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Immune SystemIt is no secret that the world is a toxic place. Every day we are exposed to innumerable disease causingagents. The quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is no doubt in decline. Bacteria have become resistant to even the strongest antibiotics. Every year there’s a new flu shot and millions of us head to the doctor to get vaccinated. Many find themselves sick anyway because the shot only works against last year’s “bug;” this year the bug has “mutated.” In addition to all these factors, prolonged periods of stress have become the norm for many. Not only do we have to deal with everyday stressors (traffic jams, family problems and demanding jobs) but we can now add a bad economy, the threat of terrorism and pending wars to that list. In the mad rush to survive we forget about taking care of the emotional side of ourselves. In light of all these factors it’s no wonder that disease takes hold. The human body, with its intricacies, beauty and mysteries shows a remarkable ability to survive. Cells, organs, proteins and hormones, each one essential to our body’s proper function, all work together in order to keep us alive and healthy. At the core of our ability to stay alive lies our immune system, a system of astonishing complexity. Researchers discover something new about immunity virtually every day. However, many questions remain unanswered. Two concepts, nonetheless, seem to have withstood centuries of research on the human body: balance and integration. In health, all of the body’s systems and functions are in balance and well integrated. No process in the body occurs in isolation; complex processes are dependent on seemingly small ones, showing the body’s extraordinary degree of integration. When physical discomfort occurs the body reacts in ways that will bring it back to equilibrium, demonstrating its innate desire for balance. However, many factors can upset this equilibrium. This lack of balance sets off a chain of reactions that can cause disease. Thus, the question arises: Can we help our bodies maintain or achieve balance and integration? The answer is a resounding: Yes! Disease does not occur in a vacuum. There are environmental, nutritional, emotional, mental and genetic factors that play a role in our health. Addressing disease as a manifestation of a dysfunction of the whole person, not just of our physical health, is the key to a healthy life. Alternative practices offer a holistic view of health. Among these is aromatherapy, an art and science that seeks to enhance the body’s own ability to heal and attain balance through the use of essential oils. Aromatherapy offers us a multilayered approach to health that addresses the body, mind and spirit. What is the immune system? The immune system is a complex network of specialized organs, cells and substances that acts as the body’s primary defence against disease and a wide variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, all of which we come in contact with simply by breathing, eating, and the acts of everyday living. In addition, on a daily basis many cells are damaged or killed due to trauma, toxins, microbial attack, and other processes in the body. The immune system protects us against the millions of viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi to which we are exposed on a regular basis. In addition to this, it protects us from our own unhealthy cells (free radicals) by disposing of them before they can reproduce and become a problem. So how does the immune system accomplish this? How does it defend us against all these enemies? The processes involved in immunity are so complex that researchers have just begun to understand their intricacies. They tell us, however, that immunity begins at the cellular level. The cells primarily responsible for keeping us healthy are our white blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all other cells in the body. The Immune System at Work When a macrophage attacks an antigen, it takes fragments of it to helper and suppressor T-cells. In turn, these orchestrate a response. Helper T-cells always want to send too many cytotoxic T-cells to fight, while the suppressor T-cells never want to send enough. Together they arrive at a balance. The cytotoxic T-cells are sent to fight armed with enzymes, when they find the invader, they can use these enzymes to drill holes on its shell causing its insides to pour out. Phagocytes arrive and clean-up debris. This is cell-mediated immunity. Humoral or antibody mediated immunity involves B-cells and T-cells. It is a highly sophisticated response. When the macrophages cannot handle a foreign invader, they surround the entire antigen, dissolve most of it, and carry back molecular fragments of the antigen to the helper and suppressor T-cells for examination. If antibodies are needed, antigen fragments are presented to B-cells. A portion of B-cells transform themselves into plasma cells and start manufacturing antibodies, mostly of the IgM type. Antibodies are displayed on the surface of B-cells like antennas, ready to lock on to invaders. Once the B-cells label the invaders with antibody, a signal is sent to phagocytic cells to devour the intruder. The remaining B-cells become memory B-cells, which remember a particular antigen and remain on alert for future invasion. The next time memory cells are presented with the same antigen, they will be able to respond more efficiently to the attack by quickly becoming plasma cells and secreting antibodies (mostly of the IgG type). Disorders of the Immune System Many things can go wrong with our immune system. An underactive immune system is not able to successfully combat the many bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that we come in contact with in our daily lives. An overactive immune system may react to harmless foreign substances, causing allergies. The immune system can also mistake normal body tissue for a foreign antigen and attack it, as is the case in auto-immune diseases, such as AIDS and