This information is not meant to replace or preclude proper medical treatment. If you decide to use this information in a way that includes self-treatment, please make sure your physician or health care provider has full knowledge of your actions.

If you know of those that could benefit from any of this information, please feel free to forward it or even copy it as long as you leave it in its original form.

CONTENTS

The Lymph Nodes/Vessels

Interesting Facts

Echinacea

The Lymph Nodes and Vessels

The lymph nodes belong to the immune system and are considered organs. Although their size may vary, they are normally less than one inch long and thought to be bean shaped, although no one knows for sure. The lymph nodes are located throughout the body; some between muscle tissue, some within the trunk, and some in the intestines (these are often referred to as peyer’s patches). The function of the lymph system is to produce and manage Lymphocytes, which participate in the body’s immunity response. It has been called the body’s second circulatory system.

If you have a sluggish lymph system, some things you can do to improve its function include exercise and keeping the body free of toxins. Since the lymph nodes are located within the muscles, exercise acts as a pump. The lymph system has no pump of its own, so it depends on movement to circulate lymphatic fluid. Movement or exercise lessens the possibility of the lymph system clogging or being sluggish.

Things that can cause the lymph system to become sluggish or clogged include inactivity (this is the couch potato syndrome), scarring from injury or surgery, excessive proteins (especially meat and dairy), acidosis, and even tight clothing can hinder its circulation.

Possible Health Conditions or Symptoms

Hyperactivity (overactive):
     Autoimmune diseases are believed by some to be an overactive immune system response that attacks that individuals own body and tissue indiscriminately. Some of these diseases include Arthritis, MS, Lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, Myasthenia Gravis, Thyrotoxics, Grave’s disease, Chronic Atrophic gastritis, Primary Adrenal, Atrophy, and Scleroderma.
     It doesn’t make sense that the body’s immune system would begin attacking itself for no apparent reason. It is also believed by some that this reaction could be due to a build up of impurities or toxins within that particular area of the body and that the body’s way of adjusting this environment would be to attack the part of the organ or cells that this condition existed in.

Hypoactivity (underactive):
A sluggish or underactive lymph system could cause poor immune system response, or Lymphomas, which is cancer of the lymph nodes.

Location of the Lymph Nodes in Different Modalities:

Kinesiology:
The major points are located in the armpits (axilla), under the jaw (mandible), and in the groin (inguinal).

Iridology:
If there is no problem with the lymph system, it will not appear in the eye. If a problem exists, it will appear in the outer perimeter of both or either eye. It will appear as small beads that are called rosaries if more than one appears.

Reflexology:
The lymph system can be located on the top of both feet, above and along all the toes and from the ankle across the foot.

Supplements, Herbs, and Homeopathics used in assisting the Lymph System:

Vitamins:
B-complex, A, C, E, B-5, B-6 needed for the formation of antibodies.

Minerals:
Selenium

Herbs:
Burdock – blood purifier

Echinacea – one of the best lymph system cleansers.

Garlic – Nature’s antibiotic.

Ginger – compress stimulates dissolving congestion.

Goldenseal – said to have antibiotic action.

Myrrh – helps to fight and ward off infection.

Oregon Grape – helps the body cleanse itself of staff.

Parsley – increases the body’s resistance to disease.

Herbal Combinations (Nature’s Sunshine Products):

BP-X – a Dr. John Christopher formula for purifying the blood.

Blood Build, Chinese – a combination of Chinese herbs for blood purification.

Other Nutritional Supplements:

Grapine (NSP) – Antioxidant

L-Arginine – immune stimulant and anti-tumoral (food source…peanuts).

A Question to ask yourself:

Are you sick often or have a hard time getting over an infection? A yes answer could indicate clogged lymph nodes.

Sources:
Mary’s Herbs
Disease Prevention and Treatment Protocols; Life Extension Foundation, 1998

Interesting Facts

Vitamin E seems to play a specific role in the central nervous system (CNS). It has been used in pharmacological doses in the treatment of disorders such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the facial muscles). One investigation showed that 2,000 IU of vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl acetate) is beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In other studies, 400 IU vitamin E/per day or more were found beneficial in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. The effectiveness of vitamin E in controlling cardiovascular disease has been shown. The results from 2 large clinical trials suggests that the intake of vitamin E is relatively safe for less than 2 years at 2,000 IU per day.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, vol 70, iss 5, pp 793-801.

