Current Development Status of Forest Therapy in China

Abstract

As a result of rapid urbanization and urban sprawl, natural ecosystems are shrinking or are fragmented, affecting people’s health and quality of life. Modern people prefer to live in large cities rather than rural areas because of greater convenience and more comfortable living conditions. As a consequence, people are suffering from many psycho-physiological health problems and have a longing for natural environments to escape the concrete jungle. Forest therapy has emerged as a preventive and alternative therapy to cope with stress and enhance people’s health and wellbeing as a result of spending time in a green and healthy environment. Here, we review the activities related to forest therapy in China and discuss the commonalities and differences between the forest therapy types. Furthermore, we summarize the current achievements of forest therapy in basic research and the development of the forest therapy industry. We also describe the challenges that forest therapy has been facing. Finally, we provide suggestions for further development in research and industry.

Mapping of Research in the Field of Forest Therapy-Related Issues: A Bibliometric Analysis for 2007–2021

“…An alternative health promotion approach is forest therapy. It is a complementary and alternative treatment method, with the forest environment to be the foundation and the preventive medicine to be the core ( Li, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Stier-Jarmer et al, 2021 ). Improving physical and mental health and preventing disease is the end goal of forest therapy by carrying out a set of activities in a specific forest environment to make people consciously use all five senses, such as forest retreats, forest walks, and others ( Lee et al, 2017 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Antonelli et al, 2021 ; Stier-Jarmer et al, 2021 ).…”

“…It is a complementary and alternative treatment method, with the forest environment to be the foundation and the preventive medicine to be the core ( Li, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Stier-Jarmer et al, 2021 ). Improving physical and mental health and preventing disease is the end goal of forest therapy by carrying out a set of activities in a specific forest environment to make people consciously use all five senses, such as forest retreats, forest walks, and others ( Lee et al, 2017 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Antonelli et al, 2021 ; Stier-Jarmer et al, 2021 ). Forest therapy was first proposed by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries under the term “forest bathing” in 1982 ( Antonelli et al, 2021 ), and has subsequently gained attention around the world.…”

“…For example, in South Korea, the Forestry Agency launched the Human Health Forest Project in 2007 ( Shin et al, 2009 ). In China, four national departments jointly issued Opinions on Promoting the Development of the Forest Health and Wellness Industry to advance the development of this therapy in 2019 ( Zhang et al, 2020 ). The concept of forest therapy has also been developed in Europe in different countries, such as “Kneipp Therapy” in Germany, “Green Steps” in Sweden, “Power Trail at Ikaalinen Spa” in Finland, and “Nacadia Therapy Forest Garden” in Denmark ( Locher and Pforr, 2014 ; Stier-Jarmer et al, 2021 ).…”

Kadın Sağlığında Orman Banyosu (Shinrin-Yoku) ve Orman Terapisinin (Shinrin -Ryoho) Etkileri

“…In China, the concept of forest therapy was introduced in 2012 and practices began in 2013 (Zhang et al 2020). China has been carrying out various activities related to forest therapy since 2015.…”

A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol

“…Accumulated evidence confirms that forest bathing has quantifiable positive outcomes for individuals’ physical and mental health [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The physiological health benefits include increases in the parasympathetic activity, which plays an important role in physical recovery [ 14 ]; the decrease of physiological biomarkers, such as cortisol levels and alpha-amylase; [ 15 ] and the lowering of heart rate and blood pressure [ 16 , 17 ].…”