The course will examine and study the philosophy, principles and multidimensional (holistic) nonwestern approaches to health and wellbeing, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Native American healing practices as well as others, for overall health and well-being. An overview of herbs and other botanicals, flower essences, and essential oils will be included, and emphasis will be placed on practices for the prevention and mitigation of infection and disease. The prevention and management of the inflammatory response relative to disease development will be emphasized and explored. Dietary practices, positive stress management, physical, mental, and spiritual activities, community and social involvement and support, sleep and rest, and the minimal use of tobacco or other risky substances will be studied in each of these cultures, with special attention to how these habits and behaviors help prevent many of the chronic diseases experienced by many 21st Century Americans.