lupus. In cancer, abnormal cells reproduce uncontrollably. This can happen in any organ in the body, including the immune system. Leukemia is an example of abnormal cell reproduction in the immune system. In his book Total Wellness, Dr. Joseph Pizzorno lists a number of factors that have a detrimental effect on our immune system. Among these are stress, obesity, excessive sugar and concentrated carbohydrate consumption, nutritional deficiencies, toxic chemicals, excess alcohol consumption, overuse of antibiotics, drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and corticosteroids, frequent exposure to infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi, and the list goes on. At some point in our lives, we all have been exposed to at least some of these factors and/or engaged in some of these behaviours. Remaining healthy and improving our quality of life is a choice. We can look at the list above and see a few items on which we have direct control. We can definitely make good nutritional choices and reduce our consumption of alcohol. There are many natural alternatives to aspirin, steroids and antibiotics. One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to learn how to manage stress. Stress and Immunity So what does stress have to do with immunity? Ulcers argues that “a period of stress will disrupt a wide variety of immune functions—the formation of new lymphocytes and their release into the circulation, the time pre-existing lymphocytes stay in circulation, the manufacture of antibodies in response to an infectious agent, and communication among lymphocytes through the release of relevant messengers, to name just a few of these actions.” To better understand how stress has such impact on immunity, it is vital to understand the basics of the stress response. At the heart of the stress response lies the autonomic nervous system. This system consists of two branches: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system has nerve projections that start in the brain and extend to the rest of the body. It responds in cases of real or perceived danger. In these types of situations the system responds by releasing adrenaline from its nerve endings in the adrenal glands and noradrenaline from nerve endings throughout the body. These two hormones prepare our bodies to “fight or flight,” diverting blood flow from the heart to the muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system acts in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system. Where the sympathetic system speeds up our heart rate, the parasympathetic slows it down. Another hormone that plays an essential role in the stress response are glucocorticoids. In stressful situations, the hypothalamus secretes a set of hormones into the pituitary, among these is CRF (corticotrophin releasing factor). CRF then triggers the pituitary to release ACTH or corticotropin. When ACTH reaches the adrenals it causes them to secrete glucocorticoids, which act similarly to adrenaline but can be active for minutes or hours. In addition to the hormones discussed above, in stressful times the pancreas secretes glucagons, which in combination with glucocorticoids, adrenaline and noradrenaline are responsible for mobilizing energy to the muscles in the form of glucose. Stress also triggers the release of prolactin and vasopressin by the pituitary. The first suppresses reproduction and the second displays ant diuretic effects. Both the pituitary and the brain secrete endorphins and enkephalins, which are responsible for an analgesic effect at the site of pain. In addition to all this hormone activation and suppression, hormones related to growth are inhibited in stressful times, as are testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone. It makes perfect sense from a survival point of view. When we are in real or perceived danger, our bodies have evolved to divert energy to those parts that can get us out of the mess we’re in—our muscles. The stress response is a great mechanism to get one out of a dangerous situation. So what is so wrong about being stressed out? Why is it harmful to our immune system? The problem arises when we go through periods of prolonged stress. Depression is another enemy of the immune system. Michael Alexander, in his paper entitled “Aromatherapy and Immunity”, refers to one study that shows that fluctuationsin mood can affect the amount of IgAin the subject’s saliva. IgA, as mentioned earlier, is the type of antibody that is found in the body’s wet surfaces (saliva, tears, vaginal secretions). IgA levels are higher when the subject is in a good mood. In the same paper, the author adds “Investigators have revealed many immunological changes associated with depression. Among the more prevalent of these changes are reduction in natural killer (NK) cell activity, lymphocyte responsiveness (T and B-cells) and immune control over, for instance, latent herpes viruses.” Now that we understand the basics of our immune system and have an idea of how stress can have a negative impact on it, we’re ready to discuss how aromatherapy can help us fight disease. Aromatherapy can work as a psychological and physical healer. It is a discipline that treats the individual as a whole. When it comes to our immunity, aromatherapy can help us by working on both the psychological and physical level. It can improve our emotional health as well as support our bodies against microbes. If a person is stressed client the essential oils which can help both the psychological symptoms like fear, anxiety, withdrawal and depression, as well as the physiological ones like increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, etc. There are a range of essential oils that are sedative, antispasmodic, uplifting. Research and experience show that essential oils can be effective in achieving and maintaining a healthy immune system in three ways: · They can be used as tools to de-stress and uplift. · The antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties of essential oils are well-documented. Essential oils can