Health and the Immune System. What is the immune system?

Immune system is directly involved in bringing harmful chemicals out of the body. These protective features are provided by the properties of the skin and mucous membranes, immune system cells, the coordination of physiological and biochemical processes.

Human immune system includes organs that can produce or accumulate lymphocytes and produce antibodies. These organs are lymph nodes, red bone marrow, thymus gland, lymphoid tissue colon and appendix, palatine tonsils, spleen.

The main objective of antibodies and lymphocytes is an immediate response to organism infection. Before the infection can multiply and cause diseases, they must find and eliminate it.

Thus, the immune system is a natural protective reaction of the organism, protecting it from any harmful alien micro-organisms and cells. This reaction raises the immunity to diseases. The immune system fights with the alien organisms – bacteria and its toxins, viruses, protozoa, parasites, donor tissue, mutated own cells (for example, cancer) and etc.

Boosting the immune system is a complex of preventive and therapeutic activities aimed at strengthening the immune system and the body and for restoring normal functioning of the immune system.

There can be two types of immunity: congenital and acquired. Congenital (specific) – is insensitivity associated with biological (hereditarily fixed) features of the organism. Acquired immunity is immunity to infectious disease that originates during life. Duration of protection of the organism after suffering diseases is different.

There is natural and artificial acquired immunity. Both forms may be active when the body itself produces antibodies after an illness or active immunization. Passive – antibodies are artificially introduced during the passive immunization, for example, when introducing antidiphtheritic serum or with transferring to the fetus from the mother through the placenta, or to the child through breast milk.

Active immune system is stronger and more long-lasting. For some diseases (like smallpox), it is active all your life. For others (measles, scarlet fever, etc.) – stays for many years, but is not inherited. Passive immunity begins working in a few hours after the antibodies were injected and continues to operate from 2-3 weeks to several months.

The main objective of the immune system is to distinguish between “friendly” and “hostile”. All the “hostile” cells are to be destroyed; thus “friendly” cell well-being is ensured. But, in reality, everything is much more difficult. When the effects of certain disease-causing agent start harming, the body examines it and produces a specific form of immune defense. But not only it produces, but also remembers the effect of the so-called idiotypes. The body remembers even dozens of others similar by the effect, preparing for the upcoming battles for human health. Due to this, the body is forming a huge network of idiotypes, immune radicals or groups.

Idiotypes – this is the impression of the organism for the external enemies, so the content and coherence of interaction of idiotypes determines the effectiveness of the immune system. In addition, due to violations the immune or autoimmune diseases may occur. Then the immune system may perceive the “hostile” as “friendly” (this happens in the development of cancer). Or rather, “friendly” as “hostile”

And if during the immunodeficiency the body cannot resist hostile – alien agents, then as a result of autoimmune disease the immune system due to violations takes their own cells, proteins, tissues for the hostile – alien cells and begins destroying them. Such diseases include, for example, rheumatoid arthritis (joint and connective tissue destruction), multiple sclerosis (destruction of nerve fibers) and psoriasis (destruction of skin). However, immune diseases, due to the fact that it has no clearly defined forms of expression, are more complicated to spot.

More often the steep decline of immunity arises during stress and heavy loads. In high risk group there are people whose professions in some ways connected with this.

The scientists estimated that the loss of a close relative or a loved one reduces by ten times the possibility of killing cancer cells that appears in the body or removing toxic substances and fighting the bacteria. Usually these people are described as: “He has aged within two days.” It is worth noting the violation of the immune system during the surgical operations. This is stressful for everyone; the body is already weakened and in the period after the operation the immune system more than ever needs help and support, thus immune system boost is required.

Immunity in newborns and infants is very imperfect, so a big role in protecting a child aged 6 to 12 months plays breast-feeding and prevention of dysbacteriosis. Older people also are at risk.

Under the threat are also people who are in connection with the specifics of their work cannot maintain the sleep, food intake and physical activity schedule.

Bad habits such as smoking, alcohol abuse can also (and quite significantly) affect the immune system.
The main signs of damage of the immune system are frequent relapses of chronic or catarrhal diseases, which cannot be treated. But this is not enough to suspect immune deficiency. Immunological tests are needed to be held when all these troubles occur despite appropriate and timely treatment.

