The Positive Effects of Forest Bathing on the Immune System and Respiratory System
Forest bathing can positively affect the immune and respiratory systems,including in older patients with COPD,by enhancing mucosal immunity and NK cell activity and reducing stress and inflammation, with its main active components being phytoncides and volatile essential oils released by trees.
A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of forest bathing with those of city walking in 84 healthy Japanese men aged 40 to 70. Compared with the city walking group, the forest bathing group showed a significant increase in sIgA, an important marker of mucosal immunity that helps prevent infectious diseases. The results also showed that walking in the forest significantly reduced the stress hormone cortisol in the blood and improved mood.
Blood and urine samples were collected from the participants to measure natural killer cell activity and count in the blood, intracellular granulysin, perforin and granzymes, and urinary adrenaline levels. The research confirmed that forest bathing increased participants’ NK cell activity, NK cell count and intracellular anti-cancer protein levels, improving immune function, and that this effect lasted for at least seven days.
Further research found that phytoncides in the forest environment can significantly enhance NK activity, and that this effect is mediated at least in part by inducing intracellular perforin, granzyme A and granulysin.
Researchers also explored the effects of forest bathing on the health of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study showed that forest bathing has a health-promoting effect in older COPD patients by reducing levels of inflammation and stress.
The main active components through which forest bathing produces its health effects are volatile substances in the forest, including phytoncides and volatile essential oils released by trees. Research has shown that phytoncides such as pinene can be detected in forest air.
Use the power of nature to heal every heart.
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