Monday, September 28, 2015

The Immune/Lymphatic System, Ruled by the Zodiac Sign: Cancer ~ BOOK EXCERPT #2

I am still cranking out the final touches of the book, adding Appendices, waiting for reviews to come in, etc.  I expect it will take another month or so before the book will be totally complete.  I ask your indulgence and thank you for your patience, as you are probably no more excited than I am to get the book in your hands.

Here is an excerpt from the chapter on:



The Immune/Lymphatic System


The body employs many different types of immunity to protect itself from infection from a seemingly endless supply of pathogens. These defenses may be external and prevent pathogens from entering the body. Conversely, internal defenses fight pathogens that have already entered the body. Among the internal defenses, some are specific to only one pathogen or may be innate and defend against many pathogens. Some of these specific defenses can be acquired to preemptively prevent an infection before a pathogen enters the body.   The body has many innate ways to defend itself against a broad spectrum of pathogens. These defenses may be external or internal defenses. The internal defenses include fever, inflammation, natural killer cells, and phagocytes.  The external coverings and linings of the body constantly prevent infections before they begin by barring pathogens from entering the body. Epidermal cells are constantly growing, dying, and shedding to provide a renewed physical barrier to pathogens. Secretions like sebum, cerumen, mucus, tears, and saliva are used to trap, move, and sometimes even kill bacteria that settle on or in the body.  Stomach acid acts as a chemical barrier to kill microbes found on food entering the body. Urine and acidic vaginal secretions also help to kill and remove pathogens that attempt to enter the body. Finally, the flora of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria that live on and in our bodies provide a layer of protection from harmful microbes that would seek to colonize our bodies for themselves.

One of the primary functions of the lymphatic system is the movement of interstitial fluid from the tissues to the circulatory system. Like the veins of the circulatory system, lymphatic capillaries and vessels move lymph with very little pressure to help with circulation. To help move lymph towards the lymphatic ducts, there is a series of many one-way check valves found throughout the lymphatic vessels. These check valves allow lymph to move toward the lymphatic ducts and close when lymph attempts to flow away from the ducts. In the limbs, skeletal muscle contraction squeezes the walls of lymphatic vessels to push lymph through the valves and towards the thorax. In the trunk, the diaphragm pushes down into the abdomen during inhalation, to increase the abdominal pressure pushing lymph into the less pressurized thorax. The pressure gradient reverses during exhalation, but the check valves prevent lymph from reversing and being pushed backwards.
Another major function of the lymphatic system is the transportation of fatty acids from the digestive system. The digestive system breaks large macromolecules of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids into smaller nutrients that can be absorbed through the villi of the intestinal wall. Most of these nutrients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, but most fatty acids, (the building blocks of fats), are absorbed through the lymphatic system.
            Alteratives are the category of herbs used in treating toxicity of the blood, infections, arthritis, cancer and skin eruptions.  This category of herbs may be used in various health conditions, spanning several body systems.  Alterative herbs help the whole body to assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products of metabolism.  The choice of alterative depends upon matching the properties of the appropriate herb with the specific nature of the condition being treated.  Hence, red clover is used to treat cancer because of its effects on protein assimilation; echinacea is used to neutralize acid conditions in the blood associated with a stagnation of lymphatic fluids because of its antiseptic properties; sarsaparilla may be use when diuretic properties are needed, as with infections; cascara sagrada is used when a laxative is required to eliminate toxic conditions resulting from constipation; dandelion root combines hepatic (liver) tonic properties and diuretic properties and is particularly useful for treating chronic problems of blood toxicity; elder flowers have diaphoretic properties, and are thus used to purify the blood during treatment of colds and the flu.  Using liver herbs, together with intestinal cleansers, can work to directly release the burden of toxic overload that can, over time, have negative repercussions on all our body systems, and our state of metal health in general.
  
Conscious Living Solutions: are small things you can do to begin to create cycles of wellness.  Just take one or two suggestions at a time, incorporate them into your daily lifestyle and watch your energy increase, your health improve and illness and disease fall  away.  I PROMISE.

