Therapeutic forests are forest areas designed primarily for use in forest therapy with specific indications.
The ISFT defines a catalog of criteria that healing forests must meet. A healing forest needs, among other things, adapted paths and places for therapeutic interventions, sufficient protection against noise and wind. Furthermore, offers of forest therapists – to name only a few – are necessary. Based on this list of criteria, healing forests can be certified by the International Certification Office Healing Forest.
The forest has a distinctly health-promoting climate. The pure air, reduced in pollutants, and the high humidity have a positive effect on our health and relieve the respiratory tract. The sensory stimuli typical of the forest, such as birdsong or the smell of the diverse flora, have an overall relaxing effect. The subdued light and the predominance of green tones promote stress reduction and lift the mood. In addition, the forest creates incentives for movement, which promotes motor skills.
Prof. Karin Kraft, im Interview mit International Certification Office Healing Forest
Forest Therapy
Forest therapy is used according to medical-therapeutic indications in the field of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, psychosomatic, orthopedic or neurological diseases. It is suitable for favorably influencing the limitations of patients caused by disease (tertiary prevention) and alleviating suffering (palliation).
Health Benefits
Healing forests and forest therapy is used in prevention, rehabilitation and palliation.
Health benefits include, for example, reduced blood pressure, calmed pulse and reduced stress, but also a strengthened immune system, stronger lungs and improved motor skills.
Certified Healing Forests
In Preparation
- Waren (Müritz), Germany
- Bad Doberan, Germany
- Bad Driburg, Germany
- Bad Nauheim, Germany
- NUHR Medical Center, Senftenberg, Austria
- Mata do Buçaco, Portugal
- Kranjska Gora, Slovenia