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Photo: Alexander Kirch/Shutterstock.com
Photo: Alexander Kirch/Shutterstock.com

Forest bathing is a hot trend right now! At the root of the new interest in woods lies deep-seated human needs – plus hard science that underscores the importance of the sense of smell.

For a long time, the sea, the coast and beaches were the epitome of relaxation, recreation, fresh air and a healthy climate. Now, people are flocking to forests to re-experience a side of nature that is lacking in our everyday lives. This renaissance comes as no great surprise. As awareness of environmental issues

rises, people are paying more attention to forests and woods as original ecosystems. Forests convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and biomass, purify water, protect against natural hazards and supply timber, one of our most important renewable resources. But that’s not all that forests have to offer. Forest smells and dappled lighting are a pleasure for all senses. The silence interspersed with natural sounds has a relaxing effect. Green is soothing for the eyes. Most importantly, forests have a discernibly positive effect on health. Forests have long occupied a special place in Japanese culture. Shinrin Yoku, “bathing in the atmosphere of the forest”, is practically considered a form of individual preventive health care. In the 1980s,Japanese scientists started studying the beneficial medical effect of forest bathing, and Japanese universities now offer forest medicine as a specialisation

for physicians.

The influence on health

Forests can offer considerable health benefits; studies have shown forests offer measurable health benefits that stroll through a forest can lower the heart rate and blood pressure, and significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol… What’s best: all it takes is twenty to thirty minutes daily to reap these benefits. The immune system also benefits. After only one day in the woods, the number of defence cells in human blood rises by nearly 40%, and this result lasts for a week. Experts now recommend forest “bathing” to counteract high blood pressure, high stress levels and depression.

The Austrian biologist Clemens Arvay has coined the term “biophilia effect” to describe the benefits, stating that the biochemical cocktail of a forest has a healing effect on humans. This cocktail consists largely of terpenes, which are volatile organic substances. These botanical fragrances are found in herbs such as thyme or rosemary, as well as in conifers. Perfumer Scott Moroschan believes that these fragrances can be isolated by water vapor isolation from needles, cones, twigs or shavings. The essential oils obtained in this way differ depending on the tree. Moroschan speaks of each tree’s own olfactory fingerprint. Cedar, Swiss stone pine, pine or silver fir - each variety conveys the idea of a forest with an individual scent.

Forest for the home

Forests have arrived in personal care, fine fragrances and home care. The proportion of products on the market is increasing. There are fragrances with spruce notes, shower gels with a conifer fragrance or candles that bring the forest into the home. Specialised manufacturer offer forest bathing additives. Essential oils of pine needles combined with juniper, ingredients such as woodruff and spruce balm, laurel, tree moss and tree bark have been included in shower gels for men. The aim is to allow consumers to dive deeply into the soothing fragrance universe of the forest with all its relaxing effects.

Christian Lüke 
head of marketing,
Hamburg, Germany,
www.duellberg-konzentra.de 

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