Andrew Scheim Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and reflects integrative wellness perspectives. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The Swamp and the Mountain Stream
What’s the difference between a swamp and a mountain stream?
A swamp is stagnant, filthy, and full of pathogens. A mountain stream is flowing, dynamic, and crystal clear.
Which would you rather be—the mountain stream or the swamp?
One of the biggest challenges I encounter with my clients is what I call swampy terrain.
I have a simple slogan:
Microbes work 24/7. You need a 24/7 strategy.
This is where I believe most people fail. Their strategy is to go from one treatment to another, then another, without understanding the underlying process or developing a comprehensive approach.
Once microbes become established, they don’t simply take a break. Think of persistent microbial challenges such as Candida or Lyme disease. These organisms can be difficult to address, and the consequences may extend well beyond the original problem.
To understand why so many approaches fall short, we need to understand how the process develops, how microbes establish themselves, and why a continuous strategy is so important.
The Foundations: Naturopathy and Chinese Medicine
One of the foundational principles of traditional naturopathic medicine is the idea that disease begins with a toxic colon.
Return to our mountain stream and swamp. Both contain water, but one is moving dynamically while the other is stagnant.
This brings us to a central principle in Chinese medicine: the dynamic flow of energy.
When movement becomes stagnant, problems begin to accumulate.
Chinese medicine also associates the colon with grief. This introduces another dimension to our understanding of the relationship between the gut, emotional experience, and the mind.
Rather than looking at these as completely separate issues, we can begin to appreciate their interrelationships.
But let’s return to the naturopathic foundation.
Transit Time: Where the Problem Begins
If the intestinal environment becomes a breeding ground for unwanted microbes, a series of consequential problems can develop.
One of the first considerations is transit time—how efficiently waste moves through the digestive tract.
When elimination becomes sluggish, waste matter remains longer in the colon. Traditional colon therapy literature refers to the accumulation and deterioration of this material as putrefied matter.
Many people assume that having a bowel movement once a day automatically means everything is functioning optimally. But in my experience, there is much more to consider.
I’ve known people who don’t eat particularly well but eliminate frequently, have strong constitutions, and rarely seem to get sick.
Others are much more vulnerable.
This brings us to another fundamental issue: the vitality of the intestinal flora.
The Colon as a Septic Tank
Think of your colon as a septic tank.
A properly functioning septic system receives waste, and beneficial bacteria continually break down and process that material.
But what happens when the bacterial environment becomes compromised?
The system no longer processes waste efficiently. Material accumulates, stagnation develops, and the environment becomes increasingly unfavorable.
I use this analogy because it illustrates something very important about the intestinal environment.
The ultimate objective is not simply to eliminate unwanted microbes. It is to establish and maintain a vital, functioning microbial environment.
You can also think of the colon as a furnace.
A furnace requires a functioning thermostat and adequate fuel to generate heat. If the thermostat isn’t signaling properly, the furnace doesn’t operate as intended.
In my work, I consider the relationships among thyroid function, metabolism, intestinal activity, and the vitality of the gut flora.
The septic tank and furnace are two ways of illustrating the importance of maintaining a dynamic internal environment.
Many people assume they can simply take probiotics and solve the problem. But in my experience, it is rarely that simple.
The entire environment must be considered.
Microbial Colonization and Biofilms
When intestinal transit becomes sluggish and the microbial environment deteriorates, opportunistic organisms may begin to establish themselves.
Candida is one example I frequently discuss.
An important consideration is the formation of biofilms.
Biofilms are protective structures that microorganisms can form, making them more difficult to reach and address.
Think of a colony of microbes building a protective shield around itself.
Candida also has the ability to develop different forms, including its hyphal form, which adds another dimension to its persistence.
This is why I emphasize understanding the process rather than simply selecting another antimicrobial product.
We need to consider the microbial environment, the protective biofilm, and the condition of the intestinal lining.
Leaky Gut: The Bathroom Grout Analogy
Here’s another simple analogy.
Think of the tile and grout in your shower.
When the grout is intact, it helps prevent water from penetrating behind the tile.
But when the grout begins to deteriorate, water can penetrate areas where it doesn’t belong.
The intestinal lining has structures called tight junctions, which help regulate what passes through the intestinal barrier.
In my teaching, I compare these tight junctions to the grout between bathroom tiles.
