• Eat anti-inflammatory foods to support gut immunity 🥦
• Do lymphatic drainage therapy to encourage detox flow and organ support 🌿

The Mesentery Deserves a Standing Ovation

It might not get the attention of the heart or brain, but the mesentery is crucial for circulation, immunity, detox, and digestion. It’s like the backstage crew at a big production — you may not see it, but nothing works without it.

So next time your belly gurgles or you’re focusing on your gut health, give a little thanks to this marvelous, multitasking membrane.

Because behind every healthy gut… is a mesentery doing the most.

Written by:
Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD & MLDT
Lymphatica – Lymphatic Therapy & Body Detox Facility

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

©️

12/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1172489151657444&set=a.577759134463785&type=3

Wow!

12/02/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRvCF7rEnKu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

11/28/2025

🧠💡 For decades, the appendix was dismissed as a pointless evolutionary leftover, often removed without hesitation. But new research from Duke University reveals it’s anything but useless. The appendix contains more than 200 million neurons, exceeding those in the spinal cord, and plays a crucial role in the gut-brain connection. Acting as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria, it helps restore the microbiome after illness while also regulating immune responses. Scientists now suspect it functions like a “second brain” in the gut, directly communicating with the nervous system. With this growing evidence, some hospitals are reconsidering routine removal in mild cases, recognizing the appendix as a vital guardian of digestive and immune health.

Did you know the appendix had this potential function? What are your thoughts on this 'second brain' in the gut?

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only.

11/26/2025

Changes in gut bacteria communities were associated with a decrease in riboflavin and biotin in people with Parkinson's disease.
https://www.sciencealert.com/parkinsons-link-to-gut-bacteria-suggests-unexpectedly-simple-treatment

11/20/2025

The simple act of sprinkling salt into your morning glass of water can make a big impact.

Cortisol is highest at 8:00 AM, and sodium is excellent for lowering cortisol, so salt is a great tool for a stress-free day.

Himalayan sea salt is a great option, or try Baja Gold salt if you’re prone to high blood pressure.

And for an extra health boost, try adding fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice to your glass!

11/15/2025

🕊️ The Vagus Nerve & Lymph Flow: The Silent Conversation Between Calm and Healing

Deep beneath the surface of your thoughts and emotions runs a river of communication — one that connects your brain, organs, and immune system through rhythm and flow. That river is guided by your vagus nerve, the body’s longest cranial nerve and one of the most powerful conductors of peace.

When calm reigns in the nervous system, the lymphatic system begins to flow. But when stress, trauma, or fear take over, that same flow tightens, slows, and stagnates. Understanding this silent dialogue between the vagus nerve and lymph opens a doorway to true healing — not just physical, but emotional and spiritual too.

🧠 The Vagus Nerve: Your Inner Healing Switch

The vagus nerve runs from your brainstem through your neck, chest, and abdomen, branching into the heart, lungs, digestive tract, and even your liver. It acts like a divine communication line between your body and brain, constantly sending messages about safety, digestion, and repair.

When the vagus nerve is activated (the parasympathetic state), your body enters what’s called rest, digest, and heal mode.
✨ Heart rate slows.
✨ Digestion improves.
✨ Lymphatic vessels contract rhythmically.
✨ Inflammation decreases.

This nerve doesn’t just calm your mind — it physically pumps your lymph.

💧 The Lymphatic System’s Rhythm

The lymphatic system has no heart of its own. It depends on breath, movement, and pressure changes within the chest to keep lymph flowing.
When you breathe deeply — especially through your diaphragm — the thoracic duct (the largest lymphatic vessel) expands and contracts like a soft internal wave.

That movement is partly controlled by the vagus nerve.
Every calm exhale is a signal that says, “You are safe — release and drain.”
Every anxious breath says, “Hold tight — protect and freeze.”

This is why chronic stress often leads to swollen lymph nodes, bloating, puffiness, or fatigue — the flow has paused under emotional strain.

🌬️ The Vagus–Lymph Link in Science

Research has shown that vagal stimulation reduces inflammation by controlling cytokine production and immune cell movement within lymphatic vessels.
When vagal tone improves, lymphatic flow increases, and toxins are cleared faster from tissues — especially around the gut and liver.

🩺 Clinical studies on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have even shown reduced autoimmune flare-ups, improved gut permeability, and normalized inflammatory markers — confirming what ancient healing traditions already knew: peace heals.

“Be still and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Stillness is not weakness — it’s physiology.

🌿 How to Activate Your Vagus Nerve Naturally

You don’t need a machine to calm your nervous system — you already carry one inside you.
Here are gentle, daily ways to reawaken your vagus nerve and restore lymphatic harmony:

💨 Diaphragmatic breathing – Deep belly breathing moves lymph and calms the vagus simultaneously.
🎶 Humming or singing – Vibrations near the throat stimulate vagal pathways.
🙏 Prayer and gratitude – Spiritual stillness activates parasympathetic dominance.
🖐️ Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – Gentle touch increases vagal tone through mechanoreceptor feedback.
🛁 Warm baths or castor oil packs – Heat triggers calm, relaxation, and lymph release.
💦 Hydration and electrolytes – Support both nerve signaling and fluid flow.
🌿 Cold exposure – Brief cool face rinses or showers enhance vagal resilience.

💫 The Takeaway

Your nervous system and lymphatic system speak the same language — flow.
When the vagus nerve feels peace, lymph begins to move.
When you exhale with intention, pray in stillness, or allow yourself to soften, you are not “doing nothing.” You are telling your body to heal.

🌸 The vagus nerve is not just a nerve — it is your inner reminder that safety creates flow, and flow creates life.

Written by:
Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT, CDS
Founder – Lymphatica: Lymphatic Therapy & Body Detox Facility



Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

11/15/2025

In a stunning breakthrough, scientists have reactivated the brain’s natural cleaning system, causing toxic Alzheimer’s plaques to disappear in laboratory models. The brain’s glymphatic system, responsible for clearing waste and harmful proteins, was stimulated, allowing it to effectively remove the build-up linked to memory loss and cognitive decline.

This discovery suggests that the body already holds the tools to combat Alzheimer’s naturally. By understanding how to enhance this internal cleaning mechanism, researchers hope to develop therapies that could prevent or even reverse the disease without relying solely on drugs.

The findings highlight the incredible potential of leveraging the brain’s own systems to fight neurodegenerative disorders. While further research and human trials are needed, this opens the door to a future where Alzheimer’s may no longer be inevitable.

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most effective cures may already exist within our own biology.