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Forest medicine research in Japan
Yoshifumi Miyazaki1, Harumi Ikei, Chorong Song
1Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University.
Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Hygiene
|May 27, 2014
Summary
Forest therapy significantly reduces stress and enhances immune function. Spending time in nature lowers cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate, promoting relaxation and preventive health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Preventive Medicine
- Environmental Psychology
- Human Health
Background:
- Growing interest in forest effects on physiological relaxation and immune recovery.
- Japan leads in forest medicine research, accumulating data since 1992.
- Forest medicine is a key area within preventive medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize forest medicine research conducted in Japan since 1992.
- To evaluate the physiological and immunological effects of forest therapy.
- To explore the role of forest medicine in preventive healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Field experiments with 420 subjects across 35 Japanese forests.
- Comparison of physiological parameters (cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, nervous activity) between forest and urban settings.
- Analysis of immune function, specifically natural killer cell activity, post-forest exposure.
- Indoor experiments involving olfactory, tactile, and auditory forest-related stimuli.
Main Results:
- Forest therapy decreased cortisol levels by 12.4% and sympathetic nervous activity by 7.0%.
- Physiological relaxation observed: 1.4% decrease in systolic blood pressure and 5.8% decrease in heart rate.
- Enhanced parasympathetic nervous activity by 55.0%, indicating a relaxed state.
- Natural killer cell activity increased by 56% and remained elevated for one month, demonstrating preventive benefits.
- Indoor forest stimuli also reduced blood pressure and pulse rate, inducing relaxation.
Conclusions:
- Forest therapy effectively relieves stress and promotes physiological relaxation.
- Forest exposure significantly enhances immune function, offering preventive health advantages.
- Both natural forest environments and indoor forest-related stimuli yield positive health effects.
- Forest medicine is poised to become increasingly vital in future preventive medicine strategies.
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