The connection between the skin and the gut is a big herbal inspiration, and a WHY behind Fat and the Moon’s existence, i.e. how do we care for our outsides and insides simultaneously? We thought you might also appreciate a deeper dive into the subject for your own, inner “ah has”.

Our founder, Rachel, just had the absolute pleasure of teaching up and coming herbal practitioners, as a part of the Land of Verse’s School of Herbal Medicine on the subject of Botanical Beauty.

A rich subject to digest…Pun intended.

These classes led into deep conversations about the inextricable connection between the skin and the gut.

So let’s get into the skin/gut connection, shall we?

The Skin

First, let’s reintroduce your skin to yourself as the largest eliminatory organ of the body. That’s right, whatever you don’t poop out or pee out, gets released through your skin.

The skin is where you interface with the world, get essential data that your nervous system responds (or reacts) to.

The skin is COVERED, if you’re lucky, with a dizzying plethora of micro flora and fauna. That’s right, bacteria, viri, archaea, fungi, are coating your body… while this might sound alarming, when these tiny creatures are in balance, they act like bouncers keeping pining pathogens from entry.

The skin is in a 28 day cycle of build up and slough off in order to keep the integrity of your most external membrane.

The Gut

The gut is the internal skin, the place you also interface with the world. Entry point: mouth. Exit point: Ur-anus.

The gut also has its own nervous system called the enteric nervous system, Yes, that gut feeling is absolutely real.

The gut is also populated with trillions of microorganisms, which all are working in concert for dynamic balance.

Whatever the gut can’t process and eliminate will have more staying power (like recirculating hormones) or the bod will have to find other eliminatory pathways.

The gut, like the skin, is also in a constant sloughing and regenerating process

Can you feel it?

Common skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and acne have links to gut dysfunction, and over or under populations of particular microorganisms.

For instance, Acne vulgaris affects about 90% of the adolescent population in the western world, yet in cultures that have not been westernized, it is almost non-existent.

Turns out Acne vulgaris shows up when a gut microbiome is less diverse, as is the case with many chronic skin issues.

So, one way to take good care of your skin is to take care of your gut. Yes, fermented foods are your friends. Probiotics are good in short stints, but not as an ongoing daily supplement. AND, don’t forget that each ecosystem you encounter has its own unique biome. So get populated as you visit lakes, streams, forests, deserts, valleys, and the dirt in your own backyard. Putting your hands in the ground is medicinal.

Plants like chamomile, burdock, goji berry and licorice are excellent gut allies. Contact your local herbalist for more details!

At Fat and the Moon, we strongly believe in the importance of understanding our bods, so we can align with its wisdom. In addition, we are always here to pump up the jam of appreciation for the brilliance of the botanical world that helps support our form and function!

Medicinal Miso
- 2 cups miso of choice (the lighter the miso, the sweeter it is)
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon lemon rind
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1-2 garlic cloves1 tablespoon ashwagandha powder
- 1 tablespoon astragalus powder1 tablespoon reishi powder

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate.
The miso will keep for four-five months. You can add any dried herbs of your choice, if you have fresh herbs on hand, you can use those as well- just keeping in mind you’ll use more of the fresh herb. Since fresh herbs contain water, your miso will last in the fridge for up to two months.

Latest Journals