In the dead of winter about 10 years ago I went through a number of emotionally trying situations all taking place within a relatively short period of time.  My wife tried unsuccessfully to console me.  It was a difficult time.  We just had a number of things happen in our church that were emotionally painful.  Even though logically I could analyze what had happened yet emotions tend to override all logic.  These incidents resulted in about two months of illness including high fever, swollen tonsils, sinusitis, and abdominal issues culminating into Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

The spirit, mind, body connection is so evident to me as I live my life but it was not so evident back in those days.  When we face emotional stress such as dealing with a difficult person, being fired, losing a job, or an environment of constant conflict this eventually results in different forms of illnesses.  Some of these illnesses are acute and some are chronic, possibly not showing up until months or years later.

Is there a solution?  Is there hope?  Absolutely yes!  I remember one time talking with my holistic health care provider and asking him if there was hope for me.  He smiled reassuringly and told me that I was going to be healthy and not to concern myself over it.  There is hope for you!

Immune System

The immune system is quite complex and to fully explain it here would be impossible.  However, I will attempt to give you some key components so that you can understand some of its basics.

The immune system works from the bone marrow all the way to the outer layer of the skin.  Even though the following organs and tissues have other purposes, yet the immune system is supported and operates from these:

Thymus

The Thymus is located under the breastbone and is at its peak during adolescence.

Bone Marrow

Produces lymphocytes—T-cells and B-cells and sends them through the lymphatic system to secondary organs.

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system runs throughout the entire body and consists of nodes.  Many of these are in the chest, neck and head.  They are connected to our organs, in particular the spleen, tonsils and thymus.

Intestines

Here is where many white blood cells reside and are tagged for “specific service”.  When our intestines do not function well our immune system loses its potency. Intestines are particularly vulnerable to disturbing emotions.

Spleen

The spleen is found in the left upper quadrant of our abdomen. Its function primarily is to remove old red blood cells and to hold a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock. The spleen also synthesizes antibodies and removes certain kinds of bacteria through blood and lymph node circulation.

Tonsils

We have two tonsils, one located on each side of the back of the throat.  Tonsils are part of the Lymphatic system and are said to tag white blood cells for certain tasks.  Tonsils are the first line of defence.

Liver

The liver is located mostly on the right side of the body and primarily sits under the ribs though it does extrudes beyond that.  The liver a multi-functioned organ which directly and indirectly effects our immune system.  The liver is a mediator of systemic and local innate immune regulation.

Appendix

What was once considered a useless appendage in our body now is showing its value in helping to maintain a healthy immune system.  Some new research indicates that the appendix harbors and protects bacteria (probiotics) that are beneficial in the function of the colon.

Emotional Stress and Illness

Unfortunately mainline medicine (allopathy) treats primarily the symptoms that arise in our bodies.  But, there are many physicians who are now asserting that between 80-95% of all ailments reported by patients are the result of unresolved emotional issues, grudges, and emotional stressors.  Natural health care practitioners are trained to treat the cause rather than the symptom.

In an earlier blog I wrote about how the spirit affects the mind and body, the mind effects the spirit and the body.  In the end the body is affected and will eventually “kick back”!  According to biblical teaching all physical illness is the result of spiritual ailment(s).  When we are spiritually, mentally, emotionally ill we eventually become physically ill.  In acute cases we may suddenly get a virus, or some infection due to an emotional shock or overload of some kind.  In chronic disease cases this is due to long held unresolved emotional issues.

In the beginning of this article I wanted to point out that emotional stress could cause sickness in our body because our emotions either support healthy immune function or they shut it down.  If we are in a constant state of hyper vigilance (fight or flight) we will unconsciously be constantly suppressing our immune functions and after awhile this will develop into serious illness(es).

Wisdom Factors

I could give you a list of things to do, but there are hundreds of such lists on the Internet and in books.  Instead I have a few thoughts to share with you.

It is also important to consider other things such as environmental stressors on our immune system of which we need to be aware so that we can support our body’s health.  Such things as wearing suitable clothing when it’s too hot or too cold, drinking clean water, eating properly, exercising, taking proper supplements, etc.

A big mistake I used to make was that I could figure it all out myself, or I could do it all myself and save the money!  But, I have discovered that being your own mentor, coach, therapist, physician, or spiritual leader is a disaster in the making!  By relying on other qualified people’s help I have saved money, aggravation, time and as a result have gotten light years ahead in self-improvement and empowerment.  Investing in yourself should be top priority.  Besides, if you won’t nobody will do it for you!  Remember, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”  Loving and supporting yourself will put you in a healthier position to love others more appropriately.

For a quick questionnaire online to help determine your level of emotional stress go to:  http://www.carolespiersgroup.co.uk/questionnaire.html

For consultation or therapeutic help you can contact me at (905) 633-7410.

Recently I underwent a liver and gallbladder detox and flush, actually it was the second one this year and the third one I have ever done.  I found that my digestion improved, my mind became clearer, I felt calmer, and more optimistic.  I did this because of my discovery of how the liver holds the key to your mental and physical health in many ways – at least according to traditional Chinese medicine.