When intestinal permeability becomes compromised, the protective barrier no longer functions in the same way.
This is commonly discussed under the term leaky gut.
Now we have several interconnected concerns: the original intestinal environment, microbial overgrowth, biofilm formation, and the integrity of the gut wall.
You can begin to see why addressing only one aspect may be insufficient.
The Consequential Fallout
In my integrative model, I also consider the possibility of secondary areas of microbial stagnation, particularly the sinuses.
The colon and sinuses are two areas I pay attention to when evaluating the broader terrain.
Mucus accumulation and stagnation can create additional challenges.
Another major consideration is the relationship between the intestinal environment and immune function.
A substantial portion of immune activity is associated with the gastrointestinal tract.
When intestinal conditions are compromised, I consider how that may influence broader patterns of immune stress, inflammation, and reactivity.
This is where the situation becomes more complex.
What began as a problem involving transit time and intestinal flora may now involve multiple systems.
We have the original problem, and then we have the consequential fallout.
Understanding that distinction is essential to developing a coherent strategy.
Four Steps: Disrupt, Destroy, Sweep, Regenerate
In my approach, I organize the process into four interconnected steps:
1. Disrupt
The first consideration is the protective biofilm.
If unwanted organisms are shielded within biofilm structures, we need to consider how those protective environments can be addressed.
2. Destroy
Once the protective environment has been disrupted, the next objective is to address the unwanted microbial organisms themselves.
These first two steps work together conceptually.
3. Sweep
This is an especially important part of my teaching.
When unwanted organisms are being addressed, we also need to consider the accumulation and elimination of waste materials.
I call this the sweep.
It is not simply a matter of taking a few supplements. It involves understanding elimination, transit time, and the broader processes by which the body handles waste.
And it must be an ongoing consideration.
4. Regenerate
Finally, we need to consider the restoration of the intestinal environment, including the gut lining and beneficial microbial flora.
The objective is not simply to wage war against unwanted organisms.
It is to restore a more vital, balanced internal terrain.
Disrupt. Destroy. Sweep. Regenerate.
These are not necessarily four isolated events. In my approach, they represent an integrated, continuing process.
Why a One-Hour Treatment Is Not a 24-Hour Strategy
This brings us back to the central point of the entire discussion.
Suppose you use a technology or therapeutic approach for one hour to address unwanted microbes.
What happens during the other 23 hours of the day?
This is a question I believe many people overlook.
I’ve seen people jump from one protocol to another. They may try a strong antimicrobial approach, an extended fast, or some other intensive intervention.
But what happens afterward?
What if their intestinal environment remains compromised? What if their natural gut flora has not regained sufficient vitality?
They may have addressed one part of the problem without establishing the conditions needed for sustained improvement.
This is why I place so much emphasis on continuous support of the internal terrain.
In my experience, rebuilding a robust intestinal flora can be particularly challenging for people who have been compromised for many years.
Some people seem naturally blessed with strong constitutions and resilient intestinal environments. Others require a much more deliberate, ongoing approach.
I don’t believe a single intervention is necessarily enough.
Integration Rather Than Isolated Treatments
It took me many years of practice to appreciate the importance of having an array of complementary tools.
Some of these approaches are familiar. Others are relatively obscure.
But even when someone discovers an unusual or powerful technology, they may make the mistake of relying on that one tool while neglecting the rest of the system.
This is precisely what I want people to understand.
The tools must serve the strategy. The strategy must address the terrain. And the approach must be sustained rather than fragmented.
Even after a person experiences improvement, changes in diet, travel, stress, or other circumstances may require renewed attention to the internal environment.
The process is dynamic, not static.
The Central Message
Remember the swamp and the mountain stream.
One is stagnant. The other is flowing.
My objective is to help people understand the difference and begin thinking about their health in a more comprehensive, integrated manner.
We need to recognize the original conditions, the development of microbial challenges, and the consequential effects that may follow.
Once we understand that progression, we can begin to organize a more skillful approach.
In the next presentation, I’ll explore the various integrative tools and strategies I use within this framework.
But if you remember only one thing from this discussion, remember this:
Microbes work 24/7. You need a 24/7 strategy.
Andrew Scheim
Integrative Wellness Educator and Practitioner
AndrewScheim.com
