Forest Medicine
Forest Medicine[edit]
Forest Medicine is a field in nature-based alternative medical sciences.[1] It originates from the Nippon Medical School research under Prof. Qing Li and bases on physiological, immunological and epidemiological sciences.[2] Forest Medicine utilises medicative and constitutional effects of forest agglomerations within therapeutic concepts. Forest Medicine uses inhalative effects of terpenes and phytoncides on the immune and cardiac system in specific preventative therapeutic approaches (forest bathing, forest meditation, relaxative therapy etc.). Methods in Forest Medicine are used in clinical ecology and eco-psychosomatic medicine for the treatment of “diseases of affluence”. Its applications include the rehabilitation and recovery from effects of ecological pollution. Forest Medicine as an interdisciplinary science is applied to mainly treat or prevent stress-induced illnesses (mainly arterial high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus, sleep or anxiety disorder, depression).[3] Concepts of Forest Medicine are represented through national and international scientific societies.
Origins[edit]
Forest Medicine originated as new field in alternative medical sciences and comprises Nature Therapy, Garden Therapy, Landscape Therapy as well as Animal Therapy. It is part of the Green Care Movement. In Japan, Forest Medicine is part of the so-called Shinrin-Yoku Movement (jap. Forest Bathing). Since 2004, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries promotes studies about therapeutical effects of forests on human health. Experimental and epidemiological research results (in Japan, Korea, China and Europe) showed, that forest-ecosystems can have positive effects on physical and mental health through stress-reducing properties. The studies were conducted in metropolises like Tokyo and showed effects on the cellular level of the human immune system. The basic principles of Forest Medicine see forest-based ecosystems (containing trees, plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi, moss, fern etc.) as well as landscapes, parks, gardens and waterbodies as including broad activity spectrums for the human body.
Theoretical Conception[edit]
Bioactive function cycles as well as esthetical perception are being seen as aspects of effects on human health. In turn, effects of human impact on the natural environment are also part of this conception. In principle, complex interactions and interdependencies are being seen as pertaining to a system of hypercomplex human-nature-relations. Evolutionary ecologisation and environmental imprinting through forests in the course of hominization make for the basic assumption about positive effects on human health. In this way, Forest Medicine represents perspectives in the field of eco-psychosomatics.[4]
Dual Forest Medicine[edit]
From the basic assumption in Forest Medicine, that forests, human beings and animals represent an intertwined system in an "ecology of communion" derives the terminology of a so-called “Dual Forest Medicine”. The dualistic conception aims at both a “caring for people” and a “caring for nature”.[5] The basic self-understanding of Forest Medicine contains its perception as being a dualistic field advocating both the protection of the habitat forest (“caring for nature”) as well as the usage of its health-promoting benefits (“caring for people”). In the sense of modern mundane philosophy[6], Forest Medicine aims at debating anthropocentric conceptions of the world.
Methods[edit]
Part of the dualistic conception in Forest Medicine is the basic principle of “caring for nature”.[7] It finds its application mainly on forests as a natural good. Within proactive and participative environmental projects, scholars of Forest Medicine encourage the protection of forests. Key features of these projects are the accumulation of knowledge as well as the ecological stabilization of habitats. Their application can mostly be found within group-based contexts supported through scientists of different fields. Objectives can contain the renaturation and planting of trees or the layout of therapeutic parcours in forest habitats. Such “Walking Forest Therapy Roads” can be used in medical presence for treatment methods in Forest Medicine. Within this conception, “Caring for Nature” in such a way enables “caring for people”.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku)[edit]
Forest Bathing or “Shinrin-Yoku” denotes the activity of “bathing” in, preferably primeval, forests or deliberately wandering around comparable environments like parks containing atmospheres with high concentrations of phytoncides. Bioactive substances like phytoncides enter the body via mucous membrane (i.e. bronchial mucosa) or skin surface, stimulate the production of immune cells.
- ↑ Li, Qing (2010). "Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function". Prev Med. 15 (1): 9–17.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Ikei, Y., H. (2016). "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan". Int J Environ Res Public Health. Vol. 13: 122–35.
- ↑ Lee, Park, Tsunetsugu, Ohira, Kagawa, Miyazaki, J., B.J., Y., T., T., Y. (2011). "Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects". Public Health. 125 (2): 93–100. PMID 21288543.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
- ↑ Preuss, S. (1995). Ökopsychosomatik. Umweltbelastungen und psychovegetative Beschwerden. Heidelberg: Asanger. Search this book on
- ↑ Petzold, H.G. (August 2015). "Die „NEUEN NATURTHERAPIEN" – Klinische Ökologie und Ökopsychosmatik in der „Green Care-Bewegung" – Caring for Nature and Caring for People". Grüne Texte. 8/2015.
- ↑ Welsch, Wolfgang (2015). Homo Mundanus. Jenseits der anthropishen Denkform der Moderne. Velbrück Wissenschaft. Search this book on
- ↑ Petzold, H.G. (2016). "Die „Neuen Naturtherapien", engagiertes „Green Care", waldtherapeutische Praxis" (PDF). Grüne Texte. 25.
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