            Foods that boost the body's immune system can offer a lot of healthy options for those who wish to be more conscious in what they take in. To be sustained, the immune system heavily depends on the stomach for support. Malnourished individuals are more susceptible to disease as opposed to those who observe a healthy nutritious diet.  

Your Zodiac Sign and its Influence on Your Health

Cancer ~ June 22nd  to July 22nd 
Opposing Sign: Capricorn

Planet: Moon
~ is a ‘reactive’ planet, subject to sub-conscious predispositions, feelings about ‘self’ and conditioned responses.  It influences an urge to feel inner support as well as domestic and emotional security.
Element: Water ~ Water signs symbolize the cooling, healing principle of sensitivity, having empathy with others.
Quality: 
Cardinal
Cell Salt: Calcium fluoride
Herbs:
Tarragon and verbena

            The water element rules the reproductive and lymphatic systems and body liquids – including blood, mucus and lymph.  Water lubricates, flushes and cools the body.  Water signs are exceptionally sensitive to their environment, particularly to fungi, bacteria and viruses.  Cancer rules the breasts and the stomach.  This part of the anatomy has always symbolized nourishment and motherhood, and Cancer natives are characterized as protective and clinging.  Men of this sign have well-shaped chests and flat stomachs.  As the most perplexing of the signs, natives of this sign run the gamut of human emotion: they can range from the timid, shy, dull and withdrawn to the brilliant, friendly and famous.

            Tension, anxiety, and emotional stress are the leading causes of illness among Cancerians.  They have delicate stomachs and digestive problems, are prone to ulcers, gall bladder upsets, gas pains, nausea and gastritis.  The health is not robust, particularly in childhood, and many suffer from upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis.

            The Moon, Cancer's ruler, has dominion over the breasts and the alimentary canal, heightening the susceptibility of Cancerians in these areas. 

            As a cardinal water sign, Cancer symbolizes the cooling, healing principle of sensitivity and empathy with others, and correlates with the principle of action and initiating movements of energy in a definitive direction
.

            The Cancerian’s “cell salt” is calcium fluoride, which unites with albumen and oil in the body’s system to keep elastic and connective tissues healthy.  It is also an important ingredient in tooth enamel, fingernails, bones, and the lens of the eyes.  Deficiency of this mineral can cause varicose veins, receding gums, curvature of the spine, and eye problems.  Food sources for calcium fluoride are egg yolks, whole grain rye, yogurt, beets, fish and oysters, as well as milk, cheese, kale, lettuce and tomatoes.  Cancerians are prone to skin disorders when there is a lack of calcium in their diet.  Starches and sugar cause them constipation, and salt produces bloating.  Natives of this sign should stay away from spicy, highly seasoned food, and should forego hot pepper sauce and horseradish.

            Alteratives are the category of herbs used in treating toxicity of the blood, infections, arthritis, cancer and skin eruptions.  This category of herbs may be used in various health conditions, spanning several body systems.  Alterative herbs help the whole body to assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products of metabolism.  The choice of alterative depends upon matching the properties of the appropriate herb with the specific nature of the condition being treated.  Hence, red clover is used to treat cancer because of its effects on protein assimilation; echinacea is used to neutralize acid conditions in the blood associated with a stagnation of lymphatic fluids because of its antiseptic properties; sarsaparilla may be use when diuretic properties are needed, as with infections; cascara sagrada is used when a laxative is required to eliminate toxic conditions resulting from constipation; dandelion root combines hepatic (liver) tonic properties and diuretic properties and is particularly useful for treating chronic problems of blood toxicity; elder flowers have diaphoretic properties, and are thus used to purify the blood during treatment of colds and the flu.  Using liver herbs, together with intestinal cleansers, can work to directly release the burden of toxic overload that can, over time, have negative repercussions on all our body systems, and our state of metal health in general.

Here is the book launch web address below to pre-order the book: booklaunch.io/Zakiyyah/theenergeticsofherbs


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