What is the Immune System?
The immune system is a complex network of tissues and organs that defend the body against foreign invaders as well as changes within our bodies, such as cancer or other destructive issues.
The Adrenal Glands and That Important Hormone Cortisol
Albert Einstein is reputed to have said that he studied science in order to better āunderstand Godās thoughtsā as He created this wonderful world. As I have studied anatomy and physiology and the healing properties of ‘Godās pharmacyāāfor a lifetimeāI am, like Einstein, absolutely in awe of the genius of our Creator and of His overwhelming love for each of us!
With plants, in either herb or essential oil form, we have been given wonderful ways to nourish and heal our bodies.Ā I have also been fascinated by and love the study of anatomy (where things are placed in the body) and physiology (what their functions are and why they are where they are)! Placing those little adrenal glands right on top of the kidneys makes perfect, beautiful, harmonious sense! Because of their importance to survival, they are placed with each other in a well-protected spot in the body!
Most of this perhaps too-long article is taken directly from part of what I teach about the Endocrine System during Foot Zone Therapy classes at Butterfly Expressions, LLC in Clifton, Idaho.
Foot Zone Therapy Session Hygiene Issues
Much of the following information (otherwise known as my opinions) is taken from the āStandards and Ethics Formā that each zone therapist registered under my name with the Utah Massage Board must agree to and verify their agreement and willingness to live according to in their practice of Zone Therapy by signing the form. You will notice, as you read, that not all of the following advice is about hygiene. Sorry about that. At least, I am a little bit sorry!
Quality zone therapy sessions require a systematic approach to the acquisition of skills and knowledge, and the self-discipline to always act in a professional and responsible manner. A āprofessional mannerā when touching any part of another personās body must always include basic cleanliness and concern for proper hygiene. This will prevent the transmission of any ādiseaseā entity between therapist and client and from client to therapistāand then, potentially, to the therapistās or clientās family members.
Throughout my life, it has become apparent that when I am healthy and happy, my hair and, certainly, my finger and toe nails, have reflected this positive state by being healthy and happy also. If I become vitamin or mineral deficient or when my heart or kidneysāmy two weak spots during some phases of my lifeāwere struggling, these states quickly became reflected in the health and strength of my hair and, very quickly, in the health and strength of my nails! I eventually came to believe/realize that if my emotions were in a whirl for any length of time at all, this unsettled state of mine would impact my hair and nails as well.
Of course, being the curious person that I am, I began research to see if thoughts along these lines were my imagination or a real phenomenon! Guess what I very quickly learned! And then, being me and being involved in a āhealth care and improvementā world, I began to research herbs, essential oils, homeopathics, supplements, and the connection between general nutrition and optimum health as reflected in my hair and nails.
There is absolutely no question that the condition of our hair and nails often (always?) serves as an outward indicator of our internal health. The condition of the hair and nails can be (No, is!) a reliable signaling system for conditions ranging from nutrient deficiencies to hormonal imbalances and can even be an early indicator of a chronic illness.
Lymph Care Using Foot Zone Techniques
The lymphatic system is a vital part of our circulatory and immune systems. It consists of a network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphatic organs, including your spleen and tonsils.
How do I adequately describe the lymphatic system without needing as many pages as I print up when teaching about this body-wide system during the Foot Zone therapy classes that I teach?
Letās begin today by imagining a team inside your body that is constantly working to keep everythingāand I do mean everything!ā in balance. That is our lymphatic system!
I find the chosen title of this article, those big bold words above, to be educational all by themselves. WOW! Caring for our lymphatic systems is precisely what we are doing during a ācleanseā, even if that cleanse is meant to target the intestinal tract specifically. Every alternative method of eliminating allergies that works recognizes this and works to cleanse and strengthen this vital system.
When the words āself-careā or āself-improvementā are heard, people tend to conjure up different trains of thought, especially if they apply them immediately to themselves. For some of us, the idea of ācaring for ourselvesā may get confused with ācaring too much for selfā and/or ācaring too little for othersā. But failing to look out for your own health can result in a decline in physical and/or mental health in so many gradual and insidious ways! And your poor health, or even lack of optimal health, can impact those around you in so many ways.
During sleep, our bodies should be working to support healthy brain function and maintain our physical health.
How is that working for you?
I hope very well! But, if not, I hope something in this article can help you! There are few things in life more frustratingāand more detrimental to our healthāthan lying awake, so very tired, but unable to sleep. Not getting enough good quality sleep is, however, more than just frustrating because sleep is a very essential function! Without sufficient rest/sleep, it is impossible for a person to be well either physically or emotionally! As you sleep, your body and mind get a chance to recharge. If that ārechargingā gets accomplished, you should wake up refreshed, energetic, and alert. If not . . .?
During childhood and into the teenage years, sleep also supports growth and development. Getting inadequate sleep over time increases the risk of chronic (long-term) health problems.
Studies show that when we donāt get quality sleep or enough sleep, our immune system gets disrupted and weakened. This, of course, makes it more likely that we will get sick when we have been exposed to any sort of illness. Our bodies need sleep to fight infections that are passed from one person to the next. Long-term lack of sleep also raises our risk of obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
I could go on and on here, but letās just get on to possible solutions!