It is well known that curcumin is a powerful inhibitor of proliferation of several tumor cell lines. In a study at low concentrations, curcumin inhibited the proliferation of an immature B cell lymphoma, more effectively than that of normal B lymphocytes (immune system cells) and caused the apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Curcumin also played a role in the reduction of the action of genes that help tumors survive. Thus, curcumin stopped the growth as well as initiated apoptosis of immature B cell lymphoma by down regulation of growth and survival promoting genes.
Cinical Immunology, 1999, vol 93, iss 2, pp 152-161.

Coenzyme Q (10) is a powerful antioxidant in blood and lipoproteins. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), which is a free radical generator, causes DNA damage. A study showed that when lymphocytes (immune system cells) were exposed to H2O2, there was a rapid decrease of CoQ10 in both CoQ10 enriched and in control cells. However, in 30 minutes, in CoQ10 enriched cells compared with control cells, the amount of DNA strand breaks in the cells was lower and the viability of the cells was significantly higher. Thus, supplementation with CoQ10 enhances DNA resistance towards free radicals brought on by H2O2. However, it does not directly inhibit DNA strand break formation.
Free radical Biology and Medicine, 1999, vol 27, iss 9-10, pp 1027-1032.

Echinacea

     
    Echinacea                                                Ultimate Echinacea

Through scientific research and studies, echinacea has come to be regarded as one of the most promising immune strengtheners in existence. The reason that so many people find this herb so useful is that it has the ability to fight off infections, colds, flus, strep throat, bronchitis, and other immune disorders. If taken when the first symptoms of a cold or flu surface, echinacea can stop them from progressing further. Echinacea builds up worn down immune systems and is extremely safe to use.

The Plains Indians used this perennial as their primary medicine source for hundreds of years. They applied it to wounds, stings, and bites of all kinds. In addition, they used it as a mouthwash to treat sore teeth and gums, and they drank it to cure colds, measles, mumps, and arthritis. American settlers moving west in the 1800’s discovered some Native Americans, like the Kiowa tribe, who chewed on the root and swallowed the juice for relief of respiratory ailments.

Echinacea is a very powerful immune stimulator. It is able to strengthen the immune system because the polysaccharides of the herb resemble bacteria. The immune system thinks that it is being invaded by something dangerous and begins to prepare for an attack. Consequently, the body becomes stronger and better able to fight the real bacteria.

Echinacea is one of the leading herbal recommendations for the prevention of colds and flu in both Europe and America today. One study conducted on 108 patients with increased susceptibility to colds found that treatment with echinacea resulted in a decreased frequency of colds and flu.

Contemporary herbalists recommend using this "botanical antibiotic" for a variety of problems as well as consuming it on a daily basis as a tonic and infection preventative. Echinacea contains a natural antibiotic called echinacoside. As a result, this popular herb fights and prevents infections in a way comparable to that of penicillin. A study conducted at the University of Munich discovered that echinacea increases the amount of infection fighting T-cells in the body by over 30% compared to other immune stimulating drugs.

Cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy often suffer from reduced white blood cell counts. This reduction increases the risk of infection in the patient. Echinacea helps protect patients from infection by preserving, stimulating, and activating their white blood cells.

This herb can also be used to treat vaginal yeast infections. A study performed on women with recurrent infections showed that women who used only an anti-yeast cream had a 60% recurrence rate of the infection. In contrast, the women who used both the anti-yeast cream and echinacea had a much lower recurrence rate of only 16%.

Studies also show that this immune stimulant can be used to treat some allergies and may even be a therapeutic agent in diseases like cancer.

The general dosage of echinacea is two capsules three times a day. At the onset of a cold or flu, one can take two capsules every two hours. Since it is possible to build up a resistance to echinacea, many herbalists advise against its continuous use. After taking it for a period of two weeks, give the body a two-week break before taking it again.

Sources:
"Echinacea A Literature Review" by Christopher Hobbs in special supplement to Herbalgram (#30, 1994).
Echinacea Exalted by Steven Foster (Drury, MO: New Life Farm, Inc., 1984).
"Echinacea’s New Found Prominance" by Michael Castleman in The herb Quarterly (Summer 1990).
"Echinacea, The Immunity Herb" by Sally Cullen in Vegetarian Times (November 1990).
Health Through Nutrition by Steven H. Horne (Provo, UT: Tree of Light Inc., 1996).
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pederson (Warsaw, IN: Wendell W. Whitman Co., 1994).
"Phytotherapy Review and Commentary" by Donald J. Brown, ND. In Townsend Letter for Doctors (January 1995).

For Educational Purposes Only
This handout was prepared by Nature’s Field
P.O.Box 425, Springville, UT 84663
It may be copied and distributed provided
It is not altered in any way.