Acute Healing
Inflammation is the body’s innate way of providing acute healing to an area the body. When it persists on a low level throughout the body, it can do much more harm than good.
Chronic inflammation can create many symptoms such as – allergies, skin rashes, pain, insomnia, migraines, food allergies.
Also it sets the stage for many serious age-related diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, neuro-degenerative diseases, heart disease, and cancer.
Stress and Inflammation
When a person is exposed to prolonged stress, the sympathetic nervous system produces cortisol to meet the demand. This creates an inflammatory response and elevated cortisol levels spark inflammatory reactions that diminish immune system function.
A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University’s Sheldon Cohen has found that chronic psychological stress is associated with the body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research shows for the first time that the effects of psychological stress on the body’s ability to regulate inflammation, can promote the development and progression of disease. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/03/26/1118355109
Cohen found that experiencing a prolonged stressful event was associated with the inability of immune cells to respond to hormonal signals that normally regulate inflammation.
It has also been found that neuropeptides in the Immune system that mediate stress also mediate inflammation. Immuno-neuropeptides may be involved in underlying processes in the development of, and the responses to, acute and chronic inflammation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226971601_Neuropeptides_in_the_Immune_System_Mediators_of_Stress_and_Inflammation
Lymphatic System and Inflammation
When the lymphatic system is compromised, chronic inflammation occurs.
The lymphatic system is responsible to eliminating wastes and can be described as the garbage system of the body. When the lymphatic system does not function effectively inflammation and stagnation occur. Lymph stagnation is the result of a poor diet, poor elimination, stress, fatigue and overwork
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a gently rhythmical massage performed by a trained lymph therapist to detoxify and cleanse the connective tissue. This therapy flushes toxins and inflammatory wastes from the tissues.
MLD can help to reduce inflammation of the tissues, by reducing the inflammatory cytokines. MLD also has an effect on the reducing stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system.
Your gut and inflammation
70% of your lymph is concentrated in your gut. If you eat a diet high in sugar, gluten, refined and transfats, and processed foods, your lymphatic system can become overburdened.
Inflammation results and you can experience swelling in your abdomen or other areas of your body. It is important to avoid these foods to have a health microbiome.
Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to create and maintain balance and well-being of the body, mind and spirit.
Essential oils and Inflammation
Essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds that are extracted from the roots, leaves, stems, flowers or fruits of plants or trees. They have an effect on the physical body or the emotions via the limbic system if the body.
• Essential oils of Helicrysum (Helichrysum italicum), will help with musculoskeletal inflammation
• German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has anti-inflammatory properties on the skin.
• Lavender (Lavendula Officianilis and Ginger (Zingiber officinale are essential oil that are good for inflammation and swelling from joint pain.
• Frankincense( Boswellia carterii ) has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties for joint pain
• Essential oil of Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can be made into a mouth wash to help relieve inflammation of the mouth and gums caused by diseases such as gingivitis and mouth ulcers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21043801
– About Linda Anne Kahn
Linda Anne Kahn NCTMB, CLT-LANA, CMT, CHNC Is a Clinical aromatherapist with over 30 years of experience. She is an Internationally trained Beauty Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Lymphedema Therapist.
She is the founder and president of Beauty Kliniek Aromatherapy Day Spa and Lymphatic Therapy Services in San Diego.
She continues her longstanding mission and philosophy of a Holistic approach to treat all facets of a person’s well-being for optimum health.
She stresses the emotional, mental, physical connection to bring about relaxation, health, energy and happiness to help her clients, staff and patients.