According to traditional Chinese medicine each particular organ in our body holds and evokes specific emotions.  Here’s a brief run down of what that looks like:

• Liver – anger, resentment, frustration, irritability, rage, bitterness
• Lungs – sadness and grief and detached
• Kidneys – fear, poor willpower, insecurity, aloof and isolated
• Spleen – worry, obsessive thinking (over thinking)
• Heart – excitement, shock

The mind affects and effects the body and the body the mind, without healthy interventions the spiral is in a downward motion and we don’t want that.  To support both body and mind is essentially important to our emotional wellbeing, which in turn fosters a life full of vitality that’s worth living.

Here’s another questions worth exploring.  How does each organ effect the brain according to traditional Chinese medicine?

Kidneys

Preservation of the brain from defects and deterioration (Alzheimer’s, etc.) is the job of the kidneys.  Therefore, deterioration and defects of the brain may be halted and possibly reversed if the kidneys are supported and go through a cleansing along with biotherapeutic drainage.

Heart

According to traditional Chinese medicine the heart is said to regulate the cognitive functions of the brain.  The heart regulates the brain’s activities, where the kidneys provide the substance.

Lungs

Lungs have to do with clarity of thought and being emotionally in the present moment, if you will, … connected to the here and now.  Without proper oxygen flow brain function can be slowed and/or impaired, amongst other things.  Oxygen is a key component to a healthy brain.

Spleen

The spleen is said to regulate blood flow and support tonality.  It plays an important role in digestion and phlegm regulation.  An unhealthy spleen will cause phlegm to be excessive and blood flow to be poor thus inhibiting the brain’s ability to function normally.

Liver

The liver is a 4 lobed organ, which performs 1,000’s of different operations and functions daily.  It aids in digestion, including bile flow, detoxification, purification, excretion of nutrients, conjugates hormones (emotional connection), amongst many other detailed operations and functions.  When the liver is burdened with toxins it will create an imbalance resulting in brain imbalance, primarily in various forms of depression.

Where should I start?

Generally speaking the liver should be addressed first, unless of course there are other pressing issues that need attention.  The reason the liver is the first place to start is because of its multifunctionality as an organ.  Detoxifying the liver will inevitably effect and affect all other organs of the body including the brain.  Detoxifying the liver and flushing the gallbladder is essential to all other organ health.  Remember the primary route of excretion out of our body is the liver via the intestines.

The liver needs detoxification not cleansing.  This process can involve months or years.  In our civilized society each person contains around 250 toxic substances in their liver, which can include heavy metals.  Detoxification takes time and patience.  We don’t want to hear this in an instant gratification, microwave, fast-food world!

Detoxifying the liver and flushing the gallbladder takes time.  It is recommended that detoxifying and flushing should be done quarterly in the first year and then in each subsequent year in the fall and spring of each year to maintain liver and gallbladder health.

Here’s the general process:

1. A diet rich in vegetables (mainly raw)
2. A rich protein diet
3. Eliminate sugars – products containing: sugar, flour, and white rice
4. Exercise regularly about 4-5 times per week to the point where you perspire
5. Sleep before midnight (where possible)
6. Regularly practice relaxation (prayer, meditation, practices of gratitude, etc)
7. Forgive and let go of resentments
8. Begin or continue eliminating toxic emotions preferably with a qualified mental health practitioner using bottom up processing methods such as EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques
9. Begin biotherapeutic drainage of the liver (qualified natural health practitioner will administer this)
10. Chinese herbal medicines (for those that are able to take them)
11. After approximately 7 weeks a 3 day flush can be performed and then the procedure can be repeated 1-2 months later if needed

Through my personal journey I can assure you this is one of the key things that we can do for our own spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.  An increase in faith, peace, cognitive abilities, digestive function improvements, more energy, etc can be the result of a liver detox and gallbladder flush.

Usually one detox isn’t enough, especially if you are older than 10 years of age!  In our modernized world a child can have an overburdened toxic liver by the age of 10 or even earlier.

Below is a quick questionnaire that can help you determine how toxic your liver may be:

1. Is there any stiffness, tightness, soreness in your right shoulder?
2. Are you irritable or stressed?
3. Do you have fuzzy or foggy vision?
4. Any headaches?
5. Do you have poor concentration or focus?
6. Are your eyes itchy, irritated, red, or dry?
7. Is your sleep restless and/or have insomnia?
8. Are you irritated by people, lack patience, and/or fed up with them?
9. Do you have any hot flashes?
10. Do you drink alcohol, eat processed food, or sweets?
11. Do you have itchiness or a constant itch?
12. Mixed up, confused, unclear thinking?
13. Do you have any overwhelming moods or feelings?
14. Are you ready to explode or wound up?
15. Do you have any gallbladder pain or issues?
16. Do you regularly get congested in your chest, nose, runny nose, or sinus issues?
17. Do you have acne, boils, rashes, or other skin breakouts?
18. Do you have dry, burning, irritated, cracked, flaky, or itchy skin issues?
19. Did you feel bothered by any of these questions?

Count the number of times you answered yes to the above questions.

0-1  doing well

2-6 professional help is recommended

7-19 you have serious problems and need to see a professional

Much more can be said about this subject but this should get you started in your journey towards happiness and wholeness.

For consultation or therapeutic help you can contact me at (905) 633-7410.