We should discuss how you can boost your immune system and help your body get strong, so it can meet autumn and winter ubiquitous influenza virus and other catarrhal diseases. Of course – vitamins and minerals. Most important for the immune system are vitamins A, B5, C, D, F, PP; minerals selenium, zinc, calcium, iron, iodine, manganese.

Useful physical exercises to boost your immune system are gymnastics, aerobics, fitness, running, walking, shaping, using fitness equipment also boost your immune system. But you cannot take a fancy from this! It is proved that excessive load damages immunity. Meals should be regular. Diet – preferably with a small amount of fat, parabenzoates and cholesterol. Rather beneficial is kefir – it contains bifidobacteria, increasing the activity of the immune response.

Food supplements can also boost your immune system. Among vegetable we can name – echinacea, garlic, liquorice, Eleutherococcus, magnolia vine. From the additives on the animal basis: propolis, breeding milk, shellfish hydrolysates and crustaceans modified chitin.

It is important to determine factors in time, which has a negative effect on the immune system and try to remove them before they do any harm. Even such things as insufficient lighting in the room, can in conjunction with other harming factors cause complications.

There are also some wrong beliefs regarding the immune system. For example, that all diseases come from weakened immunity. Naturally, the immune system plays a huge role in the life of every person and it is one of the most important systems. To some extent this will correspond to reality, but usually for the development of the disease there must be several factors, one of them may be weakened immunity. However there are some diseases that develop regardless of the immune system, but in the future this will lead to weakening of immune system (example – diabetes).

With infectious diseases immunity can handle itself. This myth is also partly based on real facts – with many viruses and bacteria the immune system manages itself. But unfortunately, even very good immunity is often unable to resist a massive attack by the viruses and bacteria, or to resist powerful stimulus such as dysentery, typhoid, cholera, etc. If the micro-organisms overcome the protective barrier then the immune system will need help and immediate disease treatment. The decision about how to act, you need to take according to the situation. Sometimes, to help and boost the immune system eliminate harmful pathogens some general-strengthening methods is enough, such as vitamins. Sometimes, it is necessary to use antibacterial products or immunity correcting therapy.

It is necessary to take medicines in order to boost your immune system is another misconception. According to experts, strengthening the immunity of a healthy person using drugs is virtually impossible. The reason for this is that drugs are designed to strengthen the immunity of sick patients and helps only with combination with drugs for a specific disease. You cannot store health, but it can cause harm. Intake of such drugs may cause significant harm to human health. The chemical balance of the body – is rather fragile, incorrect and untimely stimulation of the immune system can cause autoimmune diseases.

It is false that all drugs designed from immune system boost the immune system. The point is that in addition to drugs that boost the immune system, there are drugs that are immune, but using them suppresses the immune system. Medicine uses them in cases of organ transplantation to ensure that the organism does not reject alien object. Also they are prescribed in cases of autoimmune diseases to suppress it.

From all the drugs only immune ones can affect immunity. This opinion is wrong. All the chemical substances have an impact on immunity. Regardless of the effect, suppressing or stimulating it will have on the immune system- some changes in its work will appear. And it is necessary to take into consideration that most drugs with long-term use can cause weakening of immunity; it is good to take preventive measures to maintain the body’s defense forces and to use general boosting drugs for support.

From the pharmacological properties the most specific for essential oils are anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral and anti-worm activity. It was found that microbes during prolonged contact with essential oils do not produce sustainability. Some essential oils in combination with antibiotics increase the bactericidal activity for 4-10 times. Some essential oils have an effect on the activity of cardiovascular system and central nervous system, have calming and soothing properties. They stimulate the nervous system, lower nervous tension, relieve stress, reduce irritability, nervous excitability, normalize sleep, help to avoid obsessive state and increase efficiency.

Wet cleaning with a few drops of any essential oil or oil compositions disinfects the room, cleans the air from harmful impurities. Pleasant aroma of essential oil in your home creates a good atmosphere. You will relieve yourself and your loved ones from stress and quarrels.

Natural essential oils for women

Menstrual cycle: rose, neroli, hyssop, juniper, verbena, mint, geranium, chamomile

Anti-inflammatory: patchouli, marjoram, bergamot, geranium, clove, verbena, rosemary, chamomile, thyme, sage

Erotic: geranium, verbena, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, bergamot, sandalwood, patchouli, Citrus begaradia, myrrh, nutmeg, neroli, pine

Natural essential oils for men

Anti-inflammatory: pine, ginger, marjoram, sandalwood, sage, tea tree, eucalyptus, nayoli, rosemary

Erotic: ginger, juniper, thyme, Lime, verbena, Vetiveria, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, bergamot, sandalwood, patchouli, Citrus begaradia, myrrh, nutmeg, neroli, pine

Natural essential oils for for sports and active lifestyle

Muscle exhaustion after sports: verbena, mint, juniper, Melissa, ginger, cinnamon

Burns: rose, eucalyptus, lavender, sage, chamomile, nayoli, cajeput, bergamot, lemon, tea tree

Wounds: cajeput, pine, cloves, juniper, rose, chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, nutmeg, cedar

Bruises: Lemon, Melissa, mint, neroli, Citrus begaradia, rosemary, hyssop, sage, cypress,

Endocrine system – lavender, peppermint.

Natural essential oils for circulatory system organs

High blood pressure: vanilla, ylang-ylang, hyssop, lemon, marjoram, juniper, fennel, cypress, geranium, lavender, Lime, Citrus begaradia, rosemary

Low blood pressure: cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, sage, verbena, spruce, leuzea, citronella

Atherosclerosis: orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, Citrus begaradia, neroli, geranium, juniper, rose, verbena, ylang-ylang, lavender, frankincense, leuzea, rosemary

Natural essential oils for digestion organs

Cramps, colic: orange, basil, bergamot, verbena, grapefruit, ylang-ylang, Cajeput, cypress, anise, fennel, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, neroli, rose, chamomile, pine, tea tree

Diarrhea: basil, bergamot, geranium, clove, hyssop, cypress, Cajeput, nayoli, lemon, nutmeg, juniper, mint, marjoram, rosemary, chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, thyme, ylang-ylang, verbena

Constipation: anise, orange, fennel, hyssop, chamomile, rosemary

A sense of heaviness after the meal: orange, anise, bergamot, cloves, ginger, Cajeput, cinnamon, lemon, nutmeg, juniper, mint, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, fennel

Heartburn: mint, lemon, sage, ylang-ylang

Stomach ulcer – cedar, peppermint

Hiccups – ylang-ylang

Natural essential oils for cardiovascular system

Using essential oils you can positively affect the course of coronary heart disease, for the violation of the heart rate, because some components of aromatic plant substances and their compositions are able to expand coronary blood vessels, which improves the supply rate of heart muscles with oxygen and glucose. Aromatic plant substances can improve the processes of conductivity and can relieve arrhythmias. During transient hypertension normalizes blood pressure.

Essential oils for SSA: cedar, cypress, geranium, lavender, orange, pepper mint, Wild rosemary, ylang-ylang.

The immune system

Crimean republican I.M.Sechenova Research Institute found that essential oils can be considered as universal preventive substances with a number of advantages over other health care means. Particular attention was drawn to the immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of essential oils. Immunostimulating activity for B-cells of immune system was found in essential oil of eucalyptus. During immunodeficiency it is recommended to use oil of cedar, cypress, eucalyptus.

Aromatic plant substances can be successfully used in the early stages of carcinogenesis – immune-metabolic. They slower down the appearance of both endogenous and exogenous carcinogens in the body and block their interaction with target cells.
When new formations it is recommended to use geranium, tea tree, cypress.
For cancer (to alleviate the state) – eucalyptus, geranium, cedar, cypress.

Natural essential oils for the immune system

Cypress, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, orange, spruce, pine, myrtle, cedar, bergamot, rosemary, chamomile.

Essential oils are potential radioprotectors. They reproduce radiodefensive effects of essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus. These essential oils can also help to significantly decrease postradiational bacterial complications that are the leading cause for death of animals.

Muscle System: agility oil, cypress, lavender, orange, peppermint.

Nervous System: geranium oil, lavender, orange, peppermint, Wild rosemary.

Natural essential oils for respiratory system

Essential oils are able to provide anti-inflammatory, expectorant effect, increase the functional activity of the respiratory lung system: cedar, cypress, eucalyptus, orange, peppermint, Wild rosemary, lavender.

Bone system – agility, pepper mint.

Skin – cedar oil, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and lavender.

Urogenital system -cedar, tea tree.