School of Complementary Therapies

01/13/2026

The body knows…

01/11/2026

This…

01/08/2026

Be a dandelion

"Dandelion" ✺

01/01/2026

Very one sided, but worth reading…makes you think. Thinking is good! 😊

13 Interventions That Undermine Mothers, Pathologize Normal, and Extract Maximum Value from Every Birth

01/01/2026

No need to rush…

12/30/2025

Itchy skin?

🧠 The Connection Between Itchy Skin and Your Liver 🌿

Do you ever feel like you’re itching for no reason at all—especially at night? 🥴
It may not be dry skin… it might be your liver calling for help! 🧬

💥 What’s the Link?

Your liver is your body’s detox powerhouse 🧽🛡️
It filters toxins, hormones, medications, and byproducts of digestion. But when it’s overloaded or sluggish, something sneaky can happen:

👉 Bile acids and toxins start to build up in your bloodstream instead of being properly filtered out.

👀 And your skin? It notices.
The body uses the skin as a secondary detox organ. That toxic backup can trigger itching, irritation, or even rashes.

🧬 What Liver Conditions Commonly Cause Itching?

🔹 Cholestasis – slowed or blocked bile flow (common in pregnancy and liver diseases)
🔹 Fatty liver – too much fat stored in liver cells
🔹 Hepatitis or liver inflammation
🔹 Cirrhosis or liver scarring
🔹 Liver congestion due to poor drainage, inflammation, or lymphatic stagnation

Often, the itching is worse on hands, feet, or limbs, and may get worse at night when bile levels rise.

🌿 Supportive Steps (always check with a healthcare provider)

✅ Support your lymphatic system (hello, MLD! 🙌)
✅ Eat liver-loving foods: beetroot, artichokes, bitter greens, dandelion
✅ Stay hydrated to help flush toxins
✅ Limit alcohol and processed fats
✅ Consider castor oil packs or gentle herbal liver support (milk thistle, burdock root, etc.)

✨ Final Thought

The skin and liver are deeply connected.
If you’re itching and you can’t quite explain why—your lymph and liver might just be whispering (or yelling!) for attention. 💚

🔬 Research & Resources
1. Carey EJ, Lindor KD. “Pruritus in cholestasis.” Clin Liver Dis. 2013.
2. Kremer AE et al. “Pathogenesis and Management of Pruritus in Liver Diseases.” J Hepatol. 2011.
3. Kim DJ et al. “Itch and the Liver.” Clin Mol Hepatol. 2021.

©️

12/28/2025

Take your time. Forgiveness doesn’t forgive the behaviour, but allows you to let go of the pain. It’s a journey not a destination.

12/27/2025

There’s more to the lymph system than we often consider…

💧 Boils & The Lymphatic System: When Detox Pathways Overflow

By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS

When a boil appears, most people see it as just a painful skin infection. But in lymphatic therapy, we view it differently — as a signal.
A boil often reveals that your lymphatic and detox pathways are congested, and the body is trying to push toxins, pathogens, or cellular waste to the surface when deeper channels are blocked.

🌿 The Deeper Mechanism

The skin is not just a covering — it’s your largest lymphatic organ. When the internal terrain (gut, liver, and lymph) becomes sluggish, the body reroutes waste through the skin’s lymph capillaries.
If those capillaries are overwhelmed, bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can colonize trapped waste pockets — creating inflammation, pus, and the hallmark swelling of a boil.

In essence, a boil is the body’s emergency drainage valve. It’s shouting:

“My internal pathways are full — I’m using the skin to detox!”

💫 The Lymph Connection

When the liver or gut struggles to filter toxins effectively, lymphatic congestion builds in the axillary (armpit), inguinal (groin), or cervical (neck) nodes. These are the same drainage basins that serve the skin areas where boils commonly appear.

This means:
• Boils under the arms → Liver, axillary, and breast lymph stagnation
• Boils on the buttocks or thighs → Colon and pelvic lymph overload
• Boils on the face → Digestive and sinus lymph imbalance

⚖️ Why Some People Get Recurrent Boils

Recurrent boils often indicate a systemic lymphatic imbalance, not just a skin issue.
Contributors include:
• Chronic inflammation and poor liver detox
• Gut dysbiosis (especially Candida or SIBO)
• Insulin resistance or high sugar intake
• Low-grade immune suppression or high stress
• Dehydration and poor lymph flow

When the lymph stagnates, the immune cells can’t circulate efficiently — infections linger, inflammation heightens, and the skin becomes a secondary detox organ.

💎 Therapeutic Approach

The solution isn’t just antibiotics or creams — it’s to unblock the deeper flow.
A holistic lymphatic protocol includes:
1️⃣ Lymphatic Drainage Therapy – to clear congested nodes and restore immune flow.
2️⃣ Liver Support – lemon water, dandelion, or prescribed hepatic support to improve filtration.
3️⃣ Gut Healing – remove inflammatory foods and restore the microbiome.
4️⃣ Hydration & Minerals – to maintain interstitial fluid balance.
5️⃣ Nervous System Balance – vagus nerve support reduces chronic immune stress.

As internal pathways clear, the skin no longer needs to “push out” the overload — boils heal faster and stop recurring.

✨ In Summary

A boil isn’t your enemy — it’s a messenger.
It reveals where your lymphatic system is fighting to keep you safe when deeper detox routes are overwhelmed.
When you treat the cause — lymph stagnation, liver overload, and immune fatigue — the body no longer has to use the skin as an outlet.

Credentials:
Bianca Botha CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS

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.

12/22/2025

The body and healing…