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