Inflammation; a Protective Mechanism

Even though inflammation is a normal and helpful process that the body uses to protect itself, long term inflammation can lead to serious disease of aging. Inflammation is a localized response of the body that is triggered by microbial invasion or tissue damage. It is a normal response that the body uses to protect itself and keep infection local rather than systemic. However, recently there is building evidence indicating that it has a big role in the aging process.

The four key characteristics of inflammation are redness, pain, heat and swelling. Although it is not something we enjoy the body uses inflammation to prevent a potential infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Inflammation is localized which means it occurs in the tissues and not in the blood. It involves chemical messengers of the body called cytokines that are released by the immune system. Many cytokines are involved in growth and regulation of immune cells. Some of these cytokines include tumor necrosis factor- α and interleukin-6.

The typical inflammatory response is acute (rapid and short onset) and meant to protect the body from microbial pathogens and promote tissue repair to return to normal (homeostasis). However, it is chronic long term inflammation that is tied to the aging process and may even be linked to diseases such as atherosclerosis, dementia and cancer as well as skin damage and wrinkles.

The stages of inflammation are vasodilation, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and tissue repair. Vasodilation refers to an increase in the diameter of the blood vessels and an increase in their  permeability. Increased permeability allows the blood proteins and whit blood cells to leak out of the blood and into the inflamed tissue. It is this response that begins the symptoms of heat, redness and swelling. Because there is now more heat, metabolism is increased. This response is caused primarily by histamine, a protein released from basophils in the local area that is damaged.

Phagocytosis is a wonderful word that means ‘cell eating’.  Cells that are transformed into phagocytes actually engulf particles including bacteria, cellular debris and foreign articles that enter the tissue. Enzymes in the phagocyte then dissolve this debris. This is a way of cleaning up an area.

Chemotaxis refers to the movement or migration of cells, typically phagocytes, towards the area of inflammation. This occurs because of attractive factors secreted by bacteria and injured tissues. These white blood cells squeeze their way through the capillaries into the tissues through an ameboid like movement called diapedisis. Here is a picture of diapedesis http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/diapedesis

The fourth and final stage of inflammation is tissue repair. Once the danger of infection is over, cell division takes place to repair damaged tissue. This is done locally through the secretion of growth factors. Providing these steps occur successfully, the process if ended. If inflammation is not successful in preventing spread of bacteria, the immune system will then be activated.

Marian Flowers (Flowers for Mary)

In Catholic tradition the month of May is dedicated to Mary and she is called Queen of May. Devotion to Mary the Mother of God is a long honored tradition and in May is recognized by ceremonies where crown is put on the statue of Mary and various flowers are also given to her. Some people take devotion to Mary one step farther and dedicate a garden to her.

Mary’s gardens used to be quite popular and now they are tending to make a comeback. Christianity is rich in using symbols to enhance spiritual life, and honoring Mary by reflecting on flowers named after her and the legends associated with these flowers are one example. In Christianity, Mary, the Mother of God is also refered to as Immaculate Mary, the Virgin Mary, Mother Mary, blessed Virgin, Our Lady and more. Her attributes include being a strong woman with wisdom, faith, vision and holiness. She was a spiritual leader to Jeasus and a source of inspiration.

I’ve chosen a few of the plants and legends here.

The rose is probably the flower most strongly associated with Mary. Catholics believe that Mary was assumed into heaven without suffering death. It is said that  when she was assumed, lilies and roses were found in her tomb. Catholic prayer beads on which ‘Hail Mary’s’ are prayed, are called a Rosary and at one time were actually made from rose petals. Rose gardens are often places of meditation and honor to Mary. These rose gardens were also called rosaries in the middle ages.

Violet

It is said that when the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary of God’s plan for her that violets blossomed outside her window when she accepted God’s plan. And that the angel Gabriel blessed the flowers endowing them with their fragrance. Violets are associated with Mary because they have long been a symbol of humility and simplicity. They have a modest way in which the flowers nestle among the leaves and grow low to the ground. It is said that the violet dropped its head in the shadow of the crucifix.

Our Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

These are both said to be some of  the sweet smelling herbs that made both Jesus’ and Mary’s bed in the stable in Bethlehem and when Jesus was laid in the manger after his birth the flowers began to bloom.

Blessed Thistle, Our Lady’s Thistle (Silyum marianum and others)

The blessed thistle is recognized by the white veins on the leaves which were said to be formed from drops of milk from Mary’s breast.

Rosemary, St. Mary’s Tree (Rosemarinus officinalis)

When the Holy Family fled from Herod into Egypt, rosemary was one of the bushes that gave shelter to them. It is said tht when Mary hung her cape on the rosemary bush it’s flowers turned from white to blue and became forever green and aromatic.

A Mary’s Garden often recalls the life or physical attributes of Mary. For instance a booklet from one Mary’s Garden reads: "Picture her eyes (Forget-Me-Nots), her hair (Maidenhair Fem), her five fingers (Potentilla). Think about her apparel: her smock (Morning Glory), her veil (Baby's Breath), her nightcap (Canterbury Bells), her gloves (Foxglove), and her shoes (Columbine). Remember her attributes: Mary's humility (Violet), the fruitful virgin (Strawberry), Mary's queenship (Virgin Lily), Mary's Flower of God (English Daisy), Mary's glory (Saint John's Wort), and Our Lady's Faith (Veronica).

Think about her life: The Bethlehem Star (Bellflower), the Christmas Flower (Poinsettia), Lady's Bedstraw (Dianthus - Mary used bedstraw to prepare a bed for Jesus), the Epiphany flower (Chrysanthemum), the Flight into Egypt (Fig Tree - legend says that the Holy Family ate the fruit of this tree during their flight into Egypt), Our Lady's Tears (Lily of the Valley - tiny white nodding bell-shaped flowers can be likened to a train of tears), Our Lady's Tresses (Asparagus Fern - legend holds that at the foot of the cross, Mary, in. deep agony, tore out a tress of her hair which Saint John preserved), Mary's Bitter Sorrow (Dandelion), and the Assumption (Hosta - Plantation Lily blooms at the time of the Feast of the Assumption)."

Here are some common names of flowers and their medieval name and religious meaning

Carnation – Mary’s Love of God. They were said to bloom at the birth of Jesus.

Calendula officinalis – Mary’s Gold

Rose – Mary is often called “The Mystical Rose”

     White:  Mary's Purity
     Red: Mary's Sorrow and the Blood of Christ. Also martyrdom.
     Gold: Mary's Glory

     Red and White: Visitation

Strawberry – Fruitful Virgin

Sunflower – Mary’s Gold

Sweet Pea – Our lady’s Flower

Tulip – Mary’s Prayer          

Violet - Our Lady’s Modesty

Herbs

Parsley – our lady’s little vine

Sage – Mary’s shawl

Rosemary – Marys nosegay

Thyme – Mary’s humility

Chives – Our Lady’s garland

Marjoram – Mary’s bedstraw

Fennel – Our Lady’s fennel

Feverfew – Santa Maria

Chamomile – maiden week, Lady’s flower

Will you plant a Mary's Garden and if so, what will you plant?