health benefits
HOW PHYTONCIDES IMPROVE OUR WELLBEING
Being outside in nature has many benefits to a persons wellbeing, its truly one of those simple pleasures in life. You may be thinking how can being in nature be so effective, well what researches have been able to demonstrate is the healing effects and where they stem from. Trees give off this organic compound called phytoncides that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system's way of fighting cancer and other diseases. As humans we are lucky enough to be supported by these benefits by simply spending time in a green environment. As the atmosphere is filled with these phytoncides we breathe them into our lungs where they make their way into our immune system. |
PHYTONCIDES AND THE HUMAN BODY
The breath has always been the giver of life and as we breathe in these Phytoncides they simply increase our natural killer cells and studies have shown this can last for up to 30 days. Many studies in various countries such Japan, China, Germany, Australia and the UK to name a few have shown the health benefits of spending time in a green space participating in forest therapy or bathing as it is sometimes referred to.
A good example of phytoncides would be the strong smell of onion, garlic or a good essential oils like pine, eucalyptus or tea tree oil. These examples all have proven health benefits in one way or another providing properties such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory responses to the human body.
The benefits of this response increasing Natural Killer cells in the human body are important as they play a role in supporting the immune system by fighting disease, cancer, viruses, tumors and infection. This anti-microbial defense can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and its anti-fungal defense fight fungi preventing the onset of infection.
The breath has always been the giver of life and as we breathe in these Phytoncides they simply increase our natural killer cells and studies have shown this can last for up to 30 days. Many studies in various countries such Japan, China, Germany, Australia and the UK to name a few have shown the health benefits of spending time in a green space participating in forest therapy or bathing as it is sometimes referred to.
A good example of phytoncides would be the strong smell of onion, garlic or a good essential oils like pine, eucalyptus or tea tree oil. These examples all have proven health benefits in one way or another providing properties such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory responses to the human body.
The benefits of this response increasing Natural Killer cells in the human body are important as they play a role in supporting the immune system by fighting disease, cancer, viruses, tumors and infection. This anti-microbial defense can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and its anti-fungal defense fight fungi preventing the onset of infection.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
The urban sprawl may have provided much needed housing for people, unfortunately the lack of foresight in incorporating large green spaces for us to exercise and play in has proven detrimental to our overall general health and wellbeing. Many of us are struggling with depression and other related mental health issues, obesity, increased stressed level, pollution, noise pollution and that loss of community. Many of us spend our days stuck in traffic commuting to and from work, working in concrete buildings and then to go home and again being confined to an indoor space. Children have reduced space to run free leading a typically sedentary life increases child illness such as diabetes and obesity. |
BENEFITS
Being in an environment rich in phytoncides may improve your memory, reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression by decreases cortisol levels whilst increasing those feel good hormones. It's anti-inflammatory defense reduces pain in the body and stimulates the gastrointestinal tract aiding in better digestion. Studies in Japan have shown a decrease in the bodies fight and flight response which is often highly stimulated in adults today due to life stressors.
Being in an environment rich in phytoncides may improve your memory, reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression by decreases cortisol levels whilst increasing those feel good hormones. It's anti-inflammatory defense reduces pain in the body and stimulates the gastrointestinal tract aiding in better digestion. Studies in Japan have shown a decrease in the bodies fight and flight response which is often highly stimulated in adults today due to life stressors.
STUDIES
Today there is an abundance of studies which have been the foundation for the development of Forest Therapy centers as well as the re-generation of Forests in countries such as Japan and China. Japan itself has established more than 40 Forest Therapy bases, Scotland recently introduced Forest Therapy to its health scheme as a prescribed treatment by your local doctor. China has taken on one of the worlds largest reforesting initiatives to combat declining health of its people and environment.
Forest Therapy is becoming widely recognized as a public health practice its researched is evidence based it is sustainable, cost effective with no side effects and its comes from nature.
Today there is an abundance of studies which have been the foundation for the development of Forest Therapy centers as well as the re-generation of Forests in countries such as Japan and China. Japan itself has established more than 40 Forest Therapy bases, Scotland recently introduced Forest Therapy to its health scheme as a prescribed treatment by your local doctor. China has taken on one of the worlds largest reforesting initiatives to combat declining health of its people and environment.
Forest Therapy is becoming widely recognized as a public health practice its researched is evidence based it is sustainable, cost effective with no side effects and its comes from nature.