The art and practice of Forest Bathing is rooted in much scientific research.
The air in the forest is fresher than the city air... Why? Because trees emit essential essences called phytoncides to protect from predative germs; insects. When you inhale these phytoncides, it improves the functioning of your immune system.
The Japanese practice of being in the forest, "Shirin-yokou", literally means bathing in the forest.
In fact, the Japanese have measured stress factors before and after a 30 minute visit to a forest. They found lower concentrations of cortisol, blood pressure and pulse rate went down, there was more parasympathetic nerve activity (rest-and-digest system) and less sympathetic nerve activity (flight-or-fight responses). In other words, hanging out with the trees makes us humans less stressed.
Trees are not only good for your body, they are also good for your spirit. Another study showed reduced hostility and depression after being with the trees, or as one researcher put it, “therapeutic landscapes.”
It really is medicinal in result. Some of the scientific benefits include but not limited to (1):
Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
Increased energy level
Improved sleep
Just as impressive are the results that we are experiencing as we make this part of our regular practice:
Deeper and clearer intuition
Increased flow of energy
Increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species
Increased flow of eros/life force
Deepening of friendships
Overall increase in sense of happiness
So hug a tree and/or hang out with trees and keep an eye out for our up-coming research on eBook on Shirin-yokou and how; why it can re-balance your imbalance. And/or get a little more XL green energy in your day and life that re-moves the toxins via our D-tox Mouth Wash or hot/cold Canarino Tonic.
They are soooooo the need-to-know!
