Inflammation: The Root and Response
Inflammation. What is that exactly? We know what flames are and how they can burn us but can also be useful for cooking food and heating us up around a camp fire, right? Flames are a physical form of energy which gives off heat, which is a form of inflammation. Similarly, to flames, inflammation can be good and serve a purpose or it can be dangerous.
Our bodies need inflammation. Think to a time when you cut your finger or scratched your knee or experience another type of injury. After the initial injury, what happened? If the skin barrier is damaged the wound will bleed, which brings necessary immune components to the site, and the cut or injured tissue will begin to swell. Even if no bleeding occurs, swelling likely did. As the swelling continues the area becomes red. This swelling and redness is inflammation.
This is an important part of our bodies’ healing functions. It’s vital! However, when the inflammation continues day in and day out, and it isn’t because of an injury, rather, the body is just staying inflamed it is very dangerous.
Temporary inflammation brings the power of the immune system to an area that needs healing. Regular, long-term inflamed tissues brings destruction and eventual disease to the body.
Now that we know what inflammation is and why we need it but shouldn’t keep it around long, let’s talk about some causes of this inflammatory state.
Some reasons a person is inflamed include poor sleep quality, toxic overload, poor food choices, food sensitivities, over exertion, lack of physical movement, poor digestive function, bacterial imbalances, and even emotional health. There are many other causes of inflammation in the body, but the ones I have listed are the ones I have either helped clients through or dealt with in my own healing journey.
Toxins in our world are a big problem and they can’t be avoided despite our best efforts. It’s important to minimize our exposure, so using natural-based products without the harsh chemicals is important, yet we can’t avoid all the possible toxic exposure because our homes, cars, places of employment, water, food, and more are soaked in these toxins.
Did you get a new outfit or pair of shoes recently? They have chemicals in them that leach through your skin and get into your bloodstream. How about a new piece of furniture or rug? It’s off-gassing toxins that you then breathe in.
To address this you need to mindful of detoxifying your body regularly. It’s an important step in helping to reduce inflammation and support optimal function.
A simple detoxification practice that most people can do safely is a hot bath with Epsom salts and baking soda. The hot water helps you sweat, which one way that we release toxins, and the Epsom salts has an anti-inflammatory effect help relax muscles while baking soda helps detoxify the skin.
Just add 1 cup Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda to a warm bath (not hot, you don’t want to burn your skin) and relax in it for 20-30 minutes. You can add a little lavender essential oil if you wish, but it isn’t required. Rinse off in a warm shower to help remove any residue when you are finished.
A detox bath once or twice a month is a great part of keeping your body healthy and minimize your toxic load.
