The research field of the medical-therapeutic effects of healing forests and forest therapy is still relatively young, but is active. Especially the Asian region has made some important contributions in this field. Many contributions concern our understanding of the effect on the cardiovascular system and the immune system.
Research Institutions
The IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems—in close cooperation with the ISFT—is the first European research center in close cooperation with the ISFT that deals with the scientific foundation of forest therapy.
Contact
Prof.(FH) Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Gerhard Tucek — gerhard.tucek@fh-krems.ac.at
Congress Forest and its Potential for Health.
The ISFT co-organizes a regular international congress Forest and its Potential for Health.
V. International Congress
Forest and its Potential for Health
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
IV. International Congress
Forest and its Potential for Health
Luso & Mata do Bussaco, Centro de Portugal
III. International Congress
Forest and its Potential for Health
Girona & the Garrotxa Region, Spain
Literature
Hassan A, Tao J, Li G, Jiang M, Aii L, Zhihui J, Zongfang L, Qibing C. Effects of Walking in Bamboo Forest and City Environments on Brainwave Activity in Young Adults. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Feb 11;2018:9653857.
Ideno Y, Hayashi K, Abe Y, Ueda K, Iso H, Noda M, Lee JS, Suzuki S. Blood pressure-lowering effect of Shinrin-yoku (Forest bathing): A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2017, 17, 409.
Im SG, Choi H, Jeon YH, Song MK, Kim W, Woo JM. Comparison of Effect of Two-Hour Exposure to Forest and Urban Environments on Cytokine, Anti-Oxidant, and Stress Levels in Young Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Jun 23;13(7):625.
Lee JY, Lee DC. Cardiac and pulmonary benefits of forest walking versus city walking in elderly women: A randomised, controlled, open-label trial. Eur J Integr Med. 2014. 6:5-11
Li Q, Morimoto K, Nakadai A, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Shimizu T, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Suzuki H, Miyazaki Y, Kagawa T, Koyama Y, Ohira T, Takayama N, Krensky AM, Kawada T. Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2007 Apr-Jun;20(2 Suppl 2):3-8.
Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Li YJ, Wakayama Y, Kawada T, Ohira T, Takayama N, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. A forest bathing trip increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins in female subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2008 Jan-Mar;22(1):45-55.
Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Suzuki H, Li YJ, Wakayama Y, Kawada T, Park BJ, Ohira T, Matsui N, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y, Krensky AM. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008 Jan-Mar;21(1):117-27.
Li Q, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Hirata Y, Li YJ, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Suzuki H, Katsumata M, Wakayama Y, Kawada T, Ohira T, Matsui N, Kagawa T. A day trip to a forest park increases human natural killer activity and the expression of anti-cancer proteins in male subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2010 Apr-Jun;24(2):157-65.
Mao GX, Cao YB, Lan XG, He ZH, Chen ZM, Wang YZ, Hu XL, Lv YD, Wang GF, Yan J. Therapeutic effect of forest bathing on human hypertension in the elderly. J Cardiol. 2012;60:495–502
Mao GX, Cao YB, Yang Y, Chen ZM, Dong JH, Chen SS, Wu Q, Lyu XL, Jia BB, Yan J, Wang GF. Additive Benefits of Twice Forest Bathing Trips in Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure. Biomed Environ Sci. 2018 Feb;31(2):159-162
Ohe Y, Ikei H, Song C, Miyazaki Y. Evaluating the relaxation effects of emerging forest-therapy tourism: A multidisciplinary approach. Tour Manag. 2017. 62: 322-334
Schuh, A.; Immich, G. Waldtherapie—Das Potential des Waldes für Ihre Gesundheit; Springer-Verlag: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2019.
Stier-Jarmer M, Throner V, Kirschneck M, Immich G, Frisch D, Schuh A. The Psychological and Physical Effects of Forests on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 11;18(4):1770
White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J, Wheeler BW, Hartig T, Warber SL, Bone A, Depledge MH, Fleming LE. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 13;9(1):7730.