attack antigens at the cellular level. · Certain essential oils can strengthenaspects of our immune system, thereby making the body a less friendly place for foreign invaders. Essential Oils Working Against Stress In his book Advanced Aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt states that “The citronellal of Melissa and Eucalyptus Citriodora and the linalol found in Lavender are among the components with the strongest sedative effects. Also, the limonene of Lemon has a significant calming effect. Oils derived from Melissa, Eucalyptus citriodora, Lemon, Verbena, and other oils with a high aldehyde content also have a sedative effect.” In the same book, Schnaubelt adds that “For their effects on the central nervous system and stress-related symptoms, oils with a high-ester content, such as Clary Sage and Roman Chamomile, are equally effective antispasmodics. They reduce tension in stressful situations or with premenstrual discomfort.” Peter Holmes, in his paper “Uplifting Oils”, argues that the essential oils of Rose, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Atlas Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Myrrh and Valerian have a sedative yet euphoric effect. These oils would work for an individual who is suffering from depression involving nervous hyperactivity and restlessness. In the same paper, Peter Holmes lists Tea Tree, Niaouli, Cypress, Lemon, Rosemary and Basil as restorative oils. These oils would be useful for cases of depression which are accompanied by low energy, fatigue, and despair. One could go on and on presenting research. The truth is that these are a few examples of the research that has been taking place in the last few decades. There’s plenty of evidence that leads us to believe that aromatherapy can help immensely in stress management and thus help us to maintain a healthy and balanced immune system. In the antibacterial aspect of oils, one of the most significant advances was made by Paul Belaiche in his 1979 work Traité de Phytothérapie et d’Aromathérapie. By using the aromatogram method, he was able to prove the effectiveness of individual oils on specific bacteria. He not only did this in a lab, he actually treated individuals with infectious illnesses. He concluded that oils could be grouped in three categories. He referred to oregano, savoury, thyme and clove as the oils with the broadest spectrum of efficacy (in later studies Belaiche added tea tree oil to this list). Pine, Cajeput, Eucalyptus Globulus, Lavender, Geranium, Petitgrain, Tarragon, Niaouli and Thymus serpyllium, were grouped as oils effective against a certain types of bacteria. With the final group having a strengthening effect on the immune response but not directly active against bacteria. Extracts from plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family have shown antiviral properties. Among these are Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender and Melissa. The fungicidal activity of essential oils can be seen in oils rich in esters like Lavender and Geranium. However,strong antifungals also include oils lacking in esters such as Tea Tree, Melissa, Myrrh and Patchouli. Although Manuka is a relatively new addition to the European repertoire it has many properties which make a valuable contribution in stimulating the growth of healthy new cells. Rosalind Blackwell and Michael Smith make an interesting argument in their paper entitled “Aromatograms”. They argue that while conventional antibiotics act by slowing down or stopping bacterial growth or by directly killing bacteria, essential oils have the added benefit of acting on the environment in which bacteria grow. In other words, essential oils somehow strengthen the immune system so that it can battle antigens better. In a very exciting 1999 study, a team of researchers conducted an experiment in –vitro, the results of which showed that tea tree oil and terpinen-4-ol “can markedly increase the ability of certain white blood cells in the immune system to destroy microbial cells that have been attacked by antibodies” Kurt Schnaubelt states that thyme “stimulates the immune response as well as the regeneration of liver cells.” Schnaubelt offers that studies suggest that immunoglobulin levels in the blood can be raised or lowered by the use of essential oils. He argues that in conditions that show a depressed gamma-globulin level, savory, thyme (linalol type), spike lavender, and Eucalyptus globulus have the ability to restore the antibody to a proper level. In cases of immune suppression, Borneol, abundant in Moroccan Thyme, is very effective in normalizing high levels of immunoglobulin. Orthodox medicine tends to take a “one size fits all” approach, where there is one remedy for a symptom. The remedy prescribed is the same for everyone, regardless of the cause of the symptom. In contrast, aromatherapy treats each of us as unique individuals who are never static. This results in care plans that are customized to our specific needs in a specific time. Aromatherapy empowers us to take charge of our own health. More often than not, orthodox practitioners take a “disease just happens” approach. This is disempowering. It leaves us feeling victimized and at the mercy of invasive treatments that often result in a weakened immune system. Essential oils, when administered properly have no harmful side effects. The truth is that health is a conscious choice. As we just learned, there are many factors that can impact our health. Many of these are factors over which we have control. To attain and maintain health, we must choose to use healing tools that honour all the parts of ourselves. Aromatherapy is one of those tools. Our bodies have the capacity to heal; our immune system and its complex processes are a perfect example of that. Aromatherapy offers us a natural and safe way to support the body’s innate power to heal itself. Read what some scientists have recently discovered http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/health/4116053.stm |
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