Posted by admin | Posted in Clean Air, Water and Sunshine | Posted on 27-10-2009
Posted by James Ong
Here are four fascinating scientific papers coming out of Japan documenting the immune enhancing effects of forest walks. The Japanese call them “forest baths”. They stimulate production of NK (Natural Killer) cells and their activity; the expression of anti-cancer proteins and reduce levels of stress hormones (adrenaline) on a significant basis! NK cells are of course one of the most important internal defense mechanisms against cancerous cells. It was found that the effect lasts for 7 days or longer. Interestingly, they could not find the effect for city walks. So retail therapy (walking along Orchard Road) doesn’t seem to confer any benefits. One of the papers call forest walks a form of “natural aromatherapy”. Forest trees and plants emit phytonicides which are believed to play a part in enhancing the body’s immune system.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18394317
It is therefore great for everyone and especially anyone with immune challenges to go on such walks on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Besides the immune-enhancing effects, they will be getting a good exercise, breathing in pure air and getting lots of sunshine and Vitamin D (which also boosts immune function).
King Solomon was into something because the Bible records that he named his palace, the “House of the Forest of Lebanon”. He built his palace like the famous forest, surrounding himself with cedars and cypresses and other fragrant trees/plants everyday!
For those who have never gone on long walks, always start modestly. Begin with 30 minute walks and build up to 2 hours gradually. Doing them weekly or fortnightly would be a great self-help program for restoring or maintaining optimum immune function.