By Laura Jones Miller

*** A Note to Barbara***
This is dedicated to All the Grandmas and Grandpas who where instrumental in the up bringing of many strong and  competentant women, like Barbara… and so many other amazing women out in the world… These women, the women of rural America (and all of the other tough corners of the world)  are all Warrior Women who make life soft and beautiful on this  sometimes hard and complicated planet.      Here’s to Love…Here’s to the beauty of Nature… and,  Here’s to  a strong back my friend!…(I appreciate your support! xox, L)

I  love to watch how birds
Soar on the wind.
There appears to be such
Little effort, yet such joy.
I want to become like a bird
and let my spirit soar
On the winds that are blowing
Through my life.

I will not be crushed against the rocks!
I will sense the rhythm,
The flow, and react accordingly.
I will trust my inner guide.

~ J. Garrett Garrison & S. Sheperd

It seems that the great teachers of ancient India knew a lot about the workings of the human body. Yoga is an ancient discipline. There are a number of exercises that specifically help to improve the functioning of the different endocrine glands. Let us take a look at some yoga poses for endocrine system:

The Sirsha Asana, or headstand, has a direct effect on the pituitary gland. This gland, which is located inside your head, controls the functioning of all the other glands that make up the endocrine system.

The Sarvanga Asana, or shoulder stand, assists  thyroid and parathyroin function. These two glands, which are located in the neck, have a direct impact on the body’s metabolic rate, the process of cellular growth, and the secretion of phosphate and calcium.

The Peacock pose (This one takes a lot of practice and, alot of strength…practice, practice, practice!) or Mayura Asana can help to normalize the functioning of the adrenal and pancreatic glands. This is vital for people suffering from diabetes.

The regular practice of yoga also has a direct impact on the ovaries and testes. This can help to improve sexual health and provide relief from problems arising from a malfunction in these two important reproductive glands. All of these asanas are considered to be advanced postures andrequire patience and practice. Ali had some great tutorials and instruction on these postures.

Pituitary ** The MotherShip Gland!

Hypothalamus

Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Glands
Adrenal Glands
Pineal (Third eye)

Reproductive Glands

Pancreas

Glands are organs that secrete fluids.  There are two types of glands in the body 1. the exocine (regulated by the hypothalamus…they secrete their fluids through ducts such as the mammary, and the salivary glands); and,  2. the endocrine (glands that secrete directly as hormones into the bloodstream). The endocrine glands are involved with almost every body function…so, Ya…you certainly want these glands to remain in tip top shape as they give us the basis for living life to the fullest!

This little pea sized gland (located at the base of the brain)  carries a BIG BANG!   It is often considered the most important part of the endocrine system because it produces hormones that control many functions of other endocrine glands.  When this little gland malfunctions (called hypopituitarism. ) you have some big problems.The pituitary gland is divided into two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are regulated by the hypothalamus:

Growth hormone: Stimulates growth of bone and tissue. It also contols emotional well-being.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone : This hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (A lack of thyroid hormones either because of a defect in the pituitary or the thyroid itself is called hypothyroidism.)
Adrenocorticotropin hormone: This hormone stimulates the adrenal gland to produce several related steroid hormones
Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone: These hormones control sexual function and the production of  estrogen and progesterone in females or testosterone in males
Prolactin: Hormone that stimulates milk production in females
Antidiuretic hormone: Controls water loss by the kidneys
Oxytocin: Contracts the uterus during childbirth and stimulates milk production

Common Symtoms of A Poorly Functioning Glandular System
When the glandular system is functioning poorly you will experience some or all of the following symtoms:  Poor assimilation of nutrients, adrenal and pancreas exhaustion, on going fatigue, and hypoglysemia.
These problems are usually due to mineral deficiency, hypothyroidism, stress, environmental pollutants, excess consumption of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs.

TREATMENTS

Start with a 24 hour watermelon (or cucumber if watermelon isn’t available) detox to rapidly flush and cleanse the body. Then eat a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables, Include a lot of broccoli, potatoes, sprouts, peas, dried fruits, and brown rice (either sprouted or cooked). Eat fresh fruit for breakfast every morning and drink a lot of water. Miso soup sprinkled with mixed sea vegetables is beneficial.  Avoid alcohol, refined foods, canned foods, sugar, and all MSG and preserved foods.

6 Kelp tabs daily, Mullein tea,  yellow dock and sage tea,  burdock tea, barberry tea, high potency Royal Jelly 2 teaspoons daily, *Siberian Ginseng (for men), .
Herbal Therapy for Homones
**For women – Panax ginseng with Damiana, Panax ginseng with Sarsparilla, or Panax ginseng with Dandelion Root, Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg 2 x daily.
*For Men – Siberian ginseng with licorice extract

Stroke the top of the foot , on both feet, for five minutes daily to stimulate endocrine and hormonal secretions. On the bottom of your foot, below the big toe slightly over toward the second toe at the foot pad , thump brickly 6 or more times daily stimulate immune response. Take a 20 minute, (or more) brisk walk each day to furthur stimulate the pressure point pads on the bottom of your feet.
Supplements
Take a Multi-Mineral complex supplement, ester C with a bioflavanoid and rutin, B complex 100mg with B 12 daily, Glutamine 500 mg 4x daily for growth hormone,

Ayurvedic herbal formulas are very effective in treating problems in the endocrine system.
These are some ayurvedic herbs that have properties that support the work of the pituitary gland.

The lovely bark of the evergreen sandalwood tree is used in herbal remedies.  Sandalwood is often used as a remedy for insomnia. The combined  working of the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland are involved in regulating the body’s ability to calm down and sleep. Sandalwood causes a significant physiological change in people, providing a relaxing effect similar to that provided by sleep medication.  Another use for sandalwood  is as an aphrodisiac for women.  It smells amazing and it stimulates the sex hormones…A win, win for sandalwood…It relaxes, promotes sleep, and stimulates sex hormones…all while smelling beautiful!

The chasteberry fruit has the ability to normalize the balance of estrogen and progesterone in women. Improving the levels of progesterone and is very beneficial  during a womans peri-menopause period when menstrual irregularities are common.

This ancient Chinese remedy is often known as a preservitive of youth. The gotu kola herb has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medical traditions. The dried leaves and stems of the gotu kola plant contain active chemicals called triterpenoids.  Gotu Kola  is believed to nourish the brain, which is the seat of the pituitary gland.

Staying healthy , eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is always your best choice for keeping the endocrine/hormone system healthy and functioning well.   Some people let minor or controllable diseases of the endocrine system go untreated. These diseases can develop into problems much larger if untreated or ignored.
It is always  important to eat a healthy and well balanced diet …all the time. Not eating healthy can lead to type II diabetes (an endocrine disorder), and type II diabetes can later lead to blindness and kidney failure (a serious endocrine disorder).You can often prevent an endocrine disorder, like type 2 diabetes, through lifestyle changes.
Minimize stress in your life. Having a lot of stress in your life can cause the overproduction of hormones. This can lead to the failure or malfunction of many endocrine organs. It is recommended that you get plenty of exercise. Allow six to eight hours of sleep per night in order to reduce stress and keep hormones balanced.

All of the information provided, along with a healthy dose of common sense will help you live a healthy, fulfilling life.  You  have the key to controlling how well and how happy you live your live.  You are in charge…so, take good care of you.