Main description:

The human microbiome and its resident micro-organisms have in recent years come to represent a new frontier in health research and science. Yet this body of knowledge has hitherto been little addressed within Oriental Medicine theory and has consequently been underutilised in practice.
The book proposes a novel and ground-breaking approach to understanding and influencing gut health and the microbiome by integrating the latest evidence from Western medical research and the long-established theory and practice of Oriental medicine. Building on an understanding of the body as a complete ecosystem where symbiotic relationships maintain balance in both mind and body, this integrative model sheds new light on an area that has seen rapidly growing interest both in and out of scientific communities, providing a more holistic and comprehensive perspective that both unites and broadens the potential applications of microbiome knowledge across medical and therapeutic traditions.
The book's focus on the microbiome of the gastro-intestinal tract allows to explore the far-reaching and wide-ranging effects of the gut's micro-organisms on other body systems, on their ability to maintain good physical and mental health, and to fight disease and illness. This emphasis further provides readers with a practical guide to understanding and supporting a well-functioning gut and microbiome, through lifestyle choices and practices that focus on eating well, sleep hygiene, and mindful living.
The booming interest in the area of gut health makes this compelling, accessible and informative hands-on book, an important tool for patients and practitioners of Oriental medicine and other relevant disciplines, offering readers a unique opportunity to add a new dimension to their knowledge of gut health. It will allow practitioners to deepen their professional development and enhance the quality of the care they provide by honing therapeutic skills and creating hybrid treatment plans that combine the latest findings from the gut-health literature and Oriental medicine.

Contents:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments. 6
Preface.. 7
INTRODUCTION.. 11
CHAPTER ONE - THE MAKING OF THE MICROBIOME.. 19
Microbial Omnipresence. 20
'Not Built in A Day'23
Widening the Net. 24
A Mind-Body System.. 26
Environmental Issues. 29
Defining The Balance. 34
A Field of New Possibilities. 36
CHAPTER TWO - BRINGING THE MICROBIOME HOME.. 38
Finding the Microbiome in Acupuncture Theory. 40
Yin-Yang. 41
San-Jiao and Mingmen Dantian. 43
Jing. 46
Outside Influences. 47
Disease. 49
Elemental Imbalance. 51
Food, Nutrition and Diet53
Conclusion: A Perfect Union. 56
CHAPTER THREE - THE GUT AND ITS AXES OF HEALTH.. 59
The GI Tract in Oriental Medicine. 60
Mapping The Connections. 62
The Gut-Brain Axis. 66
The Gut-Lung Axis. 71
Conclusion: The Parts That Make the Whole. 76
CHAPTER FOUR - FOOD ENERGETICS AND THE MICROBIOME.. 77
The Energetics of Foods. 77
Dampness. 78
Diagnosing Dampness for Microbiome Health. 81
Wider Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations. 84
Eating Patterns. 84
Movement86
Uniqueness. 87
The Fiber Mantra. 88
Fermented Foods. 92
Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance. 95
CHAPTER FIVE - FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND PRACTICE.. 97
Elemental Nutrition. 97
Getting Started. 99
How Everyday Recipes Nourish the Balance. 101
Building The Foundations: Kefir-Bircher. 101
The Path to Growth: Sourdough. 104
Feeding The Fire: Summer Tabouleh. 107
Nourishing the Earth: Seasonal Soups. 109
The Lightness of Breathing: Baked Tofu and Vegetable Rice Bowl110
Conclusion: The Way to Symbiosis. 112
CHAPTER SIX - THE PATH TO HARMONY: THE MICROBIOME WAY.. 113
The Microbiome Way. 113
Practice no. 1. Cultivating the Self115
Practice no.2: Sleeping Soundly. 118
Practice no.3: Eating Well121
Practice no. 4 - Synchronizing with Natural Rhythms. 125
Practice no. 5 - Conscious Living. 127
Conclusion: A Shared Path. 130
CONCLUSION.. 132
APPENDIX A.. 135
Elemental Guide to Selected Microbiome Beneficial Foods. 135
Earth. 135
Metal136
Water. 137
Wood. 138
Fire. 139
APPENDIX B.. 141
Chinese Medicine's Body Clock. 141
REFERENCES. 145
FURTHER READING.. 162