The Lymphatic System Plays a Key Role in Immune Response

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The Lymphatic System plays a key role in Immune Response

 

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Although the lymphatic system is not well-known, it is important to our good

health.

 

The lymphatic system plays a central role in building immune response. It

enables the body to rid itself of bacteria and viruses, and produces

lymphocytes, powerful " fighter cells. " It removes toxins that originated in the

environment and toxic waste products that our cells produce as part of their

metabolism. If these toxins are not removed, they can build up in the blood and

eventually poison us.

 

The lymphatic system consists of the lymphoid organs, which are spread

throughout the body. These are the bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic vessels, lymph

nodes, and spleen, as well as the adenoids and tonsils. The lymphatic system and

lymphoid organs get their name because they are concerned with the growth,

development, and deployment of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are key to

the immune system.

 

Bone marrow

Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of all the bones in the body. It

produces both red and white blood cells. The white blood cells created in bone

marrow can be further divided into two types: lymphocytes and phagocytes. These

two types of white blood cells are the immune system’s front-line fighters. Bone

marrow also houses the lymphocytes known as B cells until they reach maturity. B

cells fight disease by secreting antibodies into the body fluid. These

antibodies fight bacteria and viruses.

 

Thymus

The thymus is located near the top of the lungs and behind the breastbone. It is

a key to immune response. Lymphocytes known as T cells get their name from the

thymus because after bone marrow produces them, they are passed on to the

thymus, which fosters their development. T cells both regulate immune response

and attack infected or malignant body cells. The thymus also acts as the central

clearinghouse of immune response, passing lymphocytes into the lymphatic system,

which transports them to where they are needed.

 

Lymphatic vessels

 

The lymphatic vessels are the arteries that carry white blood cells throughout

the body. White cells also can travel in the blood, but the lymphatic vessels

are better equipped to transport the waste materials that the white blood cells

pick up. Like small creeks that empty into larger and larger rivers, the

lymphatic vessels feed into larger and larger channels. At the base of the neck,

they merge and their contents are discharged into the bloodstream, which carries

the wastes to the kidney for processing and removal from the body.

 

Lymph nodes and spleen

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped stopping points spread throughout the body.

They are “wait stations” for white blood cells to congregate until they are

needed to fight an invading pathogen. Clumps of lymphoid tissue are found in

most parts of the body, especially in the linings of the digestive tract and the

airways and lungs—all the places where pathogens can enter the body. These

lymphatic tissues include the tonsils, adenoids, and the appendix. The spleen

also contains special compartments where white blood cells gather and work.

 

All told, the lymphatic system is composed of literally hundreds of miles of

lymphatic vessels and nodes. It is key to the elimination of waste products

generated throughout the body. Dead cells, one of the major components of this

waste, collect in the lymph nodes, where they are passed on to the bloodstream,

which, in turn, delivers them to the lungs, kidneys, colon, and skin for

elimination from the body. Together, all of the organs that make up the

lymphatic system work to protect us from disease and illness.

 

Helping the lymphatic system

Throughout the ages, those interested in health have discovered a number of

natural ways to help maintain a healthy lymphatic system.

 

The first place to start is by drinking plenty of water. Making sure the body is

well-hydrated will help the lymphatic system do its job of flushing toxins and

waste from the body. Try to drink eight to ten glasses of pure water per day.

 

Bouncing on a rebounder—a " mini-trampoline " —for five to 15 minutes per day can

help drain the lymphatic system. Brushing your skin is also helpful. This also

stimulates the lymphatic system to discharge toxins. After rising in the

morning, use a brush with stiff bristles and brush the skin.

 

 

Herbs

There are a number of herbs that may benefit the lymphatic system.

• Barberry root bark

Affects: liver, spleen, digestive tract, blood

 

Barberry may help with an enlarged spleen. One constituent, berberine, may have

antibiotic properties. According to Michael Castleman in The Healing Herbs,

barberry may also stimulate the immune system and may activate macrophages.

Other sources state that it helps bile flow.

• Boldo leaves

Affects: liver, stomach

 

Boldo is an evergreen shrub that grows in the Andes Mountains. It is said to

help with gallbladder problems. One constituent, ascaridole, is said to function

as a vermifuge, which expels intestinal worms.

• Buckthorn bark

Affects: liver, gallbladder, intestines, blood

 

Buckthorn is a depurative, which promotes the excretion and removal of waste

material. It is also a mild laxative and is said to aid bile production.

• Cascara sagrada

Affects: colon, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas

 

Cascara sagrada, although best-known as a mild laxative, also is a general tonic

that promotes well-being and all body systems.

• Chickweed

Affects: blood, liver, kidneys, bladder

 

Chickweed boasts many folk remedies, but none have been substantiated by

science. It is said to be good for the blood and joints.

• Dandelion root

Affects: liver, kidneys, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, intestines, blood

 

Dandelion has a distinguished history as a detoxifier. Pizzorno and Murray, in A

Textbook of Natural Medicine, call it a fine remedy for a toxic liver. The

Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad and David Frawley, in The Yoga of Herbs, say

dandelion is also good for the lymph glands, and Santillo, in Natural Healing

with Herbs, classifies it as a lymphatic, which cleanses the lymphatic system.

• Echinacea

Affects: blood, lymph, kidneys

 

Echinacea was used by Native Americans, and today it is recognized as an aid to

the immune system. Echinacea contains echinacoside, a natural antibiotic, which

is probably responsible for antibiotic properties. Studies in Europe have shown

that echinacea increases production of T cells. Santillo classifies it as a

lymphatic, which cleanses the lymphatic system.

• Kelp

Affects: thyroid, nerves, brain, kidneys, bladder

 

Kelp is a very nutritious food, containing many vitamins and minerals. Sodium

alginate, a constituent of kelp, binds to heavy metals in the gastrointestinal

tract and forms an insoluble gel-like salt that is excreted in the feces. Kelp

also appears to help the colon and intestinal flora and may help with lymph node

enlargement.

• Licorice root

Affects: lungs, stomach, intestines, spleen, liver

 

Licorice is well-known as a powerful herb. According to a report in Microbiology

and Immunology, licorice may stimulate cell production of interferon. Asian

studies and studies published in the Plant Medica (1984, 50) have shown it to be

helpful for the liver.

• Parsley

Affects: kidneys, bladder, stomach, liver, gallbladder

 

From the 1850s to 1926, parsley was recognized by the United States

Pharmacopoeia as a laxative and a diuretic. Today, it is more commonly used as a

breath freshener.

• Sarsaparilla

Affects: blood, skin, circulation, intestines

 

Sarsaparilla, according to Joseph Pizzorno and Michael Murray in A Textbook of

Natural Medicine, has been used in Europe since the sixteenth century as a blood

purifier. Sarsaprilla is also said to bind to endotoxins and escort them out of

the body. If endotoxins remain in the body they can contribute to a number of

health-related problems.

 

This article is reproduced from Partner's Magazine with the permission of AIM

International

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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