A WALK IN THE FOREST MAY BE GOOD FOR US

Written by: James (Jim) Hudson, Professor Emeritus

Many health experts have suggested that, because of our stressful lifestyles and work environments, we are suffering from chronic stress and its consequent health problems. However, there has been a resurgence lately in the concept of spending time in the forest (walking, jogging etc), a practice generally referred to as “forest bathing” (“shinrin yoku”) or “nature therapy”, in the belief that exposure to the volatile compounds exuded by the leaves of various cedar-related trees can reverse some of the stress-induced symptoms. Similarly, sick building syndrome (SBS) may be overcome by diffusing the vapors of cedar leaf oils into the ventilation (HVAC) system of the building.

Studies in several laboratories, including ours (in collaboration with Dr. Selvarani Vimalanathan), have provided evidence that the principal volatile components of the oils, mixtures of terpenes (terpenoids), possess potent antiviral, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as the capacity to enhance natural killer cells.

Is there a scientific basis for such health benefits, and, if so, what are the mechanisms? Studies in several laboratories, including ours (in collaboration with Dr. Selvarani Vimalanathan), have provided evidence that the principal volatile components of the oils, mixtures of terpenes (terpenoids), possess potent antiviral, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as the capacity to enhance natural killer cells. Certain individual terpenes do demonstrate bioactivities in various model systems, although it is possible that, in common with many medicinal herb extracts, mixtures of the bioactive compounds are the key to successful “therapy”.

My recent review (referred to below) summarizes the status of these studies, and presents a simplified model to explain how such a combination of terpenes could alleviate some stressful conditions.

Ref: Hudson, JB (2019) Review Article: Cedar leaf oil vapor in buildings and forests: Health benefits and mechanisms. Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (JIPBS). Vol 6 (4), 33-41. Oct-Dec 2019. ISSN2349-2759 Available online at www.jipbs.com .