The lymphatic system is almost parallel to the blood circulation system. The lymphatic system, unsurprisingly, carries lymph. The main functions of this system are transportation, protection and purification.
Transportation – nutrients to cells, excess fluid from between cells and dietary fats
Protection – from unknown invaders, it does this by producing antibodies to fight and lymphocytes to destroy
Purification – filters lymph, removes toxins and other waste products
When plasma and other things need to be reabsorbed back into the circulatory system, the bits that are too big to get reabsorbed (such as micro-organisms) end up in the lymph system. This fluid (which is full of fighter cells) is filtered by the lymph nodes (to remove the nasties), collected in the lymph ducts and then it is passed back into the blood stream.
Interestingly, lymph fluid does not get pushed around like the blood does but instead is moved by muscular action (movement of the body muscles), a slight pressure from tissue fluids, upward movement of the chest when breathing and suction when the lymphatic ducts empty.
You have some lymph nodes behind your knees, in your groin, a few in your abdomen, in your armpits, top of the arm, by your jaw and in your neck.
The spleen is the largest lymph organ. It sends out fighter cells into the lymph fluid. Tonsils also have a part to play in producing anti-bodies. There is more but I won’t go on.
Instead, lets talk about immunity. There are two responses. A primary response is when the immune system meets an antigen for the first time, the system can’t create the antibodies quick enough to stop the invasion! The disease will take over and you become sick. The secondary response is when your immune system already knows an invader as it has met them before, so its ready to fight!
You can meet invaders in advance, so your body is prepared, in a few ways:
- From your mother e.g. breast feeding or transferred across the placenta
- From being injected with ready-made antibodies (this is not like getting the flu jab)
- From being immunised by a dead or weakened virus
- From being injected with ‘toxins’ that have been made harmless
ALL of these ways ensures your body is ready to jump into action!
Given the recent pandemic, if you want to read up on vaccines and get your facts straight, BEFORE BELIEVING ANYTHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, please visit https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/
Fun Facts:
Positive mood has been linked to better immune function
If you have a cold its most likely to be ‘rhinovirus’ (rhino means nose in this case)!
Therapies:
Massage may reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and stimulate circulation. Have you ever noticed that when you are receiving a back massage, you can get a blocked nose? That’s proof that your lymph fluid has been encouraged in the right direction.
You’d probably noticed that mostly therapists put more pressure moving up the body than down; this is because massage therapists are trained to move the lymph fluid to the nearest nodes.
Had you noticed that you feel a little dehydrated, lightheaded, need a wee or are being asked to drink water after a treatment? One of the reasons for this is that your lymph is drawing in moisture from the rest of the body to rid yourself of toxins.
Essential oils can work on the immune system, firstly, by improving mood. The second way is that essential oils have a direct impact on pathogens (invaders) including virus’, bacteria and fungus. Contact me if you want to know which oils may be safe and beneficial to your immune system.
Crystals are also a gentle way to make change. Crystals are said to adjust the subtle vibrations of the body. You can use crystals to improve your mood, just as with essential oils but also specific crystals can help with immune function. Sodalite is said to boost the immune system, promoting lymphatic cleansing and elimination of toxins. Contact me if you are thinking of using crystals for healing; advice on how best to use them may help. Just was with crystals, reiki is a gentle healing method that can benefit the immune system.