The immune system is what recognizes and protects your body from bacteria and viruses. By knowing the important cells that make up your body, the immune system is able to eliminate anything unfamiliar.
As a mom, I am always looking for ways to explain health topics to my kids in very basic and understandable ways. I explain the immune system to them as tiny little soldiers in our bodies that are on patrol all the time to help keep us healthy.
The immune system is a very complex network of tissues, organs, and cells. White blood cells are a crucial part to this network as they are the key “soldiers” that are tasked with locating and removing the bad bacteria and viruses. These white blood cells, also known as leukocytes or leucocytes, along with proteins in the bloodstream, can ingest and kill bacteria and other disease causing organisms and substances and eliminate them from the body.
The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. They are tiny bean sized systems that produce and store these cells that fight the infections and diseases. Have you ever noticed your lymph nodes to be abnormally swollen? Well, your body is producing and storing little fighters that is about to send out to fight off an infection. This is one of the first things I check on my kids when they are saying they aren’t feeling well. I want to know if the body is responding to the illness. It’s easy to check, you just need to put a few fingers behind yours or your childs ears and follow a line down to below the jaw, and that is where these little cells are teaming up for battle.
The toxins and viruses are flushed out of the body through the kidneys, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, skin and intestines. Going to the bathroom, sweating, and even breathing are great ways to cleanse the body of these foreign invaders that the immune system has isolated for elimination! So one very basic way to support this entire process is to drink a lot of water very regularly! When you drink a lot of water it flushes through the body and leaves the body in multiple ways.
That is a very basic overview of the immune system, but without the immune system we are left completely vulnerable to all the germs and bacteria that we face on a daily basis and we are also left helpless to the viruses and diseases that have already made their way into our bodies! So one of the very best things we can do for life long health is to support this extremely complex network within our bodies.
There are plenty of easy and natural ways to support the immune system! I did a post on 3 Tips to Prepare for Cold & Flu Season and map out some basic ways to help your body support and build its defenses for all the bacteria and germs thrown at it on a daily basis! I definitely recommend some of my blends like Breathe Deep, Throat Soothe, and Immune Support for a first line of defense when you feel some congestion, scratchy throat, or other illness setting in.
I hope this post has helped you with some basic understanding as to how this complex system works! Join me back here on the blog to see regular posts on natural health and wellness and how tea can be such an amazing part of your routine!
Stay healthy,
Abby (Leaf Logic founder & owner)