The Nervous System

Introduction:

This system affects both our emotional and physical well being. Without feeding and sustaining it with a positive lifestyle and nutritious foods, we can feel stressed and emotionally unstable, and exhibit a range of ill-health patterns, from epilepsy, shingles, insomnia, hyperactivity and poor memory to learning problems.

There are two principal divisions of the nervous system:

Our nervous system is similar to the electricity network of our homes, our nerve fluid acting like the electric current.

When the nerve endings get worn down and the protective covering is no longer in place, these naked nerve endings spark and leap like live wires, and we feel as frazzled as they look.

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Nutritional Advice:

Nerve foods that actually repair and feed the nervous system are non-active yeast flakes, spirulina, essential fatty acids, whole-grains, particularly organic oats and wheat germs, which are very rich in Vitamin B. Vitamin B is vital because the immune system 'eats up' the acetycholine receptors which are neurotransmitters and the B vitamins are able to remake them. Spirulina and non-active yeast flakes enter the bloodstream very quickly and need little to no digestion. Soya foods naturally containing lecithin, which is an excellent nerve building food, will also help. Celery, courgettes, avocados, lettuce, carrots, and pumpkin are supreme nerve foods and can be juiced, steamed or used raw in salads. Almonds and sesame seeds are rich in calcium and will feed the nervous system. Kitchen herbs and spices such as mint, rose petals, marjoram, rosemary, basil and aniseed will also help.

Daily Nerve Food Suggestions would include: 1½ litres of carrot juice, avocado, cos lettuce soup, 2 cups of soaked oats with 12 almonds, 1 tbsp sesame seeds and ½ tbsp wheat germ with added cinnamon powder, honey, pollen grains and lemon juice to flavour.

Vitamins and minerals connected to the well being of the nervous system are calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, all B vitamins and vitamin D, magnesium and chloride.

Foods rich in phosphorus, so vital as a partner to calcium for bone and teeth formation, are cabbage, bilberries and pumpkin seeds.

Avoid tea and alcohol as it stops thiamin (a B vitamin) assimilation that is vital for the nervous system.

Drink plenty of water as it helps the body in many ways, not least the correct functioning of the entire nervous system. It greatly helps elimination on all levels.

Remember that a freely functioning body is one that is not congested, overheated and inoperative.

Natural Healing:

Rest is vitally important for the nervous system and this comes best of all in the form of sleep. Going to bed early enough improves the quality of sleep; indeed sleep taken between the hours of 10pm and 2am is reckoned to actually double its value in terms of quality. For those who have difficulty sleeping, try barefoot walking. Meditation will repair, calm and bring peace to the day, so give this simple practice daily time if you can. Just sitting under a tree concentrating on or being aware of your breathing for 10 minutes has a tremendous impact. Those who travel, work and generally lead a high intensity life need to guard their resources and prevent burning the candle at both ends; catnapping can help to achieve this. For those with insomnia, it is important to use hydrotherapy and other natural healing routines, including internal cleansing, in order to stimulate the body and thereafter produce sleep. This is especially wise if you rely on sleeping tablets and could well help you finally to do without them. In today’s fast paced world repairing and energising the nervous system is crucial. Plants are very capable of engaging with cell receptors in the body and altering, opening or blocking as needed to help sedate, reduce inflammation, reduce pain, relax, rebuild, restore and energise as needed. The use of herbal nervines is infinite. From painful and irritable bowel syndromes and menstrual tension not to mention chronic headaches, ‘nervy’ behaviour and restlessness. Our nerves are dependent on blood and circulation for proper function, therefore maintain a good blood supply via exercise and hot and cold showers.Saunas and cold showers create a beautifully relaxed state.

Skin brushing will stimulate the nerve endings and is a great rejuvenator, especially to those who are low, depressed and sluggish.
Creativity through, for example, dancing, painting, singing or writing are all important expressions of our emotions, and the nervous system will thrive when pursuing them with pleasure and in a relaxed manner.

Excessive electrical charge can build up in the body during the course of each day if we live predominantly on concrete and are constantly exposed to synthetic materials such as nylon carpets, man-made shoes, and so on. The cure for this is to ground and earth ourselves, just as all electrical systems need to be earthed. The famous remedy of walking barefoot when feeling hyper-nervy, unable to sleep or 'nerved-out' really does work and many a patient has found relief and benefit by a bare-footed night foray in the garden!