JUST a WALK in the WOODS BOOSTS IMMUNITY, FIGHTS CANCER and LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE! REALLY???
Now this I had to investigate...because it is almost too far out there to believe!
To my surprise this has actually been studied since the 1950's in Russia and Germany for treating everything from infections to cavities. (Both Russia and Germany have a long and successful history with the application of botanical and natural treatments)
It works not just because because you escape your stress but because THE WOODLAND PLANTS DIRECTLY IMPOSE WELLNESS MOLECULES UPON YOU!
A word has been derived called PHYTONCIDE which literally represents the ESSENCE of the forest from the essential oils to the electromagnetic boost in ionization emitted in the air. More than 5,000 volatile substances defend the surrounding plants from bacteria, fungi and insects. Phytoncides literally protect a woodland plant from being exterminated and turning into the humus of the forest floor by preventing the growth of attacking organism. Phytoncides are not found in the city urban environments built with concrete and steel.
In one study they found that visiting the forest ENHANCED human natural killer (NK) anti-tumor activity, INCREASED anti-cancer proteins and reduced the level of adrenaline stress hormones in both male and female subjects. MOREOVER- THIS EFFECT LASTED MORE THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE TRIP! The researches concluded that that visiting forest parks may have a preventive effect on cancer generation and progression.
Another study also showed BLOOD PRESSURE and STRESS HORMONE levels DROPPED significantly in the study group which was exposed to phytoncides versus the placebo group. Leading the researches to deduce that PHYTONCIDES REDUCED cardiovascular response in hypertension.
SPRING IS ALMOST HERE... GET OUT IN NATURE! It will do you more good than you ever imagined before! Make communing with NATURE a weekly part of your HEALTH REGIMINE!
studies:
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Jan-Mar;24(1 Suppl):39S-44S. Effect of forest environments on human natural killer (NK) activity.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2004 Dec;31 Suppl 2:S27-8.
Effects of phytoncides on blood pressure under restraint stress in SHRSP.