The Human Ecosystem
An Integrated Approach to Human Structure, Function and Dysfunction for Students of Natural Medicine
A quintessential textbook which connects the different functions, systems and interactions of the human body as whole and emphasises the importance reconnecting human health with nature
Human structure, function and dysfunction is commonly taught under the headings of anatomy, physiology (including biochemistry and pharmacology), and pathology.
Whilst these divisions seem logical, the drawback is that they encourage us to consider parts of the body in isolation. Organs and tissues are divided into “systems” for ease of description, but relatively little time is spent learning how body systems relate to one another and to the wider world.
The result is a sense of disconnection between the body and the environment as a whole, and this in turn makes it for us hard to assimilate the impact of more recent knowledge - such as that we have several functioning “brains” capable of remembering things and taking decisions in different parts of the body in addition to our “normal” brain; or that our microbiomes - made up of cells that are not genetically part of us - can have a massive impact on health, and on the way we function.
An ecosystem consists of all the living components of a system and the physical environments with which they interact. Its components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Things are not separated into discrete systems - everything is a symphony of interaction, feedback and adjustment.
The Human Ecosystem explores the fundamental processes and interactions that maintain health and enable us to recover from illness. It considers human structure and function based on an understanding that human beings are complex, intelligent, adaptive, self-healing, networked ecosystems in which information is transferred and acted upon at incredible speed.
Above all, it presents us as part of the wider ecosystem, interdependent with Nature and all living things for our health and survival.
Nic Rowley, MA, PGCE, MRCS, LRCP, BAc, trained in medicine at Cambridge University and the Royal Free Hospital, and has practised as an holistic doctor in the UK, France and Denmark. He is a past Dean of Studies at the School of Herbal medicine and past vice-principal of the European School of Osteopathy, and author of 'Hands On, a Manual of Clinical Skills' and also of 'Basic Clinical Science' (both originally published by Hodder and Stoughton). Nic is an experienced teacher and lecturer, and holds a PGCE from the Institute of Education in the University of London. He has given workshops and seminars at Diploma, Higher Diploma, Degree and Master's levels for The University of Surrey, The University of Chichester, and many colleges of alternative and complementary medicine, and has also been a consultant to a wide range of institutions on course development and degree validation at Bachelor and Masters level. He has comprehensive experience of curriculum design, and of representing institutions at successful validation events (with the Universities of Surrey, Wales, Glasgow, Middlesex, Greenwich and Chichester). He also served for some years as an assessor for the University of Wales' external degree validation panel, and was involved in validation events for a variety of UK and European institutions. He has written a number of self-help health books, and has contributed articles to various journals in the UK and Denmark.
Kirsten Hartvig ND, MNIMH, DipPhyt trained at the School of Herbal Medicine, Tunbridge Wells, and the College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in London. She is an acclaimed nutritionist, medical herbalist, and registered naturopath practising in The Rachel Carson Centre, Emerson College. Kirsten is director of the Healing Garden, a biodynamic garden with over 400 species of medicinal plants. It is part of the Biodynamic Botanic Garden at Emerson College. She is the author of 14 books on natural health and writes columns and articles for various newsletters and magazines. Kirsten teaches Nature Cure diploma courses onsite and online with Dr Nic Rowley, and she leads monthly herb walks and workshops on natural health and herbal medicine. Kirsten also teaches at the Nordic College of Natural Medicine in Denmark, where she was a government advisor on herbal medicine and part of the Danish Health Authority’s Council for Alternative Medicine. Kirsten has taught nutrition and dietetics at the European School of Osteopathy and the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine Master’s degree course, and materia medica on the Heartwood Professional Course.
Kirsten developed the YouTube channel Herb Hunters, and the Herbal Medicine Show on UK Health Radio. She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and past president of the General Council and Register of Naturopaths.
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