Home Garden With Eco-Healing Functions Benefiting Mental Health and Biodiversity During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to tremendous impacts on human lives and society, which are not only because of negative effects on people's mental health due to isolation policies and physical distance for mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but also because the incident post-acute sequelae of the coronavirus will cause mental disorders. A green environment is a health resource, which cannot only benefit human physical and mental health, but also increases biodiversity, contributes to flood mitigation, and cools urban areas. A home garden, as a kind of small green space, can provide ecosystem services with eco-healing functions in reducing mental stress during the isolation period of the COVID-19 pandemic through the garden itself and physical activities in it. Such an eco-healing approach within a mini-therapeutic landscape can also benefit biodiversity by enhancing plant diversity in residence and increasing biodiversity at a large scale. In this article, we propose a conceptual framework describing a home garden as “ecological medicine” with healing functions to improve mental health, as well as indirectly enhancing urban biodiversity. A home garden, as a mini-type of green landscape with biodiversity content, allows people to get close with nature so that it can promote comfortable and natural feelings during the pandemic. Furthermore, such an eco-healing home garden approach benefiting urban biodiversity can meet the challenges in maintaining environmental and mental health in post COVID-19 pandemic recovery, as well as preparing unknown next-surge risks with potential isolation regulations.

Perceived COVID-19-related stress drives home gardening intentions and improves human health in Taiwan

“…, [36] , [33] ) and obtained gardening benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic ( [13.] , [25] , [35] , [28] , [59] ). Owing to the strict home-based prevention policies in Taiwan, outdoor and natural activities have been restricted.…”

“…Stress reduction was found to be the primary benefit of home gardening in the COVID-19 pandemic ( [13.] , [25] , [35] , [28] , [59] ). Therefore, the first question is: Does the pandemic’s perceived stress affect home-gardening intentions for the requirement of stress reduction?…”

“…, [23] , [15.] , [31] , [36] , [25] , [41] , [43] , [55] , [59] ). Community gardens provide social support after disasters ( Shimpo et al, 2019 ).…”

Contribution of Home Gardens to Sustainable Development: Perspectives from A Supported Opinion Essay

“…In fact, growing ornamental plants for aesthetic purposes and/or fruits/vegetables for home consumption is one unpretentious way of interacting with flora and fauna, while promoting a greater interest and knowledge of nature-related issues [ 24 ]. Green spaces in balconies, terraces, backyards, or other areas increase an individual’s exposure to natural elements and biota while promoting physical activity, regardless of socioeconomic status [ 205 ]. Home gardens and gardening also have the potential for changing behaviors, including the preference for healthy diets and de-tress activities, thus contributing to the prevention and control of chronic diseases [ 206 ].…”

Community Empowerment through Online Training of Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) Cultivation and Its Utilization during the Covid-19 Pandemic for Urban Communities in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia

“…Through this community service, participants were expected to utilize their yards for gardening activities as a function of health improvement and reforestation. Gardening activities and the availability of green areas at home are also therapies to reduce stress levels during the Covid-19 pandemic (Zhang et al 2021;Afrianto et al 2021;Andini et al 2021;Giraud et al 2021;Lin et al 2021;Afrianto and Diannita 2022;Cerda et al 2022;Coyoca et al 2022;Egerer et al 2022;Sia et al 2022). Activities of this community development activities were distributing gardening and education packages through online media ranging from planting, maintaining, and processing the drumstick tree as a home industry business idea to raising residents' income.…”