Forest medicine: phytoncides and ions

You might have heard of some nature benefits or healing modalities of plants, however, there are other elements in nature that can improve our physical well-being. In this article, I'll introduce two intangible remedies: phytoncides and negatively charged ions.

Phytoncides [phyto = plant & cide = to kill]

Trees and plants like any biological organisms once in a while encounter other organisms that are potentially harmful or threatening. As a defence mechanism, they diffuse specific chemicals into the air called phytoncides (a.k.a. volatile organic compounds). They are active, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral substances that prevent plants from rotting and protect them from insects, fungus and bacteria. Chemically phytoncides are similar to essential oils and also serve as a means of communication among plants and trees.

When humans inhale phytoncides or absorb them through the skin, it prompts the human body to produce natural killer or NK cells. NK cells are a specific type of white blood cells that are the first to respond to immunity disruptors. By increased activity of these cells, not only immunity is improved, but also the levels of anticancer proteins are elevated. What's more, this effect does not occur only during forest bathing but it has been shown to last for more than 30 days - which is great news for preventive medicine! No wonder in more and more countries Nature Therapy is prescribed by doctors!

A growing body of research also suggests a connection between phytoncides and:

stress reduction
improved mood
decreased sense of depression
lowered blood glucose levels
enhanced sleep quality

Phytoncides are also the reason why Japanese researchers named the practice of forest medicine “Forest Bathing" (Shinrin-yoku in Japanese) because when people are in the Forest, they are bathing in the phytoncide-rich atmosphere of the Forest.

These unique chemicals are especially present in evergreen trees such as Cedars, Spruces and Pine, but also in Oak trees. Heat as well as rainfall seems to invigorate the emission of phytoncides.

Negatively charged ions

I've heard stories of Japanese women who practice sitting next to a waterfall in order to remain young and beautiful. The principle here is that excessive amounts of negatively charged ions are released whenever water collides with itself. So the mist around a waterfall is full of these negative ions. I can't say that you will definitely become prettier but there are nevertheless some impressive benefits.

We absorb the negative ions through our skin and by breathing them in. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost energy. They are also said to neutralize free radicals in the body, improve sleep quality and increase blood flow to the brain.

Other potential benefits include:

a decrease in depressive symptoms: some theorize negative ions may influence serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter associated with mood
enhanced alertness: improved reaction time and cognitive functions
reduced allergy and asthma symptoms: negative ions are believed to attach to pollutants like dust, pollen, and even some bacteria, causing them to clump together and fall to the ground, potentially improving air quality

Natural environments such as the beach, mountains, waterfalls and forests are known to have higher concentrations of negatively charged